Academic Progress
Satisfactory academic progress
All Monash University students are required to demonstrate satisfactory course progression each year as governed by Part 4 of the Monash University (Academic Board) Regulations.
At the end of each semester period, the Faculty of Law reviews the academic performance of all students enrolled in courses managed by the faculty. The faculty aims to identify students 'at risk' of not making satisfactory course progress, and point them towards remedial actions if progress is being negatively affected by various circumstances.
Unsatisfactory academic progress
Unsatisfactory academic progress is when a student has:
- completed at least two semesters, or three trimesters of study and, in the period commencing in December of the previous year,and failed more than 50% of their enrolment, or
- failed the same unit twice, or
- failed to comply with any terms or conditions imposed by the faculty's Academic Progress Committee, or
- completed at least 2/3 of their candidature and passed 50% or less of their course of study.
If a student commenced their course mid-year or in trimester 2 or 3, academic progress will be reviewed at the end of their first academic year (ie semester 1 or trimester 1 of the following year).
Early warning letters and mid-year intervention
Early warning letters are sent to all students who are at risk of breaching academic progression rules at the end of the year.
Early warning letters also:
* Urge students to take immediate action to improve their academic performance
* Inform students about the support services available from the faculty and the University
Academic progress - International students
International students on a student visa are advised that condition 8202 of their student visa requires that satisfactory academic progress be maintained. Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress may place students in breach of this visa condition. International students who receive an early warning letter are required by the faculty to make a face to face appointment with the Student Services Office or the Program Coordinator to discuss an intervention strategy for their academic progress.
International students commencing mid-year will have their performance reviewed after completing each study period within a course.
Visit the Educational Services Overseas Students (ESOS) Act website for more information.
Getting help
Students who receive an early warning letter must act and take preventative measures as soon as possible. Students are advised to contact the Faculty Undergraduate or Postgraduate Student and Academic Services Office and make an appointment without delay to discuss their particular study difficulties.
To make an appointment:
Undergraduate & Postgraduate students
It is also recommended that students make time to:
- Contact the University Learning Services where help with study methods, language skills and work presentation is available.
- Seek assistance from the university counselling service if there are personal or other issues, (eg. motivation, adjustment or self-confidence) that may be affecting academic achievement.
- Visit the Academic progress concerns website to find out first hand what to expect if requested to attend a hearing and how to prepare for such a meeting.
End of year referral to Academic Progress Committee (APC)
At the end of semester 2 or trimester 3, students who have not met the faculty's rules for satisfactory academic progress will be sent a Notice of Referral letter by the faculty's Academic Progress Committee. Students receiving such a notice will be required to submit a written explanation for their unsatisfactory results. They must reply by the date indicated and be available to attend a hearing before the Academic Progress Committee, if required.
In addition, an email alerting students to the importance of the forthcoming letter will be sent to the Monash email account of the students concerned.
It is important that students remain contactable from December to February, and that contact details are kept current. Failure to receive University notices will not be accepted as grounds for appeal against exclusion. Current postal address may be updated via WES.
Students who are required to appear before the Academic Progress Committee will be notified in writing.
APC decisions
The faculty's Academic Progress Committee will hear a student's case at the appointed time and has the power to make one of the following decisions:
* permit a student to continue studies without further conditions
* permit a student to continue studies with enrolment conditions imposed
* exclude a student from the faculty
Academic progress rules and regulations
Under the exclusions and exclusions appeals process, students who are excluded will have limited grounds on which to appeal the faculty's decision.
Refer to the following web sites for more information:
Unsatisfactory Academic Progress
Re-admission after exclusion
Students should note that re-admission to a Faculty of Law course of study is not guaranteed, and for international students is subject to Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requirements.
Please contact Monash International for detailed information.
Excluded students may apply for re-admission after 12 months. Applications must be in writing and should be addressed to the Faculty Manager, Faculty of Law. Students will only be considered for re-admission if academic rehabilitation can be demonstrated. The best evidence of academic rehabilitation is enrolment in another law school which offers an accredited law course. Students will need to have completed the equivalent of one year's study at the rate of 0.5 or more of full time workload, and achieve a distinction average.
Completion of tertiary studies other than those indicated above, if completed after exclusion, may be considered in support of an application for re-admission, but the faculty would need to be satisfied that results in those studies demonstrate an ability to progress in a Monash Law degree and achieve a timely completion.
You can obtain independent advocacy, advice and assistance from Student Rights Officers. Student Rights Officers can assist you in your written response, in preparing for a possible hearing, and accompanying you to your hearing.