You are here

Withdrawing from subjects

Students who wish to withdraw from a subject should first read through the information below carefully.

Depending on when you withdraw from a subject, there may be financial and/or academic penalties. Refer to the table below for steps on how to withdraw from a subject and withdrawal outcomes depending on the date you withdraw.

Important: Withdrawing from a tutorial or class within a subject does not withdraw you from that subject. You must follow the steps below in order to withdraw fully from a subject.

If you are an HDR student, please contact the Graduate Research School at graduate-research-school@uow.edu.au for subject withdrawals or queries on enrolment variations.

Withdrawing from a subject

Timing Process to withdraw Outcome

Withdrawing on or before the session’s census date

Refer to the key dates page for census dates for each session.

Learn more about Census date (requires login)
  1. Log in to SOLS
  2. Select ‘Enrolment and Variations’ from the Enrolment SOLS menu
  3. Click the red ‘Withdraw’ button against the relevant subject. Repeat this step for all enrolled subjects from which you wish to withdraw.
  • Subject will have a ‘Withdrawn’ status on your enrolment record
  • Subject is removed from your academic transcript (official university record)
  • You are not liable for the subject fee
  • If withdrawing from all your subjects for the session, you should apply for a leave of absence.

Withdrawing after the session’s census date but before the last date to withdraw without academic penalty

Refer to the key dates page for census dates and last dates to withdraw without academic penalty for each session.
  1. Log in to SOLS
  2. Select ‘Enrolment and Variations’ from the Enrolment SOLS menu
  3. Click the red ‘Withdraw’ button against the relevant subject. Repeat this step for all enrolled subjects from which you wish to withdraw.
  • Subject will have a ‘Withdrawn’ status on your enrolment record.
  • Subject is removed from your academic transcript (official university record)
  • You remain liable for subject fees
  • If withdrawing from all your subjects for the session, you should apply for a leave of absence

Withdrawing after the last date to withdraw without academic penalty and up until 10 working days after the release of your result for the subject

Refer to the key dates page for last dates to withdraw without academic penalty and result release dates for each session.

 Complete the Subject Management form
  • You cannot withdraw yourself via SOLS
  • Applications will only be considered in Compassionate and Compelling circumstances (see below)
  • Subject will have an ‘Approved Withdrawal’ status on your enrolment record.
  • Subject is removed from your academic transcript (official university record)
  • You remain liable for subject fees
  • If withdrawing from all your subjects for the session, you should apply for a leave of absence

Withdrawing 10 or more working days after the release of your result for the subject

Refer to the key dates page for result release dates for each session.

First, make an appointment with your Head of Students to seek academic advice - email askuow@uow.edu.au for assistance.

Next, complete the Subject Management form
  • Applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances which prevented you from applying to withdraw from the subject earlier. See below for further information
  • Subject will have an ‘Approved Withdrawal’ status on your enrolment record.
  • Subject is removed from your academic transcript (official university record)
  • You remain liable for subject fees.
  • If withdrawing from all your subjects, you should apply for a retrospective leave of absence

Compassionate and Compelling circumstances

Every situation is unique, and eligibility for compassionate and compelling circumstances is determined on a case-by-case basis. When making an application to withdraw from a subject/s, you must include supporting documentation to support your claims. These situations can include, but are not limited to:

  • Medical illnesses or injuries that prevent you from participating in your studies
  • Witnessing a serious accident or being the victim of a serious crime
  • Unexpectedly having to take up caring responsibilities for a close family member
  • Situation where you are unable to participate in studies where no additional learning opportunities can be provided.

For more information relating to compassionate and compelling circumstances, please refer to the Compassionate and Compelling Circumstances Guidelines.

Fee refunds / remission of HELP

If you have been approved for a late withdrawal due to compassionate and compelling circumstances, you are still liable for the subject fees. This means that you will forfeit any upfront payments, and any fees deferred onto HELP will be added to your cumulative HELP debt.

After you have been approved for a late withdrawal, you may be eligible for a refund of fees/remission of HECS/FEE-HELP if you can demonstrate special circumstances that:

• Were beyond your control; and
• Did not occur, or their full impact was not known until after the census date; and
• Made it impracticable for you to complete your study requirements.

Refer to either domestic or international refunds for further information about eligibility and how to apply.