Deferring your studies

Deferring your studies means that you have received an offer to enrol in a course but have been given permission by the institution to delay the start of your course for a fixed period, which is usually 6 months or 1 year.

You need to apply to defer your studies before you enrol in your course. Once you are enrolled in your course, if you wish to take leave it is called applying for a suspension or leave of absence and you are bound by a different set of rules.

The option to defer your studies is open to all recent high school graduates. If you are not a recent high school graduate then you will need to demonstrate that there has been extraordinary and unpredictable change in your circumstances if you wish to defer. Otherwise you will need to reapply through UAC when your circumstances change and you can begin your studies. Further UAC application fees will apply.

Information on how to defer your studies, and all the relevant deadlines, will be included in your offer letter. Please read it carefully. You will need to reapply through UAC when you wish to take up your deferred place, either in the next semester or the following year. You will need to use the same course code when reapplying, so we would encourage you to keep copies of all relevant correspondence.

See also

Leave of Absense or Suspension

University Admissions Centre (UAC)