Academic Progress Reviews

Grades are normally analysed twice a year: once after mid-year results are released and once after end-of-year course results are released.

Criteria to trigger a review of your academic progress include:

• Not passing half or more of the points you are enrolled in.
• A Grade Point Average (GPA) of less than 1.0 for the current year.
• Failure to demonstrate competence in the professional requirements of your qualification.
• Withdrawal from more than half of your enrolled courses in the preceding two years.
• Failure to demonstrate any likelihood of success.

Information on how your GPA is calculated is available here.

See also Academic Progress Regulations in the UC Calendar.

A review of your academic progress will normally result in one of the following:

A Warning

A Warning may be given if there are concerns that you have not made sufficient academic progress. The warning may include a restriction (for example, a restriction on how many points you can enrol in the following semester of study), an enrolment condition, or a request for you to meet with the Associate Dean of your Faculty.

An Impending Exclusion from a qualification

If you have already received a Warning and your academic progress has not improved, you may receive an Impending Exclusion. You are required to meet with the Associate Dean of your Faculty to discuss the circumstances contributing to your academic performance and to develop a study plan. Failure to meet with the Dean will result in an exclusion from your qualification, and your enrolment will be cancelled. 

An Exclusion from a qualification

If you have already received a Warning and/or an Impending Exclusion and you have not made sufficient academic progress subsequently, you will be excluded from studying your qualification for a minimum of 12 months. 

To study an alternative qualification, you must first seek permission from the appropriate Dean. If approved, they may impose restrictions on your enrolment in the alternative qualification. 

An Exclusion from the University

You may be excluded from studying at UC if you have previously been given an exclusion from a qualification and have not made sufficient academic progress in a subsequent semester (normally in an alternative qualification). 

A letter outlining the outcome of a review of your academic progress will be sent via email in the week following S1 and S2 grade release. It is important that you read through this letter carefully and make note of all required actions and deadlines.

See also

Qualification Exclusion - Flow Chart

University Exclusion - Flow Chart

If you are required to meet with the Dean as part of a Warning, Impending Exclusion, or Exclusion, it's important to book an appointment in as soon as possible, and it should be held ideally before the start of semester. 

Email the relevant address below to arrange an appointment, listing any times/dates you are unable to meet due to prior commitments.  Include your ID number, contact details, and if a virtual meeting is required.

Faculty of Arts - artsdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz

Faculty of Education - vicki.badis@canterbury.ac.nz

Faculty of Engineering - engdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz

Faculty of Health - studyhealth@canterbury.ac.nz

Faculty of Law - lawandjusticedegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz

Faculty of Science - science@canterbury.ac.nz

UC Business School - jane.whiteside@canterbury.ac.nz

To prepare for your appointment, you are recommended to think about the circumstances contributing to your academic performance in the last semester of study, and what you can do to ensure academic success in the future. 

If you receive a restriction or exclusion and believe that there were exceptional circumstances that impaired your ability to perform in an assessment or complete your course of study successfully, you can request an outcome review. The letter you receive by email will include the review process and the deadline by which a review request must be submitted.

You will be expected to provide an outline of the exceptional circumstances you believe impaired your performance, along with evidence (such as medical certificates, death notices, or other relevant documents) to support your application. You should also explain why the impairment is no longer likely to affect your ability to study, and how you can ensure your success in the future.

If the impairment is shown to be significant and can be verified, and a strong study plan is in place,  the restrictions or exclusion may be removed you will be permitted to continue with your studies.

For support through the process, you can contact the UCSA Advocacy and Welfare team.

A qualification exclusion means you are not permitted to study in the named qualification (or at UC if a university exclusion) for a period of not less than 12 months. After this time, you may apply for readmission.

To apply for readmission to a qualification/course/Faculty, contact the Associate Dean of the relevant Faculty.  To apply for readmission to the university (after a university exclusion), address the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) via academicprogress@canterbury.ac.nz. 

You should provide the following: 

• evidence of at least one year of successful study elsewhere (in another qualification or at another tertiary institution) or of successful work experience in relevant employment.
• a robust study plan 
• an overview of how any circumstances that had previously impacted your studies have now been resolved. 

Readmission is not automatic. 

For advocacy through this process, contact the UCSA Advocacy and Wellbeing team.

Student loans (for domestic students)

Any outcome that limits your study (eg restricted points or an exclusion) may have an impact on your eligibility for a student loan and/or student allowance. You may also lose your eligibility if you pass less than half your enrolled courses. 

Visit the StudyLink website for more information and to check your eligibility. 

Student visas (for international students)

An exclusion can have serious consequences for international students.

International students studying in New Zealand must have a student visa/permit which specifies the institution they are studying at and the qualification they are studying. This means that if they change their plan of study they are legally obliged to apply for a new student visa/permit.

International students who have been excluded need to decide whether to study in another qualification at UC (this is not an option if they have been excluded from the University), to study at another tertiary institution, to apply for an alternative temporary permit, or to return to their home country.

For enquiries contact Enrolments or Student Support.

The Arotakenga Akoranga | Academic Progress Review process can be a wake-up call for students struggling with their studies who have not previously asked for help. 

The University recommends they take the opportunity to speak with friends, whanau and university staff to seek sound advice and be directed to the help that is available.

Students who struggle with time management, study skills, exam skills, problems with academic writing or English language difficulties can talk to Faculty student advisors and be directed to the help they need:

• Te Rāngai Toi Tangata | Faculty of Arts
• Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education
• Te Rāngai Pūkaha | Faculty of Engineering
• Te Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health
• Pūataio | Faculty of Science
• Te Kura Ūmanga | UC Business School
• Kaupeka Ture | Faculty of Law

The University has several units offering assistance:

• Academic Skills Centre
• PALS (Peer Assisted Learning Sessions)- First Year Students
• Kaiurungi | Māori Development Advisors
• Pacific Development Advisors
• Kaitoko | First Year Student Advisors
• Kaitohutohu Akonga | Student Advisors for Continuing Students
• Student Care
• UC Health Centre
• UC Student Accessibility Service

For advocacy support or financial assistance:

• UCSA Advocacy & Welfare

All resources and supports can be found here: Wellbeing Hub

Other related documents can be found below: 

• Qualification Exclusion - Request for Review Form
• Qualification Exclusion - Checklist
• University Exclusion - Request for Review Form
• Warning with Restrictions - Request for Review Form
• Impending Exclusion - Meet with Associate Dean Form
• Warning - Meeting with Faculty Form