Withdrawal under exceptional circumstances is primarily intended for unexpected and significant events that arise during the semester and prevent you from successfully completing a paper or papers.
These could include:
- Serious illness or accident, or severe psychological impairment
- Bereavement
- Critical personal circumstances, involving the health or wellbeing of a relative or close friend
- Sporting/cultural commitments (you must be representing New Zealand, or trialling for New Zealand representation)
- Service in the New Zealand Armed Forces
- Other exceptional circumstances beyond your control (for example, natural disaster, damage to significant property, or being the victim of a crime)
This type of withdrawal applies after the usual deletion or withdrawal deadlines, where circumstances outside your control prevent successful completion of your paper/s. Applications must normally be submitted before the final examination for the paper, or by the official last day of classes if there is no final examination. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and supporting documentation is required.
"Exceptional circumstances" do not normally include:
- Forgetting to withdraw within the standard timeframe
- Disliking your paper selection
- Being declined from a particular course or programme
- Non-University obligations such as sports, volunteering, or cultural activities
- Unmanageable workload or unsatisfactory academic progress
- Choosing to stop studying where no unexpected circumstances apply
- Short-term illness or impairment
- Circumstances covered by Special Consideration in Final Examinations
- Known or ongoing conditions, unless there is clear medical evidence of an unexpected worsening
- Requests to remove results from previous teaching periods
Before applying, you are encouraged to consider other University support options (such as provisions for students with impairments) which may help you complete your papers.
If approved, the paper will normally remain on your academic record as withdrawn exceptional. The effective withdrawal date is usually the date your application was received, which may affect any tuition fee refund.
Deleting or withdrawing from papers may also affect fees, StudyLink assistances, Fees Free entitlement, and (for international students) visa conditions.
If your application is declined, you may request a review within 10 working days of being notified of the decision.
Further information
Change of course deadlines
Special consideration in final examinations
Support for students with impairment during study
Withdrawal under exceptional circumstances