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Academic progress
Academic Progress is UC’s process for monitoring your academic performance and providing early support if needed.
If you’re enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program at the University of Canberra, you need to make satisfactory academic progress. This means passing enough units to meet the minimum standards set out in UC’s Academic Progress Rules, Policies and Procedures.
| Academic Standing | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Good Standing | Pass rate above 75% |
| Academic Concern | Pass rate between 50% and 75% |
| Academic Probation | Pass rate below 50% OR repeated unit fails |
| Suspension | Failure to meet probation conditions |
How is your standing determined?
Twice per year, usually in June and December your academic standing is reviewed.
Your pass rate is calculated based on the number of units you pass, divided by the number of units you have attempted in the previous 6 months.
Good Standing
You are in Good Standing if you pass all your units or maintain a pass rate above 75%. There are no conditions or restrictions on your enrolment.
Academic Concern
Academic Concern is an early intervention strategy. It means your recent results show a pass rate of at least 50% and up to including 75%, or you’ve failed one or more units.
- There are no enrolment restrictions.
- UC uses this stage to make sure you know about available support services.
- You are encouraged to complete an Academic Improvement Questionnaire (AIQ) and work with UC staff to create an Academic Improvement Plan (AIP).
- If your results don’t improve, you may move to Academic Probation.
Example: Ben started studying in Semester 1, 2026. He took four units and failed one. Because his pass rate for the semester is 75%, his academic standing is “Academic Concern”.
Academic Probation
Academic Probation is a formal warning stage. It applies if your pass rate falls below 50% OR you fail the same unit more than once.
You can still enrol, but you must:
- Maintain at least 50% pass rate next teaching period.
- Not fail the same unit again.
- Complete an Academic Improvement Questionnaire (AIQ) and work with UC staff to create an Academic Improvement Plan (AIP).
If you don’t meet these conditions, you may be suspended.
Example 1: Less than 50% pass rate for the teaching period
Sara commenced studies in Semester 1, 2026. She studied four units but failed two, giving her a 50% pass rate. Sara will be placed on Academic Probation and asked to complete an Academic Improvement Questionnaire followed by an Academic Improvement Plan (AIP) to support her studies. A completed AIP will be taken into consideration if she has a teaching period completion rate of less than 50% in the subsequent teaching period.
Example 2: Multiple unit failure
Alex started studying in Semester 1, 2025 and didn’t pass Chemistry 1A. He later changed courses and tried the same unit again in Semester 1, 2026, but didn’t pass a second time. Because he has failed the same unit twice, even in different courses, Alex will go on Academic Probation and will need to complete an AIQ followed by an AIP. If Alex doesn’t pass the unit next time, having a completed AIP will help show he’s working to improve and will be looked on positively by the Academic Probation Officer.
Suspension
Suspension is a temporary pause in your studies if you don’t meet probation conditions. This means:
- You cannot enrol for up to 12 months and lose access to UC systems during this time.
- Your suspension will be lifted after the 12 months, and you will be able to re-enrol (except if your course is in teach-out). After suspension your status will be Academic Probation and you will be required to complete an AIQ and AIP.
However, you may choose to make representations in writing to the Academic Progress Officer within 20 days of the notice.
Example 1: Less than 50% pass rate for two consecutive teaching period
Sara, already on Academic Probation, failed two units again in the next teaching period. She is now at risk of Suspension but can submit a written statement to the Academic Progress Officer within 20 days of the date on her notification. If the Academic Progress Officer allows Sara to continue studying, she will remain on probation and may need to reduce her study load and complete an AIQ and AIP.
Example 2: Multiple unit failure
Alex failed Chemistry 1A for the third time while on probation. He is now at risk of Suspension but can submit a request in writing within 20 days, requesting that the Academic Progress Officer allow him to continue. As Alex has not previously completed an AIQ and AIP even though he was advised to do so, Alex’s written statement is not accepted and he is placed on suspension for 12 months.
Academic Improvement Questionnaire (AIQ) & Academic Improvement Plan (AIP)
The AIQ helps you to evaluate the challenges you are facing in your studies and connects you with a relevant UC team to help develop strategies for improving your academic success. Please complete an Academic Improvement Questionnaire (AIQ) if you are advised to do so.
After you have completed the AIQ, a university staff member will contact you with more information about developing and implementing a personal support strategy which is called an Academic Improvement Plan (AIP).
An Academic Improvement Plan (AIP) is a personalised plan designed to help you succeed and overcome any academic challenges identified in your AIQ.
Reconsideration of a decision
If you are placed on suspension for Academic Progress, you have the right to request reconsideration of the decision by submitting a written request. The process you must follow to request reconsideration of this decision depends on how many days have elapsed since the date on your official notification of pending suspension.
Within the 20-day window
The initial window for reconsideration of this decision is 20-days from the date of your official notification of this decision. This notification will specify the date on which this timeframe will expire.
If you are within this window, you will need to send a written statement to MyCourse.Progress@canberra.edu.au.
After the 20-day window
If you wish to have the decision reconsidered but the initial 20-day window has expired, you must submit a formal grievance. This can be done by completing a form which can be found on the “Student Grievances” page of our website. Please read the steps outlined on this website. Once the form has been completed, email it to director.SC@canberra.edu.au for review.
Preparing a written statement
If you’ve been notified of a pending suspension, you have the right to submit a written statement for consideration by the Academic Progress Officer. Your statement should explain how circumstances beyond your control affected your academic progress and outline a clear plan for improving your academic performance.
Your written statement must:
- Describe the circumstances that affected your studies and why they were outside your control.
- Demonstrate how you will meet progression requirements by outlining:
- The steps you’ve taken to address the issues.
- Your plan for improving performance next teaching period (including any changes to enrolment or study load).
- The student support services you intend to use.
- Attach any relevant supporting documents that demonstrate how your circumstances affected your academic progress.
Student Advocacy
Student Advocacy is available to provide information, advice and support to you to assist you to engage with University processes relating to matters such as appeals, student grievances, student misconduct and academic progress including preparation of written statements.
Student Advocacy Officers can be found in the Student Centre between 10 am - 4 pm on weekdays and you can make an appointment here.
International student visa holders
If you are an international student on an international student visa and you are placed on academic suspension, the University is required by Australian Law to inform the Department of Home Affairs (Immigration).
When you receive a notification advising that you are to be placed on academic suspension, you will have 20 working days to submit a written statement to the Academic Progress Officer. During this time, your enrolment will not be cancelled or reported. If you do not submit a written statement or your request is not successful, the University will report your suspension to the Department of Home Affairs and cancel your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This may affect your visa status with the Department of Home Affairs.
Should you find yourself in this situation, we recommend you contact UC International Compliance or email internationalcompliance@canberra.edu.au and we strongly encourage you to reach out to the Department of Home Affairs regarding the status of your student visa and the options available to you.
Recommencing study following suspension
Non-Teachout Course
When your suspension ends, you can re-enrol via myUC. Your academic standing will change to Academic Probation, which means:
- There are no restrictions on your enrolment.
- You must maintain a pass rate of at least 50% per teaching period and/or not fail the same unit again.
What you need to do:
- Enrol for the next teaching period through myUC.
- Complete the Academic Improvement Questionnaire (AIQ) to access support and work with UC staff to create an Academic Improvement Plan (AIP).
Teachout Course – course is no longer available
When your suspension ends, your previous course is no longer available. To continue studying, you need to:
- Contact your faculty advisor to discuss options in a similar discipline.
- Apply for a new course through the UC website.
What you need to do:
- Accept your new offer and enrol for the next teaching period via myUC.
- Complete the Academic Improvement Questionnaire (AIQ) to access support and create an Academic Improvement Plan (AIP).
