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.
  • Timing:
    • You must be actively registered for the term in which you are applying for a Leave.
    • Your request must be made before the end of the withdrawal with refund deadline of the term in which the Leave is requested.
  • 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. Check your McGill email inbox for confirmation that your request was duly submitted. 
  3. Reply to the email, ensuring you have attached your supporting documentation.


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 enrolled in spanned multi-term course (eg. D1/D2 courses), the D1 portion will be withdrawn without refund, whereas the D2 portion will be dropped.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:
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