What Does It Mean When a Class Has Variable Units? (3-5, etc.)
Sometimes you will see classes listed for variable amounts of units, such as 3-5. It's not a typo, but it may mean different things!
What do variable units mean?
When a course is listed with variable units (such as 3-5), it usually means one of two things:
Case 1: Workload Variation
The number of units reflects the amount of work you will do in the course. For instance, students enrolled in the 3-unit version of the course may just meet for a lecture and have to write just one paper. But students enrolled for 5 units may also need to meet for an additional discussion section, give an in-class presentation, and write a paper. If this is a true variable-workload class, the differences in workload should be explained in the course syllabus. For some classes with a range like 3-5 units, students may enroll in 3, 4, or 5 units. Other classes may require students to enroll for either 3 or 5 units.
Beginning in Autumn 2025, variable-unit courses will have unit enrollment instructions listed in Navigate Classes. If the difference between units remains unclear, be sure to speak with the course instructor. You must decide which unit version of the class you wish enroll in by the Week 3 Final Study List deadline.
Case 2: Different Student Groups
Some courses are designed to allow you to take the course for a different amount of units depending on what type of student you are: for example, whether you are an undergraduate or a graduate student, whether you have declared a certain major, etc.
For example, graduate students may be directed to enroll in CS 106A for 3 units, while undergraduates must enroll in the course for 5 units in order to receive a grade. If you are an undergraduate student, you must select the unit enrollment option appropriate to your student-type in order to receive a grade.
To give another example, English 12A must be taken by English majors for 5 units. If you're not an English major, you can choose whether to take the course for 3 units or 5 units. There will likely be a difference in workload for the 3 and 5 unit versions, as mentioned above.
Pay careful attention to the variable unit enrollment notes in Navigate Classes for detailed instructions. Units can be selected during the enrollment process and changed in Navigate Enrollment or Simple Enroll.
Not Sure? Ask!
Whatever the situation, it’s always good to check with the instructor when it’s a variable unit course and ask what the difference means. You can only adjust the number of units you are taking through Friday of Week 3 (the Final Study List Deadline), so make your decision and make sure your record in Axess is correct by then.
When you are enrolling several weeks in advance, it's fine to pick a temporary number of units, just be sure to adjust it later as you get more information.
How many units should I choose?
If the course has given you a true "workload variation" choice, then it's up to you. Think about your total course workload this quarter and how much time you think you'll have to devote to the assignments.
If you are taking the course to satisfy a Ways requirement, typically you must enroll in it for at least 3 units, but there's no need to take on more than that unless you want to. (The exception is Way-CE, which only requires 2 units total.) Be sure to review the syllabus for instructions on enrollment.
If the course is in a field you might like to major in someday, be sure to look up that major's requirements on either the Stanford Bulletin or on the department's website. In certain cases, you will need to take the course for the maximum amount of units if you'd like it to count towards your major.
When do I have to decide?
You must make your final decision about which unit version of the course you'd like to take by the Final Study List Deadline, which is always 5 pm on the Friday of week 3. It is generally not possible to decide to change unit count for a course after that deadline.