If you drop a unit before the census date:

• this is called a withdrawal
• the unit is fully removed from your academic transcript and statements
• you're not liable to pay the unit fee.

If it's before the last day to add

To drop a unit:

• log in to Sydney Student
• go to ‘My studies’, ‘Units of study’, then ‘Change your units of study'
• on the unit of study selection screen select the rubbish bin next to the unit you want to remove
• select 'Continue' and then 'Confirm' on the confirmation screen to finalise your change.

If it's after the last day to add

To drop a unit:

• after last day to add for the main semester you won't see the rubbish bin symbol next to the unit so you can’t remove a unit yourself. This applies even if you’re enrolled in a late intensive with its own last day to add deadline
• if you're dropping a unit but will still maintain a full-time study load, you'll need to submit a request through the unit of study selection issues form. 
  • Include in your request that you want to remove a unit after the last day to add deadline.

Dropping to a full-time study load

If you drop a unit after the census date but before the last day of teaching, and will still maintain a full-time study load:

• a 'DF' (i.e. 'Discontinue fail’) will be recorded on your academic transcript
• this counts as a fail on your transcript but does not affect your Weighted Average Mark (WAM)
• you cannot re-enrol in the unit for that study period
• you remain liable for the unit fees
• a DF grade can be a trigger for academic progression, so you may receive a warning that you haven’t made satisfactory progress in your degree.

How to request

To drop a unit:

• you will need to request this by submitting the unit of study selection issues form
• you will need to submit this request before the last day of teaching (last date to discontinue fail).

If you request a DF, you can still apply for late discontinuation from a unit of study under special circumstances if you have experienced compassionate or compelling reasons. If your application is approved, your DF will be updated to a 'Discontinued not to count as failure' (DC).

Reduced study load in special circumstances

If the census date has passed, you will only be able to discontinue from a unit and reduce your study load if you have been impacted by circumstances beyond your control. In this instance you can apply for late discontinuation from a unit of study under special circumstances.

If your application is approved, you will receive a DC grade which does not count as a fail on your transcript and fees associated with your unit of study will be remitted.

You can no longer discontinue from a unit after the last day of teaching, which is the last date to discontinue fail (DF) unless you can demonstrate special circumstances. This means:

• a grade/mark will be recorded on your academic transcript based on the assessment you have completed
• you remain liable for the unit fees.