Deferring your study

Deferment enables students who have just gained entry to a tertiary program, but who have not yet enrolled, to delay the commencement of their studies for the period of one year.

Undergraduate students

The University will permit commencing undergraduate students to defer their studies for one year except in those programs for which a Faculty can demonstrate that permitting deferral would jeopardise the conduct of the program.

New undergraduate students who wish to take up their study in the following year, will not be required to re-apply through QTAC unless they wish to study a different program.

Honours, Postgraduate and Research students

The University will permit commencing postgraduate and honours students to defer their studies only in documented cases of ill health, financial hardship, overseas travel on a student exchange program or acceptance into the Defence Ready Reserve Scheme or for such other reasons as the Academic Board may determine. For more information:

• Postgraduate and Honours students can contact their Faculty
• Research students can enquire with their Faculty or the Office of Research and Higher Degrees regarding the available options

International Students

Under Department of Immigration and Citizenship regulations, on-campus international students may take a maximum of six months leave of absence. For more information:

• international on-campus students can contact the USQ International
• off-campus international students can contact the USQ International or their USQ Representative.

How to apply

To apply for deferral for an academic year, you will need to:

• submit a formal request to the University containing all relevant information including name, student number, and program enrolled. Requests should be submitted via the 'Ask a Question' tab at USQAssist - question type 'enrolments'. Alternatively, you may mail or fax your request to:

Enrolment Section
Student Administration
University of Southern Queensland
Toowoomba Qld 4350
Fax: +61 7 4631 2893

• If you have applied through QTAC, you will also need to access the QTAC Current Applicant Online Services and respond using the deferment option.

After formal application to defer, students can check the status of their enrolment via USQConnect (you will be required to enter your username and password). Please keep your contact details current as late in the current year you will be advised of enrolment procedures, for the following year. 

Further information

Further information about deferment is available from USQAssist and students should also familiarise themselves with the Deferment - Academic Regulations 5.4.3.