Under special circumstances students may seek deferment once and for up to
one year during the medical course.
All applications for deferment must be made in writing to the dean who is the
only person who may grant a deferment, and decisions will normally be made
following an interview with the dean.
In considering applications the dean will take account of any medical,
financial, social, emotional or psychological problems that could potentially
be remedied by deferment. The deferment must therefore be used to assist the
student to satisfactorily progress through the medical course.
Deferments are not granted automatically. However, students seeking deferral
for one calendar year between school and the commencement of first year will be
treated sympathetically. Application for the deferment of first year must be
made in writing following receipt of an offer of a place in the medical course
and must be lodged by the date of enrolment specified at the time of offer.
Because of the regulation requiring students to satisfy all the requirements of
each year of the medical course within one calendar academic year, any student
granted a deferment at any time through the year will be required to return to
studies at the start of the following year and repeat work already completed,
unless specific exemptions from parts of work (eg practical classes) are
granted by course conveners. Returning students will be required to enrol as
full-time students, with HECS and other fee liabilities.