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University of Otago, New Zealand
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Changing Your Course

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Changing Your Course

If you need to change your course after Course Approval, you should obtain a Change of Course Form from the University Information Centre. Any changes to papers, or withdrawal from study, must be officially recorded via this process.

Adding, deleting or withdrawing from papers has implications for your fees, StudyLink loans and allowances, and academic record. It may also affect the immigration status of international students.

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Adding papers

2011

Adding papers to your course must be completed by 5.30pm on:

  • 15 July 2011 for second semester papers

2012

Adding papers to your course must be completed by 5.30pm on:

  • 16 January 2012 for Summer School papers
  • 2 March 2012 for first semester and full year papers
  • 13 July 2012 for second semester papers

Additional papers will be added to your academic record.

Adding papers to your course will normally increase the fees you are required to pay.

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Deleting papers

2011

Deleting papers from your course must be completed by 5.30pm on:

  • 31 July 2011 for second semester papers

2012

Deleting papers from your course must be completed by 5.30pm on:

  • 16 January 2012 for Summer School papers
  • 31 March 2012 for first semester and full year papers
  • 31 July 2012 for second semester papers

If you delete an individual paper from your course of study by these dates you will be entitled to a refund of tuition fees for that paper.

In the case of deletion of all papers by the relevant deadline, tuition fees paid will be refunded less a Tuition Refund fee.

Deletion of papers may affect your eligibility for StudyLink loans and allowances or (if you are an international student) your immigration status.

Please note: deadlines for StudyLink lifetime limit purposes may be earlier than the dates listed above.

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Late withdrawal from papers

2011

Late withdrawal from papers (withdrawal after the dates for deletion of papers above), must be completed by 5.30pm on:

  • 10 September 2011 for second semester and full year papers

2012

Late withdrawal from papers (withdrawal after the dates for deletion of papers above), must be completed by 5.30pm on:

  • 7 February 2012 for Summer School papers
  • 10 May 2012 for first semester papers
  • 10 September 2012 for second semester and full year papers

Papers you withdraw from by these dates will remain listed on your academic record but will have ‘Withdrawn’ noted beside them. There is no refund of fees for late withdrawal.

Withdrawal from papers may affect your eligibility for StudyLink loans and allowances or (if you are an international student) your immigration status.

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Exceptional Circumstances

Deletions or withdrawals after the normal deadlines will be permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
Exceptional circumstances are defined as circumstances that are beyond the control of the student, and include illness supported by a medical certificate.

Exceptional circumstances may include:

  • illness or accident
  • delays beyond your control in receiving information relevant to your enrolment (e.g. concerning funding from your employer)
  • sporting/cultural commitments. You must be representing New Zealand, or trialling for New Zealand representation
  • service in the New Zealand Armed Forces
  • bereavement
  • other special circumstances beyond your control

If you wish to submit an application for withdrawal from a paper under exceptional circumstances you should:

  • complete a Change of Course Form (where possible)
  • put in writing your request for consideration of a withdrawal in exceptional circumstances and submit to the University Information Centre or post to The Manager, Admissions and Enrolment, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054.
  • provide original or appropriately witnessed copies of any independent evidence verifying the circumstances outlined

In the case of withdrawals in exceptional circumstances after the normal deadlines for deletions and before those for ordinary withdrawals, refunds of up to 50% of tuition fees may be permitted. Such papers continue to be listed on an academic record but have ‘Withdrawn Exceptional’ noted beside them.

Withdrawal from papers in exceptional circumstances may affect your eligibility for StudyLink loans and allowances or (if you are an international student) your immigration status.

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Abandoning study

If you choose not to attend classes or submit assessments or sit examinations, and do not use a Change of Course Form to have a withdrawal officially recorded by the deadlines listed above, you will remain enrolled. You will also be liable for tuition fees and are likely to have a result of ‘Fail’ on your academic record for the papers concerned.

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It’s your course

You can use PIMS to check the papers you are enrolled for and whether or not any requested changes have been processed. It is your responsibility, and in your own best interests, to ensure that your course of study is in accordance with the relevant regulations in the University Calendar and that your enrolment correctly records the papers you are taking.

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Further Information


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