E/4.5 Leave of absence

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4.5.1 Application for leave
4.5.2 Determining applications
4.5.3 Consequences of taking leave of absence
4.5.4 Effect of deferment periods prior to first enrolment
Modification History

This policy should be read in conjunction with the QUT Student Rules and the procedural information provided on the Student Services website .

4.5.1 Application for leave

Leave of absence provides a mechanism for students to respond to various external circumstances that may affect their capacity to undertake their studies. Students may apply to the Registrar for leave of absence from an award course as specified in Student Rule 18 .

However, due to Australian Government visa regulations, international students are strictly limited in the circumstances in which they can apply for leave of absence, and are required to meet conditions other than those described in this policy.

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4.5.2 Determining applications

The Registrar determines the student's application for leave of absence.

(a) General conditions for leave of absence

The Registrar will normally act without referral to approve leave of absence applications where:

• the student is enrolled in an undergraduate award course; and
• the student is applying for leave of absence for a period of no more than one year; and
• the student has completed at least one teaching period of enrolment in the award course; and
• the leave period requested, when combined with earlier periods of leave in the same course, does not exceed one year.

(b) Leave of absence after commencement of studies but prior to completion of first teaching period of enrolment

If the student has commenced studies, but has not completed at least one teaching period of enrolment in the award course, leave of absence may be approved if the Registrar is satisfied that the student has demonstrated exceptional circumstance for taking the leave. All other conditions listed in (a) above must be met before the Registrar may approve leave in these circumstances.

(c) Approval of leave of absence in other circumstances

If the student seeks leave of absence in other circumstances, that is,

• for leave in excess of one year;
• for leave from a postgraduate award course; or
• where the leave period in the application combined with earlier periods of leave in the same course exceeds one year,

the student must demonstrate that exceptional circumstances exist which necessitate taking the leave. In these cases, the Registrar must refer the request to the relevant faculty for recommendation, and should approve the request only upon receiving positive advice from the relevant faculty.

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4.5.3 Consequences of taking leave of absence

Where leave of absence is approved:

• a place in the course will be held for the student for the approved period (normally up to one year). At the end of the period, students are invited to re-enrol. If they do not re-enrol, the student loses their place in the course;
• a student is deemed to have withdrawn from enrolment in all units in accordance with Student Rule 11. In cases where leave of absence is granted after the published withdrawal date for the relevant teaching period, failing grades may be assigned unless the student demonstrates exceptional circumstances for the proposed period of leave;
• the applicant is not an enrolled student of the university for the approved period of absence.

However, a student must apply for re-admission to the award course if:

• the student does not apply for leave of absence before withdrawing from enrolment in all units in a teaching period; or
• the student fails to re-enrol at the conclusion of an approved leave of absence.

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4.5.4 Effect of deferment periods prior to first enrolment

A deferment period prior to first enrolment by a student in an undergraduate award course (see MOPP E/4.1.7 ) is not taken into account in determining whether the conditions described in this policy for approval of leave of absence have been met.

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Modification History

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