Leave of Absence or Suspension
Introduction
Undergraduate study
Postgraduate study
Steps to follow
Additional information for international students
Re-enrolment after a leave of absence
Introduction
Students wishing to take a break from study in their award course are able to request a suspension (also referred to throughout the University as course leave or leave of absence). If approved, a suspension means students can spend a period away from their course without losing their place in that award course. If a student takes leave from their studies without an approved suspension, their candidature will be deemed to have lapsed. In this situation students will need to apply for re-admission to their award course, normally through UAC in the case of local students, or to the International Office in the case of International students.
A suspension is different to a deferral. A deferral is for commencing students who have yet to begin their degree and want to delay their start date. Once you enrol, if you elect to take leave it is called a 'suspension or leave of absence' and you are unable to 'suspend your studies' in your first year of candidature.
The minimum period that you can request to suspend your studies is for one semester, and the maximum period is 2 semesters (1 year) at a time.
Undergradaute study
Undergraduate Bachelor degree
With permission, local students can suspend their candidature for up to 4 semesters in total throughout the course of their bachelor degree. A student can only apply to suspend for 2 semesters at a time however. International students can suspend their candidature for up to 2 semesters in total throughout the course of their bachelor degree.
Students are required to complete their degree requirements within 10 calendar years from commencement, and this includes any semester(s) of suspension.
Undergraduate Diploma
With permission, local and international students can suspend their candidature for up to 2 semesters in total throughout the course of their diploma.
Postgraduate study
With permission, local and international students can suspend their candidature for up to 2 semesters in total throughout the course of their degree.
Students are required to complete their postgraduate course requirements within 4 calendar years from commencement of their degree. If a student is permitted to suspend, the same length of time (either one or two semesters) will be added to this time limit.
Steps to follow
- Suspension requests are due on or before the census date for the given semester. Suspension requests received by the Faculty Office after the census date cannot be approved. Students are advised to contact the Faculty as soon as they decide that they wish to, or need to suspend.
- The student needs to complete and submit the appropriate form (see 'Forms' in the top right hand corner of this page).
- Students will receive a response via email that will include instructions on how to re-enrol at the end of the requested suspension.
- Scholarship holders must notify the Research Office of any periods of absence.
Additional information for international students
International students will also need to submit appropriate supporting documentation demonstrating illness or severe unforeseeable misadventure if they wish to suspend. This documentation can include:
- a Professional Practitioner Certificate issued by a medical practitioner, psychologist or counsellor.
- an official document certifying the student is required to take Military service.
Re-enrolment after a leave of absence
Students must apply to re-enrol after a suspension.
Failure to re-enrol after a leave of absence will cause a student’s candidature to lapse. In this case you will need to apply to be re-admitted to the degree. In most cases local students will need to apply to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) and International Students will need to apply to the International Office.
If you have already reached the maximum allowable suspensions in your degree, and wish to take time away from your studies, you must discontinue your degree and reapply again through either UAC or the International Office.