The ABCs of APCs
Can someone get kicked out of uni for failing a unit? Read on for a crash course in academic progress.
If you have failed units, the University will assign you a risk level, and you may be asked via email to complete either of the two online tools:
The purpose of this is so that the University can make sure that you are receiving the support you need in your studies and that you are on the right track to pass your units. You can learn more about the whole process here.
Not responding to this prompt from the University can have serious consequences, especially if you have been assigned a high risk level. In these circumstances, you may be invited to attend an academic progress hearing (APC).
What is an APC hearing and what does it mean if you’re invited to attend one?
An APC hearing is a meeting with your faculty staff, where you will be asked to explain why you have failed and show what strategies you have in place to help you pass future units. For anyone facing this, it can seem daunting, but our MGA advocates have guided many graduate students through their APC hearings.
From mental health and illness to issues with finances or time management, there are many reasons why a student may struggle to meet their academic requirements. The University wants to see students identify such reasons and communicate how they will manage things going forward.
In a nutshell, the purpose of the hearing is to review your
academic progress and decide whether you can continue with your studies at Monash.
If you’ve been invited to attend an APC hearing and have given permission to share your information, MGA advocates may contact you directly to support you through the process - they can also attend the hearing with you!
What should you do if you are invited to an APC hearing?
First up, you should prepare an explanation to the following questions:
- What impacted your studies / caused you to fail?
- What have you done to address this?
- What will you do in the future to help you succeed in your studies? What is your plan?
Once you’ve given this some thought, we recommend that you get in touch with our advocacy service. Contacting an MGA advocate is the best way of ensuring that you’re in safe, knowledgeable and reliable hands. Don’t brave this storm alone. Email us at mga-advocacy@monash.edu for advice on your APC hearing.