Defer or change your course
If you’re unable to start your course as planned, you may apply to defer your course commencement to a later intake. Deferment is not automatic and must be assessed and approved by the University.
Not sure whether to defer?
If you are unsure whether to defer your course, you are welcome to contact us. We can explain options, timelines, eligibility, and implications (e.g. enrolment, fees, scholarships), and direct you to the correct next step or team if needed. If the decision to defer is linked to academic planning or course structure, we may refer you to your faculty course advice team for tailored academic guidance.
If you are applying through a Monash representative/agent, they are your first point of contact. When in doubt, you can contact us directly.
You may apply for deferment if:
- You have not yet started your course and wish to commence in a later intake, or
- You have already enrolled but the first census date hasn’t passed.
You may consider a different option if:
- You have already started your course, and your first census date has passed – in such case you will need to apply for intermission (study leave) instead; or
- You want to change to a different course – you will need to submit a course preference change request.
Can I defer my course?
- Deferment is generally permitted for up to 12 months, or longer in exceptional circumstances. Please refer to Monash deferment policy for details.
- If you request to defer your course commencement for more than 12 months, you may be required to submit a new application, in which case you will be required to provide us with details of additional studies or work activities undertaken during the determent period.
- Deferment approval is subject to the course availability in the next / future intake and your reason(s) to defer. Your deferment request will not be granted automatically; it will be assessed and approved.
A few things to consider
- Not all scholarships / study grant can be deferred. If you’re a scholarship / study grant holder, you should also check the conditions of your scholarship / study grant before you request a deferral
- If evidence of your English proficiency has expired before the new deferred intake, you will be required to provide us with new evidence, such as a new Monash approved English proficiency test results and meet the new English requirement that prevails for the new intake.
- If your deferment request is approved, you will receive a new offer which will replace any offer previously issued to you. If you’ve enrolled, your current enrolment will be subsequently cancelled.
- If you have been given a place in a quota course, you might not be able to revert back to the original intake once you are given a place in the new intake.
International students
If you are an international student under on a student visa, when submitting a deferral request, you are required to provide us with reasons for the deferral request and evidence to support your claim (when applicable). Your student visa however would not be cancelled if the deferral is for compassionate or compelling reasons. “Compassionate or compelling” circumstances are generally those beyond your control and which have an impact upon your course progress or wellbeing. Please refer to Standard 9 of the National Code for details.
How to defer
- Complete the Deferment Request Form
- Submit your completed form, along with your reason and any supporting documents, to mu.documents@monash.edu or through a Monash representative/agent if applicable.
- You can apply for deferment up to your first census date.
What happens next
- You will be notified of the outcome of your deferral request by email.
- If your request is approved, you will be issued a revised offer with a new commencement date. This revised offer will replace any previous offer issued to you. You will need to accept your new offer to secure your place in the course.
- If you have already accepted your original offer and received a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE):
- You must accept the new offer before a new CoE can be issued.
- Once you accept the new offer, any payments you have already made will be credited to your studies for the new intake.
- If you have already enrolled, your current enrolment will be cancelled as the new offer is issued.
- If you decide not to proceed with the new offer, you must advise Monash immediately of your revised plans.
- If you wish to revert to your original intake, Monash will need to withdraw the new offer and reinstate your originally accepted offer. For quota courses with very limited availability, Monash will first need to confirm that your original place remains available before proceeding with the withdrawal and reinstatement. Note, you may not be able to revert if the places are no longer available.
- If you do not accept the new offer after it has replaced your original offer, you will have no valid offer supporting your current CoE, which will be cancelled after the second week of course commencement.
- Important: If you do not accept the new offer and do not inform Monash of your plans, cancellation of your CoE and enrolment may result in cancellation of your student visa.
Summary
Once you notify Monash of your intention to defer, you will receive an outcome notification. If your deferral is approved, a new offer will be issued and must be accepted as soon as possible, as it replaces your original offer. If you had already accepted your original offer, accepting the new offer will allow a new CoE to be issued. Failure to accept the new offer or to advise Monash of your intentions may result in cancellation of your enrolment and student visa.
To note, once you’ve started your course and your first census date has passed, you won’t be able to defer your course. You may be able to apply for intermission (study leave). Just keep in mind that if you withdraw from units after the census date, you may incur financial and academic penalties.