Academic standing is the key mechanism by which a student’s progress in their program is monitored at the conclusion of each term or semester. There are 8 categories of academic standing for undergraduate students. Each category has an impact on progression (enrolment) in a program.
Your academic standing is determined using your academic standing at the end of the previous term together with your academic achievement for the current term. Any results obtained in the Summer Term are included in the calculation of your academic standing for Term 1.
Please be aware that grades of PW (Permitted Withdrawal) and AW (Academic Withdrawal) are treated as fail grades when calculating academic standing.
Term 1, 2020 - Rule change due to COVID-19
Given the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 global pandemic, any course failed in Term 1 of 2020:
- will not be recorded on your transcript,
- will not affect your WAM
- and will not be included in the calculation of your academic standing.
Academic standing for Term 1 will be calculated but no student will move to Suspension or Exclusion.
What about results from Summer Term? Results from Summer Term are included in the calculation of your academic standing for Term 1. If you did not perform well in Summer Term, it is possible you will be assigned an academic standing level of Provisional Suspension or Provisional Exclusion. If you are assigned a Provisional standing level, further poor performance may result in Suspension or Exclusion.
If you are returning from Suspension in Term 1 of 2020 and do not have enrolment which can be calculated for academic standing purposes (due to the rule outlined above), you will be assigned a standing level of Provisional Suspension.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you are studying at UNSW Canberra, see Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students at UNSW Canberra.
Academic standing indicates your current progress toward completion of your program. There are 8 categories of academic standing for undergraduate students. Each category has an impact on progression (enrolment) in a program.
Your academic standing is determined using your academic standing at the end of the previous term together with your academic achievement for the current term. Any results obtained in the Summer Term are included in the calculation of your academic standing for Term 1.
Please be aware that grades of PW (Permitted Withdrawal) and AW (Academic Withdrawal) are treated as fail grades when calculating academic standing.
Quick reference guide
This is a quick reference guide to the rules for undergraduate academic standing at UNSW Sydney. For a detailed description of your academic standing level, as well as the implications involved, see this Guide to Your Academic Standing (UNSW Sydney).
Academic standing in previous term | Nil progress (more than 6 UOC attempted & 0 UOC passed) | Poor progress (more than 0 UOC attempted & 50% or less passed) | Satisfactory progress (more than 0 UOC attempted & more than 50% passed) |
Good | Probation | Referral | Good |
Referral | Probation | Probation | Good |
Probation | Suspension | Suspension | Referral |
Suspension | Exclusion | Exclusion | Probation |
Exclusion | Exclusion | Exclusion | Probation |
Provisional Suspension | Suspension | Suspension | Referral |
Provisional Exclusion | Exclusion | Exclusion | Referral |
Example: If your academic standing was Good at the end of the previous term, but you only pass 50% of the units of credit attempted this term, your academic standing will move to Referral.
Term 2, 2020 - Rule change due to COVID-19
For Term 2 2020, failed courses will appear on your official UNSW transcript and be included in the calculation of both your WAM and academic standing, in line with standard practice.
However, given the continuing uncertainty, students will not be academically suspended or excluded at the end of Term 2. Students whose T2 results would normally have placed them on academic Suspension or Exclusion will instead, be given an academic standing level of Provisional Suspension or Provisional Exclusion.
If you have an academic standing level of provisional suspension or provisional exclusion, you are permitted to continue studying in Term 3 but must seek academic advice, as further fails in Term 3 may result in you being suspended or excluded.
Term 3, 2020 - Return to normal rules
For Term 3 2020, failed courses will appear on your official UNSW transcript and be included in the calculation of both your WAM and academic standing, in line with standard practice.
For Term 3 UNSW will return to the normal academic standing procedure which means that students will be calculated to Suspension or Exclusion. Students who are on Suspension or Exclusion at the end of Term 3 have the right to appeal and should visit How to Appeal for further information
Quick reference guide
This is a quick reference guide to the rules for undergraduate academic standing at UNSW Sydney. For a detailed description of your academic standing level, as well as the implications involved, see this Guide to Your Academic Standing (UNSW Sydney).
Academic standing in previous term | Nil progress (more than 6 UOC attempted & 0 UOC passed) | Poor progress (more than 0 UOC attempted & 50% or less passed) | Satisfactory progress (more than 0 UOC attempted & more than 50% passed) |
Good | Probation | Referral | Good |
Referral | Probation | Probation | Good |
Probation | Suspension | Suspension | Referral |
Suspension | Exclusion | Exclusion | Probation |
Exclusion | Exclusion | Exclusion | Probation |
Provisional Suspension | Suspension | Suspension | Referral |
Provisional Exclusion | Exclusion | Exclusion | Referral |
Example: If your academic standing was Good at the end of the previous term, but you only pass 50% of the units of credit attempted this term, your academic standing will move to Referral.