Unsatisfactory Academic Progress

For students in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, academic progress in the current academic year will be considered unsatisfactory if they have:

• completed at least two semesters of candidature and, in the period commencing in December of the previous year, failed more than 50% of enrolment; or
• failed the same compulsory unit twice; or
• failed to comply with any terms or conditions imposed by the faculty board under section 5 of the statute or by an academic progress committee of the faculty.

Warning Letters and Early Intervention

As part of the faculty’s intervention strategy warning letters are sent to all students who have failed 50% or more units in a normal semester (semester 1 & 2).

The purpose of the letter is to:

• warn students that they may be at risk of breaching the Faculty's academic progress rules at the end of the year;
• inform students about the free support services available from the faculty and the University;
• notify students of the academic progress rules of the Faculty.

It is essential that students assess the reasons for failing progression rules to date and take any necessary steps to improve academic performance. The facultystrongly recommends that students take preventative measures as soon as possible. These may include:

• Contacting the course convenor, unit coordinator, lecturer or tutor to discuss study difficulties. These staff members can assist students in identifying problem areas and explore the options available to students in that course.
• University Language and Learning Services can assist students with study methods, language skills and work presentation
  http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/
• Seeking assistance from the University Counselling Service if students think personal or other issues, eg. motivation, adjustment or self-confidence, may be affecting achievement in their course. http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/commserv/
• Accessing the Community Services website to find out first hand what to expect if asked attend a hearing and how to prepare for such a meeting.
  http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/community-services/academicprogress/

End of Year Results

Should progression be classed as unsatisfactory, after Semester 2 results are released, the Faculty's Academic Progress Committee will request students to respond to a Notice of Referral. This means that students may be asked to explain in writing and/or in person why their results were unsatisfactory. Students receiving such a letter must reply by the due date and be available to attend a hearing of the Faculty's Academic Progress Committee.

Decisions the Committee may make:

• permit a student to continue studies without further conditions
• permit a student to continue studies with a caution (provided administrative requirements for re-enrolment for the following year are met)
• permit a student to continue studies on a condition (provided administrative requirements for re-enrolment for the following year are met)
• exclude a student from the faculty

Rules & Regulations on Academic Progress

Under the exclusion and exclusion appeals process, introduced in 2002, students who are excluded by their faculty will have limited grounds on which to appeal the faculty's decision. Refer to the following websites for information on University Rules and Regulations:

• Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress - Statute 6.2 
• Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress - Regulations pursuant to Statute 6.2

International Students

International students on a student visa are advised that condition 8202 of their student visa requires that they maintain satisfactory academic progress. Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress may place students in breach of this visa condition.

International students commencing mid year will have their performance reviewed after completing the first two semesters of study within a course. This will occur after semester one release of results. Students who fail progression rules will be considered at a referral meeting and study conditions may be imposed.

For information on the Educational Services Overseas Students (ESOS) Act go to: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/573-1/obligations-student.htm

http://www.monash.edu.au/international/ausgov/

Postal Address

Students must ensure that the University has current postal address details at all times, including during the December – February period. Failure to receive university notices will not be accepted as a ground for appeal against exclusion.Postal addresses may be updated  via WES

Unsatisfactory Academic Progress Documentation

UAP proformas and documentation can be downloaded from this site. Students who think they may have failed the faculty's progress rules and have not received any documentation by mail, are advised to check thier student email account for an email from the faculty asking for response to a 'Notice of Referral'. If this is the case, the following documentation may be used to respond.

Note: These will be available via this site from December – March each year.

• Student response form
• Student Rights Office Exclusions Advice (PDF)

Please refer to the Monash University Secretariat - Unsatisfactory Academic Progress website for the following information:

• University Regulations – Statute 6.2
• Procedures for Faculty Academic Progress Committees  
• Appeals: Information, procedures and forms.