Take a Break from Study (Intermission)
Intermission Information for Arts Students
To take a break from your course you must apply for intermission to the Faculty of Arts. Intermission may be granted for either one or two semesters.
Keep in mind, if you do take a break from your course, Monash University still expects you to check your student email account while on intermission.
Further intermission information is provided here:
- Who Can Apply for Intermission?
- Should you Apply to Defer Instead?
- How to Apply?
- Important Dates and Penalties
- Returning to study
Who Can Apply for Intermission?
Most students are eligible to apply to take a break from study. Monash Arts will grant intermission for either one or two semesters.
Intermission will only be approved if you can still meet the requirements of your course within the time limit for completion. see below for information.
In addition, if you are studying on an international student visa, your application can only be approved under compassionate or compelling circumstances. See Monash Intermission Information.
Time limit for Course Completion
Any period of intermission you take will count towards the time limit for the completion of your course. The course structure policy stipulates the number of years a student can take to complete their course.See Monash Course Structure Policy.
Take a Longer Period of Intermission
Intermission may be granted for a maximum of one year at a time. If you need to take a longer period of intermission, you must reapply for intermission when the initial period expires.
Your intermission application will only be approved if you can still meet the requirements of your course within the time limit for completion.
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Should You Apply to Defer Instead?
You should submit an application to defer if:
- you have just received an offer, or
- you are in the first semester of your course and it is prior to the census date.
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How to Apply
Different application methods apply for domestic and international students on a student visa.
Domestic Students
You can apply for intermission via any one of the following methods:
- Via the Web Enrolment System (WES)
- Login to WES
- From the WES homepage select ‘Apply for course intermission’.
- Submit a hardcopy Intermission Application to the Faculty of Arts
- Download intermission application from Monash Student Services: Student Forms.
- Take form to the Faculty of Arts office on your home campus for assessment.
- View Contact Arts Student Services for office locations and contact details.
- Send an email from your Monash Student Account requesting a period of intermission.
- In your email, please include your student identification number and details of the semester you intend to return to study.
- View Contact Arts Student Services for campus email details.
International Students
The process for applying for international students on a student visa is:
- Complete an Intermission Application
- Download intermission application from Monash Student Forms
- You must include certified supporting documentation. The intermission application form provides further information on required documentation. Please read this carefully.
- Consult Monash Health and Wellbeing
- You must first discuss your application with and International Student Adviser from Health and Wellbeing. They will take you through the visa implications for taking intermission and stamp your application.
- See Contact an International Student Adviser for locations and contact details
- Take form to the Faculty of Arts office on your home campus for assessment
- View Contact Arts Student Services for office locations and contact details.
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Intermission Dates and Penalties
If your application for intermission is approved any enrolled units will be automatically discontinued. Depending on when you apply for intermission certain academic and financial penalties may apply.
See KeyDates.
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Return to Study After Intermission
When Should You Re-enrol in Units?
Re-enrolment commences in October every year for the following academic year. Failure to re-enrol during the official re-enrolment period will result in a late re-enrolment fee. Monash University commences emailing students with re-enrolment information every September. See Re-enrolment Information.
Return Early From Intermission
If you want to resume your studies early you must contact the Faculty of Arts.
You cannot resume your studies via the Web Enrolment System (WES) without the Faculty of Arts updating your details on the student database system.
Instead, you can either:
- Complete an Enrolment Form at the Faculty of Arts Office on your home campus.
View Contact Arts Student Services for office locations and contact details. - Or you can send an email from your Monash Student Account requesting an early return from intermission. In your email, please include your student identification number, and details of the units you intend to study. For email addresses, see Contact Arts Student Services.
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