McGill.CA / Arts OASIS / Academic Planning / Withdrawals

Undergraduate Leave of Absence

Per the Undergraduate Leave of Absence Policy, a Leave of Absence may be granted for any of the following reasons:

  • Maternity or parenting reasons
  • Personal or family health reasons
  • Professional development
  • Required military service


Considerations for a Leave

  • They will be granted for a period of up to 52 weeks.
  • They cannot be granted retroactively.
  • Supporting documentation to support your request is required.
  • Discuss your options with an OASIS Faculty Advisor.
    • Refer to this link to make an appointment with a faculty advisor.
  • The Leave of Absence notation - but not the reason - will be reflected on your academic record.
    • If at a later date you are asked to provide the reason for your Leave - eg. by an immigration authority, graduate school admissions committee, or otherwise - you will have to provide that to them yourself. 
  • All decisions will be communicated to you via your McGill email address, including information about the your record (eg. missing grades in the previous term).


Eligibility

  • Newly-admitted students are not eligible for a Leave of Absence in their first term.
  • Students who have not received any credits for courses are not eligible for a Leave of Absence.
  • Students in Unsatisfactory academic standing are not eligible for a Leave of Absence.
  • For the term in which you are requesting a Leave of Absence:
    • You must be actively registered.
    • Your request must be made before the end of the withdrawal with refund deadline for that term
    • Note: requests will be refused if they pertain to anterior academic terms, or if they are made subsequent to the abovementioned term deadline for withdrawal with refund.
  • Make sure to clear any Holds on your academic record, as they may delay approval of your Leave.

 

To Submit a request:

  1. Submit your Leave of Absence request.
  2. Ensure that your submission was successful.


If approved:

  • For the term(s) in question, your courses will be dropped, and a ‘Leave of Absence’ notation will be entered on your academic record.
    • If you are enrolled in a spanned multi-term course (eg. D1/D2 course spanning both Fall and Winter terms) and are seeking a Leave of Absence for the Winter term:
      • The D1 portion (ie for the Fall term) will be withdrawn without refund; and
      • The D2 portion (ie for the Winter term) will be dropped.
  • You will have access to course registration in the subsequent term and will not be required to apply for readmission.
    • If you do not re-enroll in the subsequent term, your record will be inactivated. You will need to apply for readmission to request a return to your studies.
  • You are not permitted to register for courses at McGill or at another University while on a Leave of Absence.
    • No transfer credits shall be considered or approved for courses taken elsewhere during your Leave.
  • International students:
  • Refer to the following for information regarding possible impact to your rate of tuition:
Back to top