Deferring studies
What's the difference between deferring and interrupting?
To defer your studies means to delay the commencement of your program to a future semester (i.e. to delay your first day in a program to a future semester).
Informally, many students use the word 'defer' to mean 'take a temporary break from studies'.
Strictly speaking, if you have started studying and you want to take a break, the correct word to use is interruption.
It's important to understand the difference between deferring and interrupting, because they refer to quite different administrative processes.
Deferring is explained on this page. See the Interrupting studies page if you're a current UQ student and you want to take an interruption.
How do I defer my program?
Domestic undergraduate students
If you applied through QTAC to commence a program in Semester 1, you can defer your program for 1 year.
Offers for mid-year (i.e. Semester 2) entry cannot be deferred.
See Deferring your QTAC offer for more information.
Domestic postgraduate coursework students
The process of deferring a postgraduate coursework program depends on how you applied for the program.
I applied online to UQ
If you want to defer, you can request to change your start date when you respond to your offer in UQ applications.
If you’ve already accepted your offer, send a request to your unique application email address. You can find it in the confirmation email you received when you submitted your application. If you don't have it, see how to contact us about your application.
In your request, include:
- the reason you want to defer
- your preferred semester to start at UQ.
I applied through QTAC
If you applied through QTAC to commence a program in Semester 1, you can defer your program for 1 year.
Offers for mid-year (i.e. Semester 2) entry cannot be deferred.
See Deferring your QTAC offer for more information.
If you defer, you must pay fees at the rate applicable when you commence the program.
International students
The process of deferring depends on how you applied for the program.
I applied online to UQ
If you want to defer, you can request to change your start date when you respond to your offer in UQ applications.
If you've already accepted your offer, send a request to your unique application email address. You can find it in the confirmation email you received when you submitted your application. If you don't have it, see how to contact us about your application.
In your request, include:
- the reason you want to defer
- your preferred semester to start at UQ.
I applied through QTAC
You’ll receive an email from UQ with instructions on how to respond to your offer, including requesting deferral.
Higher degree by research (HDR) students
If you're unable to commence within the research quarter stated on your offer of admission and/or offer of scholarship, you may be able to delay your commencement and defer your offer(s).
Follow the instructions for requesting delayed commencement.