During your course - who can help you within the University?
This section covers the most common queries from current students during their studies. This material is also covered in the handbook "Distance Learning Information and Support", which is available in hard copy from your programme administrator or on the web. If you cannot find the information you require, go to the section entitled Before your course begins - are you ready?
General Information
Study Support
- Am I on track? - a checklist for distance students
- Help with Library Skills: finding, evaluating and managing information
- Help with planning and writing your assignment
- Help with Computing Issues, also Endnote referencing software
- Assessment & Plagiarism
Services for Distance Students
Administration
- Adding, deleting or withdrawing from papers
- Exams
- Graduation
- Policies and Student Records
* Academic Transcripts & Statements
* Academic Progress Policy
Academic Progress Policy
A student who fails to make satisfactory progress (i.e. pass half or more of the points enrolled for in a calendar year) will be placed on Conditional Enrolment and may enrol for a prescribed course of study only, in the next year of enrolment. Such a student who passes fewer than half of the points in the Conditional Enrolment year will be suspended from enrolment from the University for the subsequent two calendar years.
This policy will be applied to students transferring from other universities as if their previous study had been undertaken at the University of Otago. Students suspended under the academic progress policies (or equivalent) of other universities will not be permitted to transfer to the University of Otago until such time as that suspension has passed.
Withdrawal from your course
If you remain enrolled in a paper, but do not sit the final examination for it, the marks for all the work you have completed which count towards the final result will be added up, including a zero mark for the final examination. This total will then generate an actual final result — which in most instances will be a “Fail”. If you decide not to sit the examination, you must notify the University Information Centre, in writing of your withdrawal from the paper(s) concerned. Refer to Key Dates regarding final dates to withdraw with and without the refund of fees.
Graduation
Graduation is a chance for you to mark the completion of your studies and to celebrate your success with your family, friends and the University community.
Applying to Graduate: In order to graduate, eligible graduands must submit an application form to the Graduation Office.
Even if you do not wish to attend a graduation ceremony, you must still apply to have your qualification awarded in absentia. Application forms will be posted to those eligible to graduate, but please note that the onus is on you to make sure you receive the form. Please ensure that you keep your addresses up to date on PIMS so that the form is sent to your current address. Even if you are not currently enrolled at the University, you will still have access to PIMS, and will be able to keep your contact details up to date this way.
Graduation Ceremonies for degrees and diplomas are held in May, August and December. See the Graduation website for the ceremony date allocated to your discipline. Please note the closing dates for applications.
Further Information
If you have any questions regarding graduation, please contact the Graduation Office
Tel 64 3 479 8239
Toll Free 0800 80 80 98 (within NZ)
Email graduation@otago.ac.nz
Web www.otago.ac.nz/study/graduation
Go back to "Information needed during your course"
