Deferring

Postpone the start of your degree

If you're a student who received an offer to study at Macquarie University in 2021 and 2022 through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), or directly from the University, you can defer your place for one year.

This may be extendable to two years under certain circumstances; see below.

If you are a current Macquarie student and want to take time off between years of study, refer to the discontinue your current program page.

The deferment information below applies to domestic commencing students only. International students should contact Macquarie International.

Apply for deferment

To defer your course for one year, you must follow these steps:

1. Check that your course of offer is available for deferment.
2. Retrieve your Macquarie Student ID.
3. Withdraw from any units enrolled (if any).
4. Submit your deferment request online through eStudent before the closing date for deferment.

Deferment (online via eStudent)

Extension of deferment (via AskMQ)

For more guidance view the eStudent Deferral Guide [PDF 566KB]. Check to make sure all your personal details are correct on eStudent.

Further information is available through the Deferment of a Coursework Program Offer Procedure.

Problems with deferring

Deferment for one year

If you received an offer for undergraduate degree study at Macquarie for 2021/2022 through UAC you can defer your place for one year.

If you have received an offer for Macquarie University International College (MUIC) diploma or foundation program, you may only request to defer your offer of admission to the next available commencing term. Contact AskMQ for your deferment request.

Deferment is NOT available for:

• Articulation into a Bachelor degree from a pathway program ie. Macquarie University International College, Next Step pathway and TAFE.
• Offers received through internal course transfer
• Other course offers such as:
  • Cross Institutional Studies
  • Diploma of Languages
  • Diploma of Speech and Communication
  • Bachelor of Actuarial Studies with Professional Practice (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Professional Practice and Bachelor of Professional Accounting
  • Bachelor of Professional Practice and Bachelor of Business Analytics

Extension of deferment

If you are eligible under the Government Youth Allowance (Independent Rate) workplace participation criteria you may extend your deferment an additional year (a total of two years’ deferment). This requires that you have worked full-time (at least 30 hours a week) for at least 18 months in the previous two years. We will require a signed letter from your employer/s as evidence of this and a letter from Centrelink confirming you are participating in Government Youth Allowance.

If you are required to attend National Service for your country, you may extend your deferment an additional year (a total of two years’ deferment). We will require an enlisting letter, a confirmation letter from your country's Defence Department or its equivalent as evidence of this.

MUIC deferment closing dates

Undergraduate Certificate (Bachelor Pathways) deferment closing dates

Postgraduate students

Deferment for one year

If you have received an offer for postgraduate coursework degree study at Macquarie for 2021 you may be able to defer your place at Macquarie for one year. Deferments are available in a 12 month block only.

Deferment is only available for some postgraduate coursework fee paying programs. Check the deferment availability table [PDF 145KB] to see if your course can be deferred.

Deferment is not available for Commonwealth Supported Place offers.

After you have applied

Notification of your deferment request

The University will notify you of your deferment outcome via your student email account within a few weeks of your deferment submission.

Follow the instructions stated in the deferment outcome advice to accept your deferred offer.

Enquiries

Future Students
T: +61 (2) 9850 6767
Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5.30pm