Take a Break from Your Arts Course (Intermission)
If you need to take a break from your Arts course you must submit an application for intermission to the Faculty of Arts.
Intermission may be granted for either one or two semesters.
Monash University expects students to check their Monash student email account while on intermission.
Intermission Dates and Penalties
If your application for intermission is approved any enrolled units will be automatically discontinued. Depending on when you apply for intermission certain academic and financial penalties may apply.
View Monash principal dates information
Intermission and the Time limit for Course Completion
Any period of intermission you take will count towards the time limit for the completion of your course.
The course structure policy stipulates the number of years a student can take to complete their course. Students enrolled in single degree programs have a maximum of 8 years to complete their course requirements, and students enrolled in double degree programs have a maximum of 10 years to complete their course requirements.
For further information on course time limits view the Monash course structure policy.
Take a Longer Period of Intermission
Intermission may be granted for a maximum of one year at a time. If you need to take a longer period of intermission, you must reapply for intermission when the initial period expires.
Your intermission application will only be approved if you can still meet the requirements of your course within the time limit for completion.
Additional Requirements for International Students on a Student Visa
Intermission may only be granted to international students on a student visa under compassionate or compelling circumstances.
View Monash Intermission Information
How to Apply
International Arts students on a student visa
The process for applying for international students on a student visa is:
- Complete an Intermission Application
- Download intermission application from Monash Student Services: Student Forms
- You must include certified supporting documentation. The intermission application form provides further information on required documentation. Please read this carefully.
- Consult Monash Health, Wellbeing and Development
- You must first discuss your application with Health, Wellbeing and Development. They will take you through the visa implications for taking intermission and stamp your application.
- View Monash Health, Wellbeing and Development Information for locations and contact details
- Take form to the Faculty of Arts office on your home campus for assessment
- View Contact Arts Student Services for office locations and contact details.
Arts students not on an international student visa
You can apply for intermission via any one of the following methods:
- Via the Web Enrolment System (WES)
- Login to WES
- From the WES homepage select ‘Apply for course intermission’.
- Submit an Intermission Application to the Faculty of Arts
- Download intermission application from Monash Student Services: Student Forms.
- Take form to the Faculty of Arts office on your home campus for assessment.
- View Contact Arts Student Services for office locations and contact details.
- Send an email from your Monash Student Account requesting a period of intermission.
- In your email, please include your student identification number and details of the semester you intend to return to study.
- View Contact Arts Student Services for campus email details.
Who Can You Talk to About Taking a Break From Your Course?
If you need to talk about your intermission application, please contact the Faculty of Arts on your home campus. You may like to book a course advice appointment so you can discuss your options with a course adviser.
View Arts Course Advice for further information.
Should You Apply to Defer Instead?
You should submit an application to defer if:
- you have just received an offer, or
- you are in the first semester of your course and it is prior to the census date.
View Deferring from Arts for further information
When Should You Re-enrol in Units?
Re-enrolment commences in October every year for the following academic year. Failure to re-enrol during the official re-enrolment period will result in a late re-enrolment fee. Monash University commences emailing students with re-enrolment information every September.
View Re-enrolment Information for Continuing Arts Students.
Return Early From Intermission
If you want to resume your studies early you must contact the Faculty of Arts. You cannot resume your studies via the Web Enrolment System (WES) without the Faculty of Arts updating your details on the student database system.
You can either:
- Complete an Enrolment Form at the Faculty of Arts Office on your home campus.
View Contact Arts Student Services for office locations and contact details. - Or you can send an email from your Monash Student Account requesting an early return from intermission. In your email, please include your student identification number, and details of the units you intend to study. View Contact Arts for email address details
View Contact Arts Student Services for office locations and contact details.