Academic progress is the way the University supports students who are failing courses and not making satisfactory progress towards completing their program.
We know there are many reasons why it can be difficult to keep up with your studies. It’s important to remember that, throughout this process, there are many support services available to get you back on track, and people who can help you succeed.
Schools offer academic advice and support to students who meet criteria to be considered ‘at risk’ of unsatisfactory academic progress, to help them improve their performance. The University provides support services to students in difficulties or who need to improve their study skills.
The University has a responsibility not to allow students to go on studying if they continue to fail courses and don’t look like finishing their program in the required time-frame. This can seem harsh to some students but is necessary to ensure that students don’t continue to incur fees when it seems unlikely that they’ll complete their qualification. Students with unsatisfactory academic progress may also benefit from having time away from University to address the underlying issues impacting their performance.
From 2019, a two-stage at-risk model has been implemented at RMIT Vietnam to align with RMIT academic policy (previously, students who made unsatisfactory academic progress for the third time were considered to be at the final stage).
From 2019, there are two key stages in the management of unsatisfactory academic progress at RMIT, first stage and final stage. When students reach final stage, they may be excluded from their programs for two semesters. The Registrar notifies ‘at-risk’ students of their academic standing at the end of every semester after their grades become available and invites them to show cause why they should not be excluded from their program. A PAB meets to consider their performance in the program. Until a determination is made, students are permitted to continue attending classes for their enrolled courses.
If you meet the criteria listed below, your school will identify you as being at risk of not meeting the academic requirements of your program. This is known as unsatisfactory academic progress.
The first time you meet one or more of the criteria above, you’re identified as being at risk of not meeting the academic requirements of your program.
Officially, this means you’re considered to be ‘first stage at risk’. If your academic performance continues to be unsatisfactory, you could be excluded from your program.
The Registrar will contact you by email after results are released (or after a change to a grade) to notify you of this and to offer you support. This is a chance to get the help you need to get back on track with your studies.
You’ll be given the opportunity to book a one-on-one appointment with an academic advisor. ..
The appointment provides an opportunity for students to:
Your level of engagement with the PIP program can be taken into consideration if you reach final stage at risk and face possible exclusion.
If you make unsatisfactory academic progress for a subsequent time (meaning you again meet one or more of the criteria above) in the same program, you may be identified as final stage at risk of not meeting the academic requirements of your program.
If this happens, you’ll be emailed by the Registrar after results are released (or after a change to a grade) and invited to provide a written submission, called a ‘show cause’ submission, to the Program Assessment Board (PAB).
The show cause submission is a way for you to explain your situation to the PAB. The Board will meet and, based on the information in your submission, decide whether or not you can continue in your program. They’ll base this decision on whether you have a reasonable likelihood of future success.
Before preparing your submission, you may want to consider if this 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, ensure you include the following information.
For the teaching periods in which you’ve been identified as at risk, especially the most recent teaching period, you need to explain:
For the next teaching period, you need to explain:
The Board will expect independent supporting documentation of any circumstances outside your control that have impaired your academic performance.
Typical supporting documents include:
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 (<2 MB) in PDF format to VN Assessment Support (assessment.support@rmit.edu.vn) no later than ten (10) working days (Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm (GMT+7)), from the day of the At Risk Final Stage email notification, preferably earlier.
Failure to lodge a show cause submission by the above deadline may result in exclusion from your program; taking a Leave of Absence will not prevent the PAB from considering your case for possible exclusion.
The PAB may decide to:
If the PAB decides you can continue in your program, you’ll be sent a 'PAB decision' email. You’ll continue to be officially at risk of not meeting the academic requirements of your program.
You’ll again be given the opportunity to talk to an academic advisor and develop an APIP. You’ll need to continue to meet the requirements in your APIP. If you meet one of the academic progress criteria in any subsequent semesters in the same program, you may need to provide another submission to the PAB.
If you’re recommended for exclusion, the Registrar will notify you of the exclusion decision by email. The exclusion will be effective immediately and apply for two semesters. Your enrolment will be cancelled and any fees paid will be refunded.
Yes. The email from the Registrar will include information about how to appeal. You need to wait to receive this email before you can submit an appeal.
If you can meet the grounds stated in the appeals section of the assessment processes (PDF 241KB, 45p) refer to 7.18; you might lodge an Appeal against Exclusion with the Registrar. You need to fill out and submit the Appeal against Exclusion form (PDF 75KB, 3p) within 20 working days from the date of the exclusion notification email.
You’re eligible to apply for re-admission to the program 2 semesters after exclusion. If you cancel your enrolment, you’ll still need to wait 2 semesters before applying for re-admission.
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 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 is completed (and then only if your appeal is unsuccessful).
If you’ve decided not to continue with your program, you must formally cancel your enrolment before the census or relevant withdrawal date. This will ensure you don’t incur fees or academic penalties.
If you’re finding it hard to keep up with your studies, there's help available.
Haven't found the services that you need? Please contact Student Connect.