Progression improvement plan
Completing a Progression Improvement Plan can help you identify why you aren't meeting the required levels of academic progress and the steps you can take to get back on track.
See the Progression Alerts and Interventions page for more information on receiving a Progression Intervention notice,understanding the Academic Progression Procedure, and how your student visa may be impacted.
3. How to write your Progression Improvement Plan
For your Progression Improvement Plan to be approved, you must demonstrate a clear plan for improving your academic performance.
What to include
You'll be asked to select the main reason for your submission from a list of categories. This should then guide how you address the following questions:
You'll be asked to provide relevant supporting evidence, such as copies of a medical certificate, a letter from your counsellor or a statutory declaration.
All supporting documentation and evidence must be in English. If you're submitting documents in a language other than English, an official English translation must also be submitted. Translations must be completed by a translator certified by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
- UQ offers NAATI translation services through the Institute of Modern Languages (IML).
- If the translation is not completed by a NAATI translator or obtained outside Australia, it must be certified as authentic by a Notary Public, an authorised representative of UQ (i.e. agents), or a records officer or senior administrator at the issuing institution.
Writing your submission
For each of the main reasons for making a submission, we've provided recommendations for:
- the steps you can take now and include in your submission
- who to contact for advice and support
- supporting documentation and evidence you can provide.
Medical condition
Medical conditions can include:
- mental health condition,
- physical condition (e.g. deaf or hard of hearing, paraplegia),
- chronic/long-term health condition or ongoing medical treatment,
- neurodivergence, or
- short-term condition/illness (e.g. surgery, temporary injury or undiagnosed condition under investigation).
Recommended steps/who to contact
If you have a disability, mental health or medical condition, illness or injury, you are advised to book an appointment with a Student Adviser for support and guidance on how to:
- complete a Medical/Disability Information form
- apply for exam adjustments or specialised equipment
- develop a Student Access Plan (SAP), which can act as a communication tool between you and your course coordinators about in-class participation, activities, assessments, and reasonable adjustments
- access relevant Student Support resources, including the programs offered through the Neurodivergent Hub.
If you're experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or other challenges, book an appointment with a UQ Counsellor face-to-face, over the phone or via zoom.
Acceptable supporting evidence
Medical certificates should include your diagnosis, how this impacted your ability to meet your academic requirements, and (for short-term-conditions or illness) your expected date of recovery. For more information, see our requirements for medical certificates.
For mental health conditions, physical conditions, chronic/long-term health conditions, or neurodivergence:
- Medical/Disability Information Form
- Student Access Plan (SAP)
- medical certificate/documentation from a general practitioner (GP), psychologist, specialist service or other appropriate health care professional
- proof of appointment with the Student Adviser or UQ Counsellor (email confirmation).
For short-term conditions or illness:
- Medical/Disability information Form
- copies of a valid medical certificate from a general practitioner (GP) or hospital.
Unacceptable supporting evidence
- photographs of illness or injury (e.g. arm in a cast)
- photographs of scripts or medication
- medical certificates in languages other than English (if an official English translation has not also been submitted).
Adjustments to program and/or study techniques
Recommended steps / who to contact
- complete the Back on Track module
- view the Student Support study skills and learning advice resources
- learn more about withdrawing from a course or program, including how to withdraw and remove courses due to special circumstances
- enrol in one or more of the study skills workshops offered through Student Support
- book an appointment with a Learning Adviser for assistance in developing study skills
- contact your faculty or school for academic advice on your program or course selection or help creating a study plan
- start using a planner to organise your tasks, plan how you allocate your time and track your goals.
Acceptable supporting evidence
- completed study plan
- proof of appointment with Learning Adviser or Faculty Academic Adviser (email confirmation)
- proof of enrolment in study skills workshop/s (email confirmation).
Incorrect choice of program, major or courses
Recommended steps / who to contact
- complete the Back on Track module on learn.UQ (Blackboard)
- learn more about withdrawing from a course or program, including how to withdraw and remove courses due to special circumstances
- contact your faculty or school for academic advice on your program or course selection,or help creating a study plan
- book an appointment with a Learning Adviser for guidance on developing your study skills
- enrol in one or more of the study skills workshops offered through Student Support.
Acceptable supporting evidence
- completed study plan
- proof of appointment with Learning Adviser or Faculty Academic Adviser (email confirmation)
- proof of enrolment in study skills workshop/s (email confirmation).
Balancing study with other responsibilities
Recommended steps / who to contact
- complete the Back on Track module
- view the Student Support study skills and learning advice resources
- book an appointment with a Learning Adviser for guidance on developing your study skills
- contact your faculty or school for academic advice on your program or course selection or help creating a study plan
- enrol in one or more of the study skills workshops offered through Student Support
- start using a planner to organise your tasks, plan how you allocate your time and track your goals
- speak with your employer about reducing your responsibilities/work hours (for issues balancing work commitments).
Acceptable supporting evidence
- completed study plan
- proof of appointment with Learning Adviser or Faculty Academic Adviser (email confirmation)
- proof of enrolment in study skills workshop/s (email confirmation)
- evidence from an employer of reduced working hours.
Bereavement
This can include:
- bereavement, or
- serious illness of close relationship.
Recommended steps / who to contact
- book an appointment with a UQ Counsellor face-to-face, over the phone or via Zoom
- if required, contact inclusion@uq.edu.au for further clarification on the required documentation.
Acceptable supporting evidence
- documentation from a general practitioner (GP) or psychologist/counsellor
- funeral notice
- death certificate
- court document
- proof of appointment with UQ Counsellor (email confirmation).
Unacceptable supporting evidence
- documentation in languages other than English (if an official English translation has not been submitted).
Difficulty understanding academic language
Recommended steps / who to contact
- complete the Back on Track module.
- view the Student Support study skills and learning advice resources
- enrol in one or more of the study skills workshops offered through Student Support
- contact your faculty or school for academic advice on your program or course selection or help creating a study plan
- contact Student Advocacy and Support if you need help preparing your submission.
Acceptable supporting evidence
- proof of enrolment in Academic English support course/s (email confirmation)
- proof of enrolment in study skills workshop/s (email confirmation)
- proof of appointment with Learning Adviser or Faculty Academic Adviser (email confirmation).
Other compelling and/or compassionate circumstances
Other compelling and/or compassionate circumstances can include:
- carer responsibilities
- significant life event or personal problems
- domestic and/or family violence
- refugee, humanitarian crisis/global events/environmental disaster
- undertaking training or service through the Australian Defence force
- elite athlete status.
Recommended steps / who to contact
Book an appointment with a Student Adviser to discuss the circumstances impacting your academic progress and guidance on how to:
- complete a Carer Medical Form (for those with primary carer responsibilities), and
- access UQ support services.
Contact inclusion@uq.edu.au if you require:
- advice and further clarification on the compelling and/or compassionate circumstances that will be considered, and
- assistance regarding the required documentation for your circumstances.
For support managing difficult circumstances, book an appointment with a UQ Counsellor face-to-face, over the phone or via Zoom.
Acceptable supporting evidence
- proof of appointment with Student Adviser or UQ counsellor (email confirmation)
- Carer Medical Form
- court reports / documents
- Refugee – protection visa
- documentation from a psychologist, specialist service or health care professional (e.g. general practitioner)
- official letter from the Australian Defence Force stating training requirements
- Elite Athlete Status registration.
Unacceptable supporting evidence
- documentation in languages other than English (if an official English translation has not been submitted).
More information
For more information, view the Academic Progression Procedure.