Leave of Absence

A leave of absence may be granted to undergraduate students for reasons related to:

• maternity or parenting
• personal or family health
• professional development
• required military service

Such a leave must be requested on a term-by-term basis and may be granted for a period of up to 52 weeks. A leave of absence request should be submitted to the BCom Office or BCom Academic Advisor along with appropriate documentation.

All International students are advised to contact International Student Services (ISS) regarding individual circumstances.

Conditions

• No tuition fees will be charged for the duration of the authorized leave.
• During a leave of absence, you maintain an active student ID card and have access to McGill mail and use of the libraries.
• You are not permitted to register for courses or to participate in student internships* or undergraduate research.
• Only students who have completed a minimum of one term at McGill are eligible for a leave of absence. 
• A newly admitted student cannot request a leave of absence in their first term.
• Students are not permitted to register for courses while on a Leave of Absence.
• A Leave of Absence may be granted to undergraduate students in satisfactory academic standing.
• The request needs to be made before the end of the withdrawal with refund deadline of the term you are requesting to be on leave.
• A Leave of Absence cannot be granted retro-actively.
• Students who have a hold on their record should clear the hold before applying for a Leave of Absence.
• Students who are granted a Leave of Absence will have access to course registration in the subsequent term and will not be required to apply for readmission. However, if they do not return in the subsequent term, they will need to apply for readmission to return to their studies.
• International students are advised to contact International Student Services about how the Leave of Absence may impact their student status.
• The complete Undergraduate Leave of Absence Policy can be found here: Undergraduate Leave of Absence Policy | eCalendar - McGill University.

* There are special rules pertaining to internships please contact a BCom academic advisor.