UQ show cause: deadline, steps and what happens next

Read the notice and confirm your deadline

Start with the notice. It says you must submit a Progression Improvement Plan to show why you should be permitted to remain enrolled in your program. The plan must be lodged in the approved way no later than 20 business days from the date the notice is issued. The pages we read do not name the approved lodgement method, so check your notice and the university's page for that detail. Keep a copy of the notice and any submission receipt you get. If you are unsure what the approved way is, ask Student Advocacy & Support (SAS) or UQ Union to read the notice with you.

One trigger in the rules is that failing at least 50% of the total unit value in the current Study Review Period leads to Progression Intervention if the previous standing was not None or Satisfactory; otherwise the standing is Progression Alert. If your notice calls for a Progression Improvement Plan, use the 20-business-day deadline above.

What the plan needs to cover

The plan must clearly explain the circumstances behind your poor academic progress and identify the steps already taken and those planned to improve it. Write in your own words and keep to facts you can support. If you include evidence, it must be true evidence. Do not invent or exaggerate a reason, backdate or alter a document, or obtain a certificate for an illness you did not have. Keep copies of what you submit and keep the originals of any evidence you rely on. If you are enrolled in a dual degree, the rules say you may use the plan to seek permission to remain in the dual degree program or change your enrolment to one of the individual programs contributing to the dual degree.

What happens after you lodge

The Associate Dean (Academic) considers the Progression Improvement Plan and any other relevant matters. The Associate Dean may approve enrolment with or without conditions, or refuse enrolment with or without conditions. A refusal means your enrolment in all coursework studies will be cancelled, and you will not be able to apply to re-enrol for a period of time up to a maximum of 12 months; if no duration is specified, the period is 12 months. The decision will be given to you in writing, including any conditions. The notice must specify a time within which, and/or a duration during which, you must comply with the conditions. Read that notice carefully and diary any condition dates. The rules also say a student's enrolment will be cancelled if the student fails to lodge a Progression Improvement Plan by the date specified by the Academic Registrar.

If the decision goes against you

If the Associate Dean refuses enrolment, you may appeal by giving notice within 10 business days of receipt of the decision. The appeal is made in accordance with the Academic Administrative Appeals by Students Policy. Where a decision to refuse enrolment is appealed, the student may maintain provisional enrolment until the appeals process is complete. There is a separate path for a decision not to accept a late Progression Improvement Plan: a student may appeal that decision by giving notice within 20 business days of receipt of the decision, in accordance with the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure. If you receive a decision you do not understand, talk to Student Advocacy & Support (SAS) or UQ Union. The free help listed for UQ is Student Advocacy & Support (SAS) and UQ Union.