FAQ – Questions about unsatisfactory performance of studies

Q8.1 Under what circumstances will I be discontinued from my studies?
Q8.2 Will I be discontinued from studies if I have failed the same course for 3 times?
Q8.3 Which units I should seek help from if my academic result in the first semester is not good or if I need to sit for the FRC or CoD?

Q8.1 Under what circumstances will I be discontinued from my studies?
According to UG 4 of the Regulations for First Degree Curricula, you will be required to discontinue your studies if you have:

  • failed to complete successfully 36 or more credits in two consecutive semesters (not including the summer semester), except where you are not required to take such a number of credits in the two given semesters, or
  • failed to achieve an average Semester GPA of 1.0 or higher for two consecutive semesters, or
  • exceeded the maximum period of registration specified in the regulations of the degree.

If you are required to discontinue your studies, you will be interviewed by the Faculty Review Committee on Student Performance and Discontinuation (FRC) before your case is considered by the University’s Committee on Discontinuation (COD). There will be academic staff members and an undergraduate student representative on the panel. They will consider your individual circumstances (academic and non-academic) and make a recommendation on whether you shall be required to discontinue your studies. At the meeting, you shall be given a chance to explain the difficulties you have encountered and to receive advice on improving your academic performance and resolving study-related problems.

Q8.2 Will I be discontinued from studies if I have failed the same course for 3 times?
It depends. Some (not all) curriculums stipulate that the maximum number of attempts for a particular course or requirement is three. As such, students pursuing these curriculums might need to sit for the FRC/ COD if they have failed the same course for three times and might be at the risk of being discontinued from studies.

Q8.3 Which units I should seek help from if my academic result in the first semester is not good or if I need to sit for the FRC or CoD?
If you have any study problems, you can always seek help from your Faculty Academic Advisers or from us, the advisers at the Academic Advising and Scholarships Office. You can make an appointment with us here.