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.

You are required to complete your degree within a set time limit, which includes any periods of intermission.

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. See re-enrolment for coursework students or re-enrolment for research students.

How to apply

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

Domestic coursework students

Apply for intermission using WES.
Record your transaction number.

International students on a student visa

If you're on a student visa, approval for study leave is given only for compassionate or compelling situations. This means a situation which is beyond your control and impacts on your course progression or wellbeing.

It's important to understand how taking study leave may affect your visa. Your visa may be cancelled if you:

take more than six months study leave and stay in Australia
go home while on study leave and it exceeds 12 months.

To apply

Download an intermission application (pdf 44kb).
Take your application to a Monash Connect adviser to discuss visa implications and have it stamped.
Submit your application as instructed on the form.

Research students

Submit a leave from candidature/scholarship form (pdf 28kb).

South Africa

Submit an intermission application (pdf 44kb) to Student Services.

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.

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 or reversal of loan debt (remission of debt).

Faculty information

For further information specific to your faculty, see below:

Related policy and procedures

6.1 Intermission (Coursework Enrolment Procedures)