The university actively monitors your study progress to ensure that you avoid unnecessary delays in your studies and thus losing learning credits. If you fail to accumulate an adequate number of credits in an academic year, you will be included in the study progress monitoring system.
In such cases, your faculty will issue a warning, and appropriate measures will be taken to support your progress. It is important to note that study progress monitoring applies to all students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's, bridging, or preparatory programmes at the University of Antwerp.
How does study progress monitoring work?
For students starting a new Bachelor programme
When starting in a new bachelor's programme, you will be required to undertake a predetermined set of subjects known as the initial package, which is designed by the programme itself. Typically, these course units add up to approximately 60 credits. A smaller package is only possible if you have a flexible study status or already hold a bachelor's degree, and obtaining permission from your faculty is always necessary.
If, by the end of the second term in your first academic year, you have not successfully completed all the course units within your initial package, the faculty will issue a warning and initiate study progress monitoring. This monitoring will not be triggered by minor deficits such as obtaining a score of 8/20 or 9/20, with a maximum of 12 credits. While you can continue your studies, there is a condition: you must complete any remaining credits from the initial package during the subsequent academic year. Additionally, the faculty may impose a limit on the total number of credits you can take in the following academic year. However, you are always allowed to take 45 credits within your chosen programme of study. If you fail the next academic year as well, you may no longer enrol in the same or closely related programme of study, unless your deficiencies are limited to a maximum of 12 credits, with scores of 8/20 or 9/20.
For all other students
At the start of each academic year, it is necessary for you to create your study programme by selecting the course units you intend to take and determining the corresponding credit load. When designing your programme, it is essential to consider future periods and plan accordingly.
If, after the completion of the second term in an academic year, you have acquired less than 60% of the credits you have taken, the faculty will issue a warning and initiate study progress monitoring. While you are allowed to continue your studies, there is a requirement: you must achieve a minimum of 60% of the accumulated credits in the subsequent academic year. Additionally, the faculty may impose specific conditions and restrict the number of credits you can undertake. However, you are always allowed to take 45 credits within your chosen programme of study.
In the event that, for two consecutive years, you fail to achieve at least 60% of the credits taken, you will no longer be eligible to enrol in the same or a closely related programme.
Are there any exceptions? Can you appeal?
Can you appeal if your enrolment is refused?
You can appeal against this decision with the faculty body which imposes the study progress monitoring measures. This must be done within a given time period (i.e. five calendar days after being notified of the decision) using the correct procedure. Please read the provisions included under Article 23 of the Study and Examination Rules carefully. You can also check with your programme's ombudsman.
Are there any exceptions to these rules?
The faculty body which imposes study progress monitoring measures can deviate from these measures under exceptional circumstances or in case of a 'force majeure'. This decision needs to be properly justified.
Need more advice?
Contact your faculty's study programme counsellor for more advice. Some study programme counsellors organise sessions at the beginning of the academic year. If you have any questions about study progress monitoring, or if you want to discuss your options when changing programmes or dropping out, you can also talk to a student counsellor from the Study Advice and Student Counselling Service.