Academic progress

Final stage at risk

If, after being identified as first stage 'at risk', you again make unsatisfactory academic progress in the same program, you may be identified as final stage 'at risk' of not meeting the academic requirements of your program. 
 

What happens then?

1. You'll get an email after results are released (or after a change to a grade) notifying you that you've been identified as final stage 'at risk'.

2. In the email, you will be invited to provide a written submission, called a show cause, to the Program Assessment Board. This form should be completed and submitted to your school/college for consideration by the Program Assessment Board (PAB) within 10 working days (Monday to Friday) of receiving your notification email communication, preferably earlier. Late submissions will not be accepted by the PAB and taking a Leave of Absence will not prevent the PAB from considering your case for possible exclusion. 

The show cause submission is a way for you to explain your situation to the Board. Based on the information in your submission, the Board will decide if you can continue in your program. This decision will be based on whether you have a reasonable likelihood of future success in the program.

3. The PAB will consider all timely show cause submissions and provide an outcome in writing which will be sent to your RMIT student email account. The outcome is usually provided to students within 21 days of the submission deadline. While you are waiting for an outcome you are able to continue to study in your enrolled courses. The PAB will either decide that your show cause submission has been successful and you will be permitted to continue your studies in the program or the PAB will recommend that you be excluded from your program for a full academic year (equivalent to 3 semesters). When you receive your notification of intention to be excluded you are able to make an appeal against an exclusion which must be submitted within 20 working days of the date you received the notification to exclude. 

4. Your RMIT student email account will be used for correspondence related to your show cause submission. 

Preparing a show cause submission

Before preparing your submission, you may want to consider if your current program is the right one for you, or if a break from the program would be beneficial.

If you decide to make a show cause submission, you need to include the following information:

Explain why your academic progress has been unsatisfactory

For the teaching periods in which you’ve been identified as 'at risk', especially the most recent teaching period, you need to explain:

• what went wrong and why (including both academic and personal circumstances that have impaired your performance)
  
• how much time each week you’ve spent in class and studying, and how much time you’ve spent on other commitments such as employment
• what you’ve done to resolve these issues, including any help you’ve sought
• what you’ve done to carry out your Academic Performance Improvement Plan.

Explain how you intend to improve your academic performance

You need to explain:

• if the issues that impaired your academic performance are still present, or if your situation has improved
• if the issues are still present, how you’ll minimise their impact on your performance in the next teaching period
• your short-term and long-term plans to improve your study skills and academic performance.

Supporting documents

The Program Assessment Board will expect independent supporting documentation of any circumstances outside your control that have impaired your academic performance. 

Typical supporting documents include:

• a letter or report from a health practitioner or counsellor
• a death certificate or funeral notice for a close relative
• a police report of a crime against you
• evidence of your use of support services recommended in your Academic Performance Improvement Plan.

Show cause form

The following form can be used to help you complete your show cause submission:

• Final stage at risk students – Final stage show cause form.

Academic progress final stage at risk - This page lists the contacts for students who have been identified as final stage at risk and received an email with the subject "URGENT ACTION NEEDED: You are at risk of being excluded from your program".

To submit your show cause, you need the following information. You'll find this at the top of your email. 

• Student name 
• Student number 
• Program code 
• Program title 
• School 
• College 

Select your school

It's important you use the correct contact details to submit your show cause. Please select the correct school from the tabs below and follow the instructions carefully. 

You should save the completed form with your student number in the following format: "Student full name (student number) - Submission to PAB" (e.g., Nguyen Van A (s1234567) - Submission to PAB), then email the form and supporting documents to your school.

Outcomes

After the Program Assessment Board has considered your submission, it may decide to allow you to continue in your program, or exclude you from your program for a full academic year (equivalent to 3 semesters), after which you may apply for re-admission.
 

If the Board allows you to continue in your program

1. You’ll receive a 'withdrawal of exclusion' email.
2. You’ll continue to be officially 'at risk' of not meeting the academic requirements of your program.
3. You’ll again be given the opportunity to talk to an Academic Advisor and develop an Academic Performance Improvement Plan (APIP). You’ll need to continue to meet the requirements in your APIP. If you meet one of the unsatisfactory academic progress criteria in any subsequent semesters in the same program, you may need to provide another submission to the Program Assessment Board.
   
   

If the Board recommends exclusion from your program

1. You will be notified of the Board's recommendation by email.
2. The Academic Registrar will be asked to exclude you from your program.
3. The Academic Registrar will notify you of the exclusion decision by email. This will take about 10 working days.
    

Appeals

You may appeal the decision to exclude you from your program. The email from the Academic Registrar will include information about how to submit an appeal. You will need to wait to receive the email before you can proceed.
 

Re-admission to your program

You’re eligible to apply for re-admission to the program after the first two semesters of your exclusion. You won’t automatically be re-admitted to the program from which you’ve been excluded at the end of the exclusion period. You must apply to be re-admitted through the normal application process. If you cancel your enrolment, you’ll still need to wait 03 semesters before applying for re-admission to the program, from which you’ve been excluded.
 

If you want to cancel your program

You must formally cancel your enrolment before the census date or relevant withdrawal date to avoid financial or academic penalties. Cancelling your enrolment will not stop the exclusion process.
 

International student visas

If you’re studying an RMIT program on a student visa, your visa may be cancelled if you’re excluded from your program for continued unsatisfactory academic performance.  

RMIT is required by law to notify the Immigration Office of any excluded students. 

If you’re being excluded and you cancel your enrolment, transfer to another RMIT program, or transfer to a program at another provider, RMIT is still obligated to notify the Immigration Office.  

If you appeal the decision, we won’t notify the Immigration Office until the appeal process has been completed (and then only if your appeal is unsuccessful). 

If your visa is cancelled, your status will be considered unlawful and this may affect future visa applications. For more information about your visa requirements, contact Student Visa Support RUVN student.visa@rmit.edu.vn.