Enrolment exception requests

  1. Enrolment exception requests
  2. How to submit an enrolment exception request

How to submit an enrolment exception request

You are only able to submit an enrolment exception request through the unit of study selection screen in Sydney Student.

If you make a selection that breaks a rule, a pop-up message will display outlining the rule you are trying to break and prompting you to continue to submit an enrolment exception request if you believe you are eligible.

What to consider before submitting a request

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Delays to enrolment

If you submit an enrolment exception request it’s important to understand that you won’t be able to complete your enrolment or make any updates to your units until your request is processed, or you decide to cancel it.

Before deciding to submit a request, make sure you’ll meet your enrolment deadlines.

If units are available without needing to submit an enrolment request, consider selecting those units first so that you can complete enrolment, receive a timetable, and access unit Canvas sites when they become available. Once enrolled, you can then return to the unit of study selection screen as soon as possible to change your selection and submit your enrolment exception request.


When to submit a request

We recommend you apply as early as possible and at least two weeks before your enrolment deadline. 

Before deciding to submit a request make sure:

  • you’ve read all the information about the rules and the allowable exceptions
  • you’re aware of any important deadlines
  • you’ve considered whether there are alternative units you may be able to select.

Continuing to the request screen

If you select ‘Continue to submit a request’ from the pop-up message, you will be taken to the Enrolment exception request screen where you will be able to see the details of any rule you have broken and your pending requests. At this point your enrolment and unit of study selection is effectively pending.

Cancelling your request

If you change your mind, realise you’re not eligible or decide that it’s more important that you confirm your unit of study selection or complete your enrolment, you can select to ‘Cancel all requests’. You only have the ability to cancel all requests at the same time, so even if you realise you’re not eligible for one request, you will need to cancel them all. You will then need to return to the unit of study selection screen to confirm your unit of study selections and complete your enrolment.

Submitting your request

If you decide to request an exception, you will need to provide a reason, comments and any relevant supporting documents for each request.

You won’t be able to submit your requests until you have provided this information for each individual request.

Provide supporting information and documents

  1. Select a request and then select ‘Provide supporting information’
  2. Select from the list of reasons, the reason that applies to your situation
  3. Provide any required information in the Comments section
  4. Attach any relevant documents
  5. Select ‘Save and continue’. 

Refer to the eligibility section if you're unsure of the information and documents you'll need to provide.

Select 'Submit all requests'

Once you’ve completed all steps for each request, you will be given the option to ‘Submit all requests’.


What happens next and processing times

After submitting, we will process your requests and email you with your outcomes to your University student email account. They may need to be assessed by your faculty or school. It can take up to 10 business days for your application to be processed, however, during busy periods it may take longer. We will email you if any additional supporting information or documents are required. Your application won't be assessed until you have provided the required information.

You can view the status of your request in Sydney Student (go to ‘My requests’).

You will not be able to access your enrolment or unit of study selection until your requests have been processed.


Withdrawing your requests

Once you’ve submitted your requests you still have the option to withdraw them if you decide not to proceed. You only have the ability to withdraw all requests so if you want to withdraw one request, you will need to withdraw them all.

If you want to change your responses to a request, you will also need to withdraw all requests and submit again.

Log in to Sydney Student, go to 'My requests' and select ‘Withdraw all requests’ to withdraw your requests. We will then send you an email confirming that the requests have been withdrawn.

You will then need to return to the unit of study selection screen to review and complete your enrolment or confirm your unit of study selections.

Student Centre

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Phone

1800 SYD UNI (1800 793 864)
or +61 2 8627 1444 (outside Australia)

Find out more about how we can help

Last updated: 28 November 2025

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