Your academic progress
Academic progression is the way you and La Trobe work together to ensure you manage your studies and are able to successfully complete your course.
We understand that your studies can be impacted by many things. For example, you may find one of your subjects especially hard or you may have personal issues that make it hard to study effectively. Many students have difficulties – you're not alone.
Throughout the year we monitor the academic progress of all coursework students and assess whether it is satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Academic progression applies to your student record at La Trobe, not just your current courses. By monitoring your academic progress, we can determine whether supportive interventions will benefit you and your studies.
What we do
We check that you are managing your studies by monitoring your final marks and grades. At the end of each academic progression period (three times per year), we monitor final marks and grades to assess your progress.
We assess your progression as satisfactory or unsatisfactory, depending on how many subjects you passed or failed in the last progression period and how long you're taking to complete your course.
If your progress is assessed as satisfactory, you won't hear from us because you do not need to take any action.
If your progress is assessed as unsatisfactory, we will contact you because you have entered the formal academic progression process and there are steps for you to engage with that are designed to help you succeed at uni. We recognise that early identification and access to support services will help to achieve success. It is our hope that these steps will help you manage your studies so that you can continue in your course.
There are different reasons that your progress may be assessed as unsatisfactory, and these reasons are explained on the webpage for each Stage.
Unsatisfactory academic progress Stages
Support available to you - talk to us
If you receive an email as part of the formal academic progression process, it's very important that your follow the instructions in the email.
If we've advised you that your progress is unsatisfactory, we encourage you to seek support and make the most of your time at university.
Academic Progress LMS and workshops
The Academic Progress LMS and workshops are designed to help you understand what factors may be impacting your academic success and what supports are available to help you put your best foot forward and get back on track. The Academic Progress LMS is open to all students.
The LMS includes:
- Self-assessment
- Strategies for achieving at Uni
- Tips to get back on track
- How to shift your mindset
- Workshops to support you
- Finding the support you need around the uni
Support available to you
If you're facing challenges, visit our table of all services that can help you, or view the list below.
Talk to your Course, Discipline or Subject Coordinator about any issues or concerns affecting your studies.
Please seek advice from ASK La Trobe to ensure you can complete your course within the time period of your Confirmation of Enrolment (COE). This is a condition of your student visa. If required, you may be referred to an International Student Advisor.
Student Advocates are employees of the La Trobe Student Union (LTSU). They can assist you with administrative issues, welfare and support in a confidential, safe setting.
- helping students to understand their situation and discuss available options
- helping students to understand University Policy and Procedures
- helping students to prepare written submissions/letters
These services are provided at no cost to you. The Student Advocates are available to assist students from all campuses.
Contact Student Advocacy
La Trobe offers a range of services to support your wellbeing during your studies at La Trobe. From individual counselling to workshops and health promotion events. You can also access numerous self-help resources.
The Library is the place to develop and extend skills, for every student, at every level, on every campus through workshops, walk-ins and consultations. Seek assistance from Peer Learning Advisors (PLAs) and find a range of activities to assist you with your learning and studying.
The AccessAbility and Inclusion team can help you if you are identify as Autistic, ADHD, Dyslexic and/or another minority neurotype with Neurodiversity support needs, or live with or have a mental health condition, ongoing medical condition or disability (including physical, neurological, intellectual, sensory, acquired brain injury or specific learning difficulty).
You may also be eligible to register for services if you are caring for someone living with any of these conditions, or someone who is frail and aged.
Safer Community is a free and confidential service you can access if you experience or witness unacceptable or concerning behaviour to seek advice, support and referrals.
The Student Advising team provides you with individualised support for your studies. Student Advisors guide your transition into tertiary education, support you to achieve your academic goals and help you to get the most out of your university experience.
If the University imposes a condition on your enrolment, asks you to submit a Show Cause Submission form, or excludes you from your course, they will tell you about your options for appeal or review. You must lodge your Student Appeal Application within 20 working days from the date of the letter.
You may have grounds for appeal if you can demonstrate that the decision maker:
- Was unfair or unjust,
- didn't act in line with the Academic progress statute 2010,
- failed to take account of a relevant consideration, or took account of an irrelevant consideration.
If you have a complaint about how your case was handled, the Student Complaints Office can explain what actions you can take. These might include:
- firstly, asking the University Ombudsman to review the processes the University followed, to make sure they were correct
- if internal reviews are unsuccessful, asking the Victorian Ombudsman to review the processes the University used and determine whether they were reasonable or unreasonable.
International students
If the University decides to exclude you, La Trobe must report to the Department of Home Affairs that you haven't met the academic progress requirements for your course.
The Department may cancel your student visa.
La Trobe will report this to the Department on the following schedule:
- if you choose not to appeal: we'll lodge the report 20 working days after the date of the exclusion email from the University
- if you choose to appeal, and if your appeal is unsuccessful: we'll lodge the report 20 working days after the date of the letter informing you that your appeal was unsuccessful.
The 20 working days gives you time to lodge a complaint or ask for a review. Contact ASK La Trobe for support and assistance.
If you have questions about the statutes, policies or procedures below, contact ASK La Trobe.
Academic progress
- Academic Progress Review Policy
- A Short Guide to Academic Progress Statute 2010 [PDF 59 KB]
- Academic Progress Statute 2010 [PDF 55 KB]
Assessment
Taking leave from your studies