A graduate student proceeding to a degree must maintain continuous registration, either part-time or full-time, in each successive term from initial registration until the end of the term in which requirements for the degree are satisfied. The onus lies with the student to make sure that registration is completed each term.
A graduate student who fails to register in any term will be considered to have withdrawn from the program. For re-admission, the student must apply to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Re-admission is not always guaranteed and is at the discretion of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
On the recommendation of the Associate Dean/Graduate Student Services the Vice-Provost (Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies) may grant a leave of absence for pregnancy/parental, documented medical or compassionate grounds normally to a maximum of three terms or 12 months. While on leave, students are expected to be away from normal activities as graduate students (e.g. attending classes, conducting research). However, students and supervisors may negotiate ongoing communication during this period. The date for degree completion and funding (if applicable) of the degree program will be extended by the duration of the time taken on leave, i.e., one, two or three terms as appropriate.
Students are required to apply for a leave via the Graduate Student Web Services Portal.
Further details can be viewed on the SGPS web site at
http://grad.uwo.ca/current_students/graduate_regulations/section_4.htm