Intermission (study leave)

Once you have started your course you may choose to take study leave. Usually, leave is granted for a maximum of 12 months at a time. This is one full year or two consecutive semesters. If you need to take a longer period of study leave, you must re-apply when the initial period expires.

While on study leave:

You are still a student of the University
Any enrolled units will be automatically discontinued
To maintain your enrolment you must re-enrol for the following year. For re-enrolment dates, see re-enrolment for coursework students

You are required to complete your degree within a certain timeframe. Check with your faculty whether your study leave will count towards the time limit. See faculty regulations for time limits.

Apply for study leave

Submit an application before the semester census date to limit academic and financial penalties

What happens next?

We notify you within two weeks by email to your Monash account.
Keep checking your Monash email account for important information while you are on study leave
Inform the University of any postal address change so re-enrolment information can be mailed to you

Domestic coursework students

Apply for intermission in WES
Record your transaction number

International coursework students

Fill out the intermission application (pdf 44kb) or pick one up from a student service centre or your faculty office.

Research students

Doctoral:	Download an application from the Monash Research Graduate School
Masters by Research:	Consult the postgraduate adviser in your faculty

International students

International students on a student visa can get study leave only for compassionate or compelling situations.

See visa conditions for international students

Examples of compassionate or compelling situations

Serious illness or serious medical condition affecting your ability to study
Bereavement of a close family member where you need to provide assistance or support
Social or political upheaval in your country affecting your family

'Compelling' means you face a situation where there is little or no alternative but to provide support to your family.

Fee refunds or reversal of loan debt

If you apply for study leave before the census date, you can apply for a refund.

Fees will not be refunded if you discontinue after the census date.

Exception

If you can provide proof that medical reasons or personal trauma occurred after the census date, you can apply for a:

Refund of fees
Reversal of a HELP loan debt

See refunds and reversal of loan debt (remission of debt)