Current Students

Deferment

Delay your start at UNSW if you can’t commence your degree straight away.

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See FAQs
A student sitting on Library Lawn with the Main Library building in the background

What is deferment?

Deferment allows you to delay the start of your degree for up to 2 years (or up to 12 months for UNSW Online Programs) after receiving an offer to study with us.

Have you already started your studies?

If you’ve completed at least one teaching period (i.e. term or semester), you can apply for program leave instead. Program leave is available for up to one year for continuing students and can be extended under exceptional circumstances.
Find out more

Who can defer?

You can defer your offer if you:

  • Receive an offer to study at UNSW; AND
  • Haven’t been given a deferment for the same (or a similar) degree before.

Exceptions for deferment
  • Co-op programs
  • One-year Honours programs, including Education (Secondary), Music and Psychological Science
  • Undergraduate Certificate programs
  • Master of Psychology
  • Graduate Diploma of Mine Geotechnical Engineering
  • Graduate Diploma in Aviation (Flying)
  • Non-Award and Cross Institutional Study
  • UNSW Canberra Defence sponsored students (ADFA Trainee Officers, current serving ADF members and DCUS students).

See also

How do I defer?
I've received my program offer but haven't accepted it yet.

To defer your program:

  1. Follow the instructions on Accept Online and select Deferment before the start of term.
  2. Save or print the screen for your records.
  3. Check your email for a Deferment Confirmation letter over the next two weeks. This email will include information on how to take up your deferred place in a future term.

After the start of the upcoming teaching period, you'll have to submit an enquiry to the UNSW Admissions Office to request deferment.

If you haven’t received your Deferment Confirmation letter within two weeks of deferring your offer, call the UNSW Admissions Office on +61 (2) 9385 3656 or submit an enquiry.

  • To defer your program, submit an enquiry no later than the census date.

    Once your deferment is processed, you’ll receive a Deferment Confirmation letter by email with information on how to take up your deferred place in a future academic period.

    If you haven’t received your Deferment Confirmation letter within two weeks of deferring your offer, call the UNSW Admissions Office on +61 (2) 9385 3656 or submit an enquiry.

  • To defer your program, submit an enquiry no later than the census date.

    If you've already enrolled in courses, you'll be dropped from them while we process your deferment.

    Please note: If you cancel your deferment request after you're dropped from your courses, you'll have to re-enrol. Depending on availability, you may not get to re-enrol in the same courses/classes.

    Once your deferment is processed, you’ll receive a Deferment Confirmation letter by email with information on how to take up your deferred place in a future term.

    If you haven’t received your Deferment Confirmation letter within two weeks of deferring your offer, contact The Nucleus: Student Hub. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

  • If you haven’t accepted your offer yet, you have until the specified deadline on Accept Online to defer.

    If you have accepted your offer and enrolled in a course, you have until the census date to defer. 

    Requests submitted after these dates will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may result in your offer lapsing or a financial penalty.

  • Most UNSW programs can be deferred to start in Term 1, 2 or 3. However, some courses can only start in Term 1. Reach out to The Nucleus: Student Hub for further information on enrolment restrictions.
    Contact us

  • No. Deferring your degree is free.

  • If you defer your offer to study at UNSW and you study at an AQF Diploma level or higher during the deferment period, your deferment will lapse. To be considered for re-admission to UNSW, you’ll need to reapply and declare all your studies.

  • Log into UNSW Accept Online once your new offer has been issued, accept your deferred offer and enrol. Check your Confirmation of Deferment letter to see when and how to do this.
    UNSW Accept Online

Program contacts

Coursework degrees

Kensington campus

P: +61 (2) 9385 3656
E: enquiry.unsw.edu.au

Canberra campus

P: +61 (2) 6268 6000
E: sas@adfa.edu.au

Higher Degree Research (HDR)

Kensington campus

P: +61 (2) 9385 6731
E: international.grs@unsw.edu.au or
domestic.grs@unsw.edu.au

Canberra campus

P: +61 (2) 6268 8112
E: rsu@adfa.edu.au

(Scholarship recipients must cc Kensington campus)

UNSW Online

UNSW Online

P: 1300 974 990 or +61 (2) 8123 2858
E: future-student@studyonline.unsw.edu.au