For students
Deferring, transferring or withdrawing from a course
Deferral of studies
Deferral means putting your studies on hold for a semester or a year. Students might interrupt their studies for many reasons, including:
- Personal issues, sickness or illness, other commitments
- Travelling within Australia or overseas
- Working part-time or full-time
- Volunteering
- Getting experience in their field
Many students also defer their studies when not happy with their course, as this gives them time to look at alternative courses and careers, talk to people and conduct a self-assessment, whilst still securing their place in their current course. Speaking with a careers consultant could be useful in helping you plan your time away from university.
If you wish to defer from your course, you will need to contact your relevant faculty office.
Further information
Course transfer
Do you think you are in the wrong course? Do you want to change to another one? There are many reasons why people feel unsettled, particularly in the early stages of their time at university. If you are sure you know which course you wish to transfer to, you should talk to the school/university conducting the course to see if you can transfer, before making a decision to withdraw from your current course. Choosing different subjects may be helpful; in this case see a Course Adviser in your current faculty.
If you know only that the current course is not suitable and do not know what alternative course to study, it is important that you don't rush into another course without thinking carefully about what will suit you. Try doing some self assessment exercises - the My Future website is a good place to start. You can then use the Job Guide to find out about specific jobs that might suit you and what you need to do in order to get into that career.
Further information
Course withdrawal
Course withdrawal is also known as discontinuation of enrolment. It is important that you are certain of your decision, as after you withdraw from a course, you are not longer an enrolled student at La Trobe.