Applying for special approval (waiver)

If you are required to take a unit but have not satisfied the prerequisites, you may be eligible for a prerequisite waiver or special approval.

A waiver may only be requested for core units, or for units that are required for a Course Transfer. There are two types of waiver request.

There are two types of special approval (waiver) requests:

1.  Units requiring waivers

  • A prerequisite is a unit, a requirement or condition that you need to completed/satisfy before enrolment into a particular unit.
  • A corequisite is a unit that you must complete prior to or concurrently with another unit.

Special approval (waiver) may be granted to students who have not completed the prerequisites or co-requisites for a particular unit but who can demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge to complete it successfully. However, there may be situations where Special approval can't be granted, for example, where rules apply in some units of study in externally accredited courses.

A prerequisite waiver may be granted to students who have not completed the prerequisites or corequisites for a core unit but who can demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge to complete it successfully. However, there are situations where a prerequisite waiver will not be granted, such as in externally accredited courses with specific rules and unit requirements, or for flexible zone units which are not required for the degree or for a Course Transfer.

If the unit is in your flexible zone, you will need to choose an alternate unit that you meet the pre-requisite for.

2. Permission by special approval

Special approval is required for some special units, such as research projects, PACE units or special interest topics.

Seek course guidance for more information about what is required for enrolment into these units.

Requests not considered for special approval (waiver)

Requests for the following reasons do not fall under special approval (waivers):

  • Wanting to study more than the maximum number of credit points in a study period
  • Requesting additional space on your study plan
  • Recognition of prior learning
  • Requesting alternative arrangements for your PACE unit

Contact Service Connect for more information about these processes and how to apply.

Apply for Special Approval

Follow our application process for further information on applying for Special Approval and submission timelines.

If you are applying for MGMT8080 or MQBS3000, there is a separate procedure for special approval.

Direct any questions about the special approval process to AskMQ.

If you are an Inbound Exchange/Study Abroad student and have not completed the prerequisite or co-requisite at Macquarie, you will need to apply for a waiver. You will need to demonstrate that you have equivalent prior study or experience to be considered.

Exchange or Study Abroad students need to submit an official copy of their home university transcript. This needs to include your most recent marks and grades and should clearly state the degree you are studying and your home institution.

For additional information and step-by-step support, visit the accept and enrol page.

We will contact exchange or Study Abroad students about their waiver requests through their Macquarie Student email address. Contact the Student Mobility Team if you have difficulty accessing your student email account.

This form is for OUA students who wish to seek prerequisite waiver approval in order to enrol into a Macquarie OUA Unit including students who are:

  1. currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts OUA degree or the Bachelor of Security Studies OUA degree at Macquarie University
  2. seeking OUA cross-institutional studies
  3. currently enrolled into an OUA degree at another OUA provider
  4. seeking OUA non-award studies (not enrolled in an OUA Degree).

If you wish to have your OUA prerequisite waiver requests processed for the current or upcoming session(s), you must have submitted the request by close of business Friday, Week 1 of session.

Requests submitted after this date may not be processed by the last date to enrol for the current session (Sunday, Week 2 of Session). Late requests will not be considered as exceptional circumstances for the purpose of late unit enrolment.

The processing time for these applications can take up to seven to 10 working days. You can check the outcome of your requests on AskMQ and your student email.

Procedure

Complete and submit the OUA Prerequisite Waiver online application form with supporting documentation:

  1. An official academic transcript or record of study. A transcript must clearly show:
    • the name of the institution
    • your student number
    • your name, the names of each unit or subject you have undertaken
    • the session/term in which the study was undertaken
    • the result for each unit/subject.

    A printout of your current academic record from your University’s student system is acceptable. Your transcript should be recently issued and cover the current study period.

  2. Relevant unit outlines
After submission

After submission of the OUA Prerequisite Waiver form, allow two to three weeks for your application to be processed.

If you don't hear from us after three weeks, send an enquiry through AskMQ quoting:

  • your application's reference number
  • your full name in accordance with your submitted application form
  • the units that you are applying for.

If you have any enquiries regarding any other administrative process, email nonaward@mq.edu.au.