Leave Of Absence Policy
Leave of Absence
Leave of Absence provides for a period that is not counted towards your maximum period of candidature. For example, if you simply do not enrol because you went overseas for a year, then that year would still be calculated as part of your maximum period of candidature. If you apply for Leave of Absence that year away will not be counted. All courses in this Faculty have limits upon the periods of candidature and you should apply for Leave of Absence if you know you will not study that semester.
Students with temporary resident/student visas must seek advice from the International Office before applying for Leave of Absence. If you take leave of absence, you may no longer be eligible to stay in Australia.
Leave of Absence is not a deferment - deferment is the postponement of the commencement of your studies and is, accordingly, not appropriate if you have already started.
Eligibility
All students in courses administered by the Faculty of the Sciences are eligible for Leave of Absence except PhD students who are governed by a separate UNE PhD policy.
Application Process
Application for a leave of absence should be made in writing and forwarded to:
Student Centre
University of New England
Armidale NSW 2351
You may fax (02 6773 4400) or email ( studentcentre@une.edu.au) your application.
You should include a simple statement that you wish to apply for leave for leave of absence, some indication of the reason(s) and the length of the period you require. The reason can simply be "family matters", "ill health" or "travel". We do not require a detailed history.
Application Deadlines
We will not normally grant leave of absence for the current semesters after the census dates of either 31 March (Semester 1) or 31 August (Semester 2) have passed.
Retrospective grants of leave of absence may be accepted at the Course Coordinator's discretion if adequate reasons for the late application are given. This decision is final.
Length of Absence
We allow up to one-year (two consecutive semesters) leave of absence in a single application.
The maximum total period of absence that may be granted is:
Bachelor degrees: We allow up to four semesters in total.
All other courses: We allow up to two semesters in total.
At the Course Coordinator's discretion, you may be allowed more than this limit but this will be heavily dependent upon your course progress to date and your circumstances. You may find that we need more detail of your reasons if you request more than the maximum.
If you require longer than the maximum that can be granted, you will be withdrawn from candidature. However, there is little difficulty in reapplying - a simple letter to the Student Centre is all that is required. Unless you have a difficult academic history (for example, lots of failures or withdrawals), it is rare for re-admission to be refused or for conditions to be placed upon your readmission. The relevant Course Coordinator will decide whether to readmit you.
Consequences of taking Leave of Absence
The principal consequence is that when you return from Leave of Absence (or you are readmitted) the new degree rules then in force will be applied to you. You will normally find us to be as flexible as possible about prerequisites, corequisites etc. that may have changed since you last enrolled. However, please be alert to possible changes and we strongly recommend that you obtain a copy of the latest degree rules when you return.
Re-enrolment
If you are an internal student, call at the Student Centre on your return.
If you are an external student, we will normally send you an annual enrolment pack in October. If this has not arrived by November, contact us. If you take Leave of Absence for First Semester having enrolled in the previous November for the whole year as normal, or only for Second Semester, then you need do nothing and your Second Semester enrolment will be automatically activated. Otherwise, contact the Student Centre.
Right to Appeal
The Faculty Student Affairs Committee hears appeals on applications for leave of absence. You must lodge the appeal in writing within one month of the decision being received. The Committee's decision is final.
If a subsequent appeal in writing against the decision of the Student Affairs Committee is lodged, it will be referred to the Dean. If your appeal is unsuccessful at Faculty level, you may appeal in writing to the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic).
If you are unhappy with the Pro-Vice Chancellor's decision, contact the UNE University Ombudsman.
The duties and powers of the University Ombudsman are published in the UNE Handbook. The Ombudsman will receive appeals after the processes of investigation and appeal have been exhausted. The Ombudsman can only make decisions upon the processing of your complaint/appeal, not upon the issues that you have raised. If the Ombudsman finds that there has been maladministration, then the Ombudsman can have the matter referred back for a new review with the appropriate errors pointed out to the Faculty.
Standing Committee Approval: 9 August 2000
Faculty ApprovalL 16 August 2000
Ratified by Faculty Teaching & Learning Committee: 12 November 2003
Revised following the establishment of the Student Centre: 15 June 2004