Leaving the University of Wollongong
What are my options?
Going to another Provider
Been at UOW less than 6 Months
If you have been at this University for less than 6 months and have not completed either Autumn or Spring Session, then you need to apply for a Letter of Release.
The University will only grant a student a Letter of Release if they can show that there are exceptional circumstances that prevent the student from completing 6 months study at any University of Wollongong campus. These circumstances must be supported by relevant documentation.
If you need a letter of release you will be unable to enrol at another institution unless you have received a letter of release from the University of Wollongong. If you enrol at another institution before you are released then you will be in breach of your student visa.
Please note: You must continue your enrolment at the University of Wollongong as though you WILL NOT be granted a letter of release. This way if your application is denied you will not be breaching your student visa.
Exceptional Circumstances for which a letter of release may be granted
Special circumstances apply to the student if the University is satisfied that the circumstances:
- Are beyond the control of the student and the student is not responsible.
- Impacts the student after the i) acceptance of their offer; ii) once a student is enrolled at UOW courses.
- Circumstances that make it NOT possible for the student to complete 6 months of study at the University of Wollongong. These include the following:
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- Medical Grounds: These include (but are not limited to) serious illness or injury, hospitalization, treatment programs, existing medical conditions or disability resulting in a decline of a person's health which impacts the student's ability to continue studying at a UOW campus.
- Compassionate Grounds: A student may be affected by suffering or misfortune and is unable to continue studying a UOW campus.
- Course Related Circumstances: These include (but are not limited to) where the University has changed a course that it had offered and the person is disadvantaged by not being able to complete the course.
- Government Sponsored Students: Any government sponsor of a student considers a change of provider to be in the student's best interest and provided written support for that change.
Supporting Documentation
In order for a Leave of Absence application to be processed, students must submit all relevant original documentation. Here are some the guidelines that you should follow:
- All documentation must be original. If you cannot submit original documentation, a certified copy may be handed in.
- All documentation must be in English or if that is not possible, a certified and signed translated copy can be submitted.
- All supporting documentation must indicate the exact dates of the event or circumstance and how this will affect the application. Examples of relevant original documentation include (but are not limited to) medical certificates, death notice/certificate, police reports, et cetera.
- You must provide the University dates with your departure dates and when you plan to come back. To support this, you will have to provide ‘evidence of your departure’ by submitting copies of your ticket, itinerary, copy of your passport page with the Australian Immigration stamp, et cetera.
- All documentation should be submitted to Student Central to accompany the form either by hand or by post.
Circumstances for which a letter of release will NOT be granted:
- Insufficient evidence of special circumstances
- You have changed your mind about what degree you wish to study.
- Avoiding being reported to DIAC for breaching student visa obligations and conditions.
- Living a long distance away from campus or are having travel difficulties.
- Living with a relative who is not local
- Working outside of the local area
- Subjects not available on campus
Appeals for Letter of Release
If you have been denied a Letter of Release and you wish to appeal this process, you have to appeal this decision within 10 working days. Grounds for consideration of an appeal include:
- Lack of due process
- Relevant new or additional information presently available which may alter the outcome of the previous decision.
If this appeal is declined and the student is not satisfied with the outcome, a student may appeal externally to the NSW Ombudsman within 10 workings days. The student must advise the University in writing that they are going to appeal externally at the same time.
You do NOT need a letter of release if:
- If you have been studying at the University of Wollongong for 6 months or more, you have met the requirements your student visa and do not require a Letter of Release from the University of Wollongong in order to change provider. You should, however, complete a "Course Withdrawal - International" form.
- If you do not meet the conditions on your letter of offer, the offer is not valid. You will only require a Letter of Release if you have actually commenced your course at the University of Wollongong . The University can issue a statement that you have not met the entry criteria for your course if you require it.
- If you simply wish to return to your home country and do not wish to continue studying in Australia . You should, however, complete a "Course Withdrawal - International" form.
- International students who are NOT on a student visa are not bound by this condition and therefore do not have to submit this form.
PLEASE NOTE: Submission of an application for a letter of release has no bearing on the student's financial relationship with the University. It cannot be used to seek a refund, nor does submission of it entitle the student to one. If the student believes they meet the conditions of the University's Refund Policy, they will need to submit an "International Application for Refund of Fees" form available from the Forms website.
For an enrolled student, you can apply for a Letter of Release via SOLS. Students who are not yet enrolled, the Letter of Release form is available online from the Forms Website.
Been at UOW (not Wollongong College Australia) for more than 6 Months or completed a Session (or two Graduate School of Business Intakes)
If you have been studying at UOW (not Wollongong College Australia) for more than 6 months or have completed a Session (or two Graduate School of Business Intakes), then you only need to advise the University by filling in a Course Withdrawal - International form.
Filling in the Course Withdrawal - International form is the formal way of advising the University of Wollongong that you no longer wish to study here. Under your student visa obligations, you need to tell the University if you cease study or move institutions. If you are moving institutions you need to provide a copy of your unconditional offer letter as well as a brief statement as to why you are leaving.
PLEASE NOTE: Submission of the Course Withdrawal - International form has no bearing on your financial relationship with the University. It cannot be used to seek a refund, nor does submission of it entitle the student to one. If the student believes they meet the conditions of the University's Refund Policy, they will need to submit an "International Application for Refund of Fees" form available from the Forms website.
You can apply for the Course Withdrawal - International form via SOLS.
Going back to your home country
If you no longer wish to study in Australia and are returning home you need to formally advise the University that you are ceasing your study and returning home. To do this you need to complete the Course Withdrawal - International form.
You will need to provide flight details, departure date and a brief explanation of why you are leaving the University.
Filling in the Course Withdrawal - International form is the formal way of advising the University of Wollongong that you no longer wish to study here. Under your student visa obligations, you need to tell the University if you cease study or move institutions.
PLEASE NOTE: Submission of the Course Withdrawal - International form has no bearing on your financial relationship with the University. It cannot be used to seek a refund, nor does submission of it entitle the student to one. If the student believes they meet the conditions of the University's Refund Policy, they will need to submit an "International Application for Refund of Fees" form available from the Forms website.
You can apply for the Course Withdrawal - International form via SOLS.
Notifications to DIAC
Any time a student changes their enrolment status with the University of Wollongong, DIAC will be notified. Here are some examples (but not limited to) that UOW will notify DIAC:
- Student has been granted a Release from UOW
- Student has submitted a Course Withdrawal - International form and it has been approved
- Student is cancelled for non-payment of fees
- Student has an approved Leave of Absence
- Student has not enrolled with the University of Wollongong.
If you have questions regarding your visa, you should contact DIAC directly. Failure to hand in a Course Withdrawal - International form and failing to re-enroll at UOW will result in being reported to DIAC.
Please note: In some cases, being 'reported' to DIAC does not mean the automatic cancellation of your student visa. In most cases, a student will have up to 28 days to contact DIAC about their student visa. All questions/enquiries should be referred to DIAC.
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