Unsatisfactory academic progress
As part of good teaching practice, the University reviews the academic progress of all students on a mid-year and end-of-year basis. This process is called Academic Review.
If you are a student who has been identified as making unsatisfactory progress you may have questions like:
- What is academic review?
- Why have I been notified?
- What can I do in response?
- How can I improve my grades?
- Online resources
What is academic review?
Academic Review is a formal University process designed to identify students who are failing some or all of their courses and direct them to the appropriate source of personal and/or academic assistance. If your progress is reviewed as satisfactory the University will not contact you. However if your progress is considered unsatisfactory the University will decide on an intervention strategy depending on whether it is the first or subsequent time you have been identified.
For information about the policy and procedures for academic review select the following link: Assessment Policy and Procedures Manual
Why have I been notified?
You have been notified in writing because, according to the university's policy, your results are unsatisfactory.
The University identifies unsatisfactory progress as:
- failing a course for the second time, or
- failing courses in an academic review period, which results in a grade point average (GPA) for that period of less than 2.80 (for help in calculating your GPA click here), or
- failing a practicum, field or clinical placement, which results in the failure of the course
What can I do in response?
In all instances you need to respond to the directions outlined in the letter within the specified timeframes and keep a record of the actions you have taken, plus any written documentation you have acquired as a result of the letter.
The following link provides further information about the notification stages of academic review and what you will need to do for each:
What are the different notification stages of academic review?
If you require advice, assistance or support with this process you can contact:
- your Program Director
- A Counsellor in the Learning and Teaching Unit
- Campus Central staff
- An Advocate in Unilife
How can I improve my grades?
If you have been making unsatisfactory progress with your study it is important you seek the appropriate personal and/or academic assistance to help you improve your academic performance. Things like illness, stress, anxiety, poor time management, financial difficulties, poor study skills, procrastination, adjustment issues, grief and loss can all impact on your ability to be an effective student and do well in your program. The University provides a range of services to assist you manage the impact of any health, personal or academic issues and develop the necessary skills to be be a successful student.
For example, if you have:
- difficulties with your accommodation, you can contact the Accommodation Services
- an academic grievance or complaint, you will need to contact an Advocate in Unilife
- concerns you may be in the wrong program, you can meet with a Career Adviser to discuss your options
- health, financial or personal issues that are affecting your well-being and ability to study, you should make an appointment with a Counsellor
- a medical condition or a disability that is impacting on your study, you should meet with a Disability Adviser
- issues with your student visa, health cover requirements or work rights in Australia you need to meet with an International Student Officer
- academic and learning difficulties, you should make appointment with a Learning Adviser
- issues with unlawful discrimination and harassment, you can contact the Student Ombud office directly
Online resources:
- Academic writing
- Assignment help
- Disability support
- Exams
- Academic reading
- Personal well-being
- Managing your time and workload
- Managing stress
- Money Matters
- Online learning
- Referencing
- Motivation
- Studying at UniSA for international students
If you require further assistance, please make an
appointment with a counsellor in the Learning and Teaching Unit on
your campus.
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