Monash University: University handbooks: Student Resource Guide
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Taking a break from your studies (intermission)

If you are currently enrolled and wish to take a break in your studies, for example if you are experiencing difficulties during the year, or want to take a year off from study, you must apply for intermission. If your faculty grants you an intermission, this means a place is reserved for you in your course. Intermission is normally granted for no more than one calendar year at a time (two consecutive semesters). If you need a longer period of intermission, you need to speak to your faculty to see if this is possible and if so how to apply.

If you undertake any other studies while on intermission from your course, you will not normally be able to receive credit for those studies towards your course of study at Monash. You are also not likely to be granted intermission if your enrolment is conditional.

While on intermission, you are considered to be a student of the university for the period of the intermission. In order to maintain your enrolment after this time, you must observe the scheduled re-enrolment dates for the following year. During your period of intermission, you must maintain current address details with the university in order for you to receive the re-enrolment documentation that will be despatched.

The maximum period of intermission you may take from your course may vary between faculties (but will not exceed one year for each period of intermission granted), and will depend in whether you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student. Periods granted as intermission normally count as part of the total time limit that you are allowed for completion of your degree* (see also 'Maximum time for completion of a course' in section 2.1 Legislation, policies and codes).

If you are in receipt of a scholarship, or enrolled in a course with compulsory clinical/fieldwork placements etc, or your course has any other special requirements, you should be aware that taking a period of intermission may have implications. For example Bachelor of Accounting students who take intermissions may be required to relinquish their scholarship.

Where it is identified that a period of intermission will prevent you from following the approved course progression, the faculty reserves the right to reject your application. You should also carefully note the deadlines for submitting applications for intermission, as there may be implications for the refund of fees.

* Business and Economics students note: The period of approved intermission is not counted in the time limit for completion of graduate courses in the faculty.

International students

If you are on an international student visa and studying at an Australian campus, then in accordance with the ESOS Act, exceptional circumstances must exist for intermission to be approved, eg on grounds of genuine illness or for compassionate reasons. You will be required to provide supporting documentation regarding your application. If you take intermission without proper authorisation from your faculty you may be in breach of your visa conditions.

If you are an international student at Monash Malaysia, you will also need to obtain approval for intermission from the International Student Services Unit by submitting your 'Application to intermit' form with the unit.

If you are on an international student visa, regardless of the campus on which you are studying and you have been granted intermission, you must return to your home country.

Research students

If you are a candidate for a doctoral degree or masters by research, you may apply for an intermission of studies. Doctoral and MPhil candidates should consult chapter 4 the 'Handbook for Doctoral and MPhil Degrees' available at w ww.mrgs.monash.edu.au/research/doctoral/index.html, and candidates for the degree of masters by research should consult the postgraduate adviser in your faculty.

Applying for intermission

• Applications for intermission by coursework students can be done via the Web Enrolment System (WES) at https://my.monash.edu.au/wes/ or by using the 'Application to intermit' form available from faculty offices.
• Forms for applications by PhD and MPhil students are available from www.mrgs.monash.edu.au/research/students/variations.html.
• Masters by research students should contact their faculty.

Re-enrolling after an intermission

If you are returning to study after an approved intermission, you will be sent information regarding specific dates and the method of re-enrolment via your Monash email address and to your postal address. During your period of intermission, you must maintain current address details with the university in order to receive the re-enrolment documentation that will be mailed.

Failure to notify the university of any change of address will not be accepted as a valid reason for failing to re-enrol within the specified time.