If the student cannot attend the activities required by the teaching plans, he or she shall ask for leave in advance by following such procedures:

（1）fill the “Application Form for Leave” and gain the approval from his or her supervisor and department

（2）submit the application form for leave to International Students Office (ISO) for final approval.

The approval of leave only takes effect after completing all the procedures. The reason for application for leave must be true. Those who applied for leave with fake excuses will be given disciplinary punishment.

For international students, there are three kinds of leave: academic leave, sick leave and personal leave.

(1) Academic leave: students apply for leave due to activities arranged by USTC or the department or the supervisor for the purpose of fieldwork, social practice, scientific research, academic communication and etc.

(2) Sick leave: students apply for leave due to their own illness. To apply for sick leave, students must submit medical report from hospital.

(3) Personal leave: students apply for leave due to activities NOT arranged by USTC or the department or the supervisor, or important event of students themselves or their family.

No matter which kind of leave the student has taken, it shall not influence the study schedule and will not be considered as the appropriate reason for delay of graduation. During the period of leave, the student shall still keep in contact with his or her supervisor.

If during the class the student need ask for leave due to illness or personal issue, he or she shall apply to the teacher, and the teacher will decide whether to approve or not according to the circumstance. The student should submit “Application Form for Leave” to ISO afterwards. The application for leave during examination period will not be accepted ordinarily. For special occasion, students must submit application in advance with detailed explanation and re-take the course in next semester. Student who does not attend the examination without approval will be considered as absent from Examination.

It is unacceptable to submit application for leave after the event unless it is emergent situation. For special occasion, if the student is unable to submit the application in advance, he or she shall at least send the application to ISO through email to explain the reason and complete all the required procedures with supporting documents after returning to USTC. After returning to USTC from leave, the student must report back at ISO in person on the first working day after returning. For special occasion, if the student is unable to do so or needs extension of leave, he or she shall apply for extension of leave with detailed reason before the end of leave.

Students who need to apply for suspension shall fill the “Application Form for suspension” in advance, which you can get from ISO or download from International College website. Please follow the procedures to complete your application:

(1) To ask for approval from your supervisor and department

(2) To submit it to ISO and graduate school for final approval.

The application only takes effect after completing all the procedures.

Before returning to USTC from suspension, the student has to report back at ISO of his/her return date. He/she shall complete all procedure of resuming study in person. He or she shall fill the “Application Form for resuming study”, which you can get from ISO or download from our website，and ask for approval from supervisor and department, then submit it to ISO for final approval. The application only takes effect after completing all the procedures. The student who was in suspension of schooling because of illness should provide the certificate of recovery. For special occasion, if the student needs extension of suspension, he or she shall apply for extension of suspension with detailed reason before the end of suspension. The extension only takes effect after it is accepted by ISO.

Theoretically, students are not allowed to change major or supervisor in principle. Those having special reasons to change their supervisor/major/school shall get approval from both original and new supervisor/department/school, fill the “Application Form for Changing of Major or Supervisor”，which you can get from ISO or download from our website. Then please submit your application to ISO and higher authority for final approval. The application only takes effect after completing all the procedures. 

Please note: Student who wants to change his/her major shall consult with teaching secretary in advance whether the credits obtained meet the requirement in new department.

Completion of study:

Upon completion of study in USTC, non-degree students can get a Completion Certificate from International College after they have finished the clearance procedure for leaving USTC.

Graduation:

International College will confirm with supervisor and departments about whether the students can graduate or not in the coming July at the beginning of spring semester. Degree students, after completing their degree programs, can get Graduation Certificate from International College after they have finished the clearance procedure for leaving USTC.

As for degree certificate/diploma, students should follow the procedures regulated in the department to submit application, and if approved, can get it from department office. Please consult teaching secretary of the department for details in this respect.

Students who cannot graduate at the stipulated time can apply for extension of their study program. However, if a scholarship student want to apply for extension, his/her scholarship may not be retained during the period of extension and she/he may be transferred to self-financed student.

Students extending their study program as a self-financed student need to pay the fees as following:

(1) Tuition fees: Students having completed all required courses and only waiting for thesis defense, can apply for tuition waiver for the extended period. Otherwise, they have to pay the tuition fees in accordance with USTC tuition standards.

(2) Accommodation: dormitories on campus are provided for scholarship students in priority. Students extending as a self-financed student can apply for dormitory if it is available but need to pay all fees by themselves.

(3) Insurance: Students extending as a self-financed student need to pay by themselves the fee for insurance designated by USTC.

(4) Students extending as a self-financed student should bear all living cost and other expenses.

We do not expect any international student at USTC to withdraw from our university. Due to special reasons, those who have to withdraw from their study program at USTC should get approval from supervisor and department and fill the “Application Form for Withdrawal”, which they can get from ISO or download from our website. Then please submit the application to ISO and higher authority for final approval. The application only takes effect after completing all the procedures.

We do not advise and encourage any international student to apply for transferring to another university or transferring from another university to USTC. Those who have to transfer their study program due to special reasons should contact their supervisors, departments and higher authority from original and expected universities in advance. After having gained approval from both universities' authorities, students may apply for transferring to USTC or to another university. The application only takes effect after completing all the procedures.