International Student — Overload Rejected, Visa and Graduation at Serious Risk. Please Help.
Hi everyone,
I really need some advice or support from anyone who’s been through something similar.
I’m an international student studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, and right now it feels like everything I’ve worked for over the past three years is falling apart.
In Year 2 Trimester 2, I failed SLE221 (System Physiology) with a grade of 46.
Then in Year 3 Trimester 1, I couldn’t secure a placement in time for SLE301 (Work Integrated Learning), so I had to unenroll and push it to Trimester 2.
My plan was to overload SLE301 into Trimester 2, pass all my units, and then apply for Final Unit to Complete (FUTC) for SLE221, which would allow me to graduate on time.
To even be eligible to apply for a placement, I had to unenroll from SLE357 to make room for SLE301. I submitted an early overload request, hoping the process would be quick since the enrolment deadline is very close to the release of results, but the application was rejected before results were even released, based on the rule that students can't have failed any units in the last two trimesters.
I understand that I technically don’t meet the policy, I failed one unit in the past two trimesters, but I hoped the university would give some tolerance. I study with my best effort i could in Trimester 1 to recover academically, and I truly believe I’m capable of handling five units this trimester. My WAM is over 70, and I’ve consistently managed a full workload.
What’s more frustrating is that the decision was only reviewed by a student advisor. Is there anyone higher up I can escalate this to like a course director, faculty director.
Because of this rejection, my course map is now FRIED. I’ll be forced into an intermission in 2026 Trimester 1, and will have only two units left in Trimester 2, which my student visa doesn’t allow, since international students are required to be enrolled full-time. That means there’s a very real chance I won’t be allowed to stay in (or return to) Australia just to finish those two units, effectively making the last three years a complete waste.
Has anyone ever successfully appealed an overload rejection? Is there any way to escalate this through compassionate or special consideration? I'm really desperate to find help.
Thank you so, so much to anyone who takes the time to read this. Any advice would mean the world to me right now.
If any of above doesnt make sense please DM me i really need all the help possible.
Posted Jun 30, 2025, 3:12 AM UTC