Leave of Absence, Suspension & Withdrawal

Under special circumstances, a student may be permitted to take a leave of absence on a term basis, for a period of up to 12 months. This is granted in cases of health problems, financial difficulty, urgent family affairs or job-related problems. In all cases, the completed Application Form for Leave of Absence, together with supporting documents including an explanatory letter and the recommendation from the respective Programme Director, shall reach the Taught Postgraduate Studies Section (TPSS) at least four weeks prior to the term examination period. Late application may not be processed or may incur additional study related fees.

TPSS will notify the students of the application result. For successful applications, students will be notified of the approved leave period.

Upon expiration of the leave period, students must resume their studies. For leave of absence approved on medical grounds, a medical document certifying that students are fit for study may be required before students are allowed to resume studies. If students fail to report to TPSS according to schedule, they will be classified as having unofficially withdrawn from the University.

During the term period, if students have missed/will miss a class(es) and/or an assessment(s) due to illness, injury, or other personal emergencies, such students should apply in writing and provide sufficient documentary proof(s) to the course instructors and Department Head/Programme Director concerned for consideration within five days after the absence. It is the students’ responsibility to seek advice/approval from the course instructors and Department Head/Programme Director concerned on whether arrangement could be made for making up any outstanding academic requirements during the leave period.

Suspension

Students may be required by the University to have their studies suspended for a period up to 12 months as a disciplinary sanction. Certain conditions may be applicable to the students in which they must satisfy before they are allowed to resume studies and/or after they have resumed studies. If the students cannot meet such conditions, they may be required to further suspend studies or withdraw from the University. For suspension period lasting for one term or more, a remark regarding the student’s’ suspension of studies will be shown on the academic transcript.

Upon expiration of the suspension period, the student must return to their studies. If the students fail to report to the Taught Postgraduate Studies Section (TPSS) of the Academic Registry according to schedule, they will be classified as having unofficially withdrawn from the University.

Withdrawal

Students intending to leave the University prior to graduation must apply for official withdrawal (Application Form for Official Withdrawal). A student who leaves the University without following the proper procedures will be considered as having unofficially withdrawn from the University. No official documents will be issued to such a student, and he/she will not be re-admitted in the future to any programme. Unofficially withdrawn students are required to pay a fee to reinstate their student status.

For official withdrawal, students must complete the clearance procedures at the department/programme office, Library, Office of Student Affairs, Finance Office and the Taught Postgraduate Studies Section (TPSS). Students must settle the outstanding tuition fee and other necesssary fees before an official withdrawal status is given by TPSS.

Upon completion of all necessary procedures, TPSS will inform students the effective date of the official withdrawal.