Leaves of Absence

Undergraduate Leaves of Absence

A leave-of-absence may be granted to undergraduate students for the following reasons:

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

A Leave of Absence must be requested on a term-by-term basis and may be granted for a period of up to 52 weeks. Before submitting a Leave of Absence request, refer to the Leave of Absence Undergraduate Policy at the following website.

To submit a request for an undergraduate leave of absence complete the web form found here. The web form will be returned to you and you will be prompted to include supporting documentation. Attach the supporting documentation with the web form and send to the following email: assistant-adstudents.arts [at] mcgill.ca. If the supporting documentation is not attached, the web form will not go to the recipient; it will only be returned to you.

If you plan to apply for a Leave of Absence, you are advised to have documentation to support this decision should you need to justify the Leave of Absence on your record to a service provider, immigration authorities or graduate school admissions committee at a later date.

Email assistant-adstudents.arts [at] mcgill.ca if you have questions or would like to provide additional information.

Conditions

• A newly admitted student cannot request a leave of absence in their first term.
• Students who have not received any credits for courses cannot apply for a Leave of Absence.
• It is recommended to discuss a Leave of Absence with a faculty advisor. If a student meets with an advisor, the name of the advisor must be indicated on the web form. Refer to this link to make an appointment with a faculty advisor.
• Students are not permitted to register for courses at McGill or at another University while on a Leave of Absence.
• Students in unsatisfactory academic standing cannot request a Leave of Absence.
• 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 must 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.
• Students who take a break in their enrollment should refer to the following websites for information on tuition:
  • Deferred Admission, Degree Transfers, Break in Enrollment
  • Legal Documents (for Quebec residents)

• When a decision has been made on the student’s Leave of Absence request, an email will be sent to the student. Information about the student’s record (ex missing grades in the previous term) will be included in the email.