What happens if an international student failed a class

No one loves to fail. As students, we all want to pass our classes with flying colours and progress to the next chapter in our program.

However, this is not always the case, sometimes we find ourselves falling.

Life happens!

International students fail classes every year.

When you fail a class as a student, it has consequences, but for an international student, it can be particularly challenging.

Whether you are studying in Canada, the UK, the USA, Australia, or Germany (anywhere), it’ll affect your overall academic standing.

In extreme cases, your immigration status will be affected as well.

If you are wondering what happens if an international student fails a class, below is what to expect when you fail a class.

The consequences of failing a class as an international student slightly differ in some country.

Sometimes, the school where you are studying will have specific rules that apply to their students only.

What happens if an international student fails a class?

If an international student fails a class, the student will retake the courses or take part in other academic activities like tests to make up for the failed courses and fulfil their academic requirements.

Consequences of failing a class as an international student – things that will happen when you fail a class as an international student

When you fail a class:

1. It will delay your graduation

When you fail a class, your overall score will be affected which can stop you from completing your program within the expected time frame.

You might need to retake the courses you failed to meet your degree requirements.

In some cases, you’ll be asked to adjust your course load in subsequent semesters to accommodate the failed class – which will delay your graduation.

2. It will affect your academic standing

If you fail a class, it will greatly affect your academic performance.

It will lower your overall grade, a low grade is a huge threat to your enrollment in school.

When you continuously get low grades (depending on your program), you can be asked to withdraw from your program or get kicked out of the school.

Some universities and colleges have strict laws and policies (at all levels) regarding failed courses like mandatory academic advising or academic probation.

You don’t want to get to this level.

3. It will affect your student status

Many institutions require you to maintain a full-time course load.

Failing a class will drop you below this threshold, potentially putting your student status at risk.

4. You won’t meet the satisfactory academic progress (SAP)

Most institutions have SAP requirements.

Failing a class will negatively affect your academic standing.

And, when you fail repeatedly, it’ll jeopardize your ability to continue your studies under your current visa.

5. Failing has financial implications

In some institutions, when you fail a class, you retake the class which means paying for it again.

Depending on the fees, double payment is a significant financial burden, especially for international students who often pay higher fees.

6. Failing a class can make you ineligible for financial aid

If you are an international student on scholarships or financial aid and you continuously fail classes, it’ll make you ineligible for any financial aid.

Most financial aid requires you to maintain good academic performance. Without that (excellent academic record), you will lose the financial aid.

7. It can affect your immigration status

As an international student, your student visa condition requires you to continuously keep good grades to maintain your “student” status.

Failing a class (especially when it becomes continuous) will (negatively) affect your immigration status.

If your overall record is below the required score you need to maintain your student status.

Your student visa will be withdrawn and you’ll lose your status as a student.

When this happens, you’ll be asked to leave the country.

8. It will affect your chances of getting future opportunities

Another consequence of failing a class is that; it can hinder future opportunities.

For example, your desired graduate program may require a minimum GPA, and failing a course will prevent you from reaching this minimum score.

This will decrease your chances of being accepted into these programs.

Will failing a class affect your student visa?

In terms of your visa status, failing a class will not immediately affect your visa status if you are making satisfactory progress overall.

However, if you fail a class and it results in falling below the required grading point set by your institution, or visa condition, you can be placed on probation, get a warning from your school, asked to withdraw from your current program and switch program, or have your visa revoked.

As an international student, you are required to maintain satisfactory progress in your academics.

When you continuously fail, the immigration authorities have no choice but to have your visa revoked/cancelled.

When you are issued a student visa, you’re expected to conclude your academics within the validity of your visa.

However, when you fail classes, you need to extend your visa to complete your program.

Many countries allow international students to extend their visas (for valid reasons) – like if you want to make up for your failed courses.

Falling beyond the allowed mark will get your visa cancelled and you won’t be allowed to extend your stay in the country.

What to consider if you fail a class as an international student

The question you should ask when you fail a class as an international student is “What is applicable in the school where you are studying”.

Does your school have any specific rules about failing a class?

The following factors will determine your fate:

Your institution’s policy about failing a class

The rules are not the same everywhere.

Each institution has its policies about failing a class – including the maximum number of courses you can fail per semester or year.

Another factor that will determine what happens if an international student fails a class is the student’s program requirements.

Your program requirements

If you fail a course you must pass before you progress in your program, it will delay you from completing your program.

You have to either repeat the course or make up for it through other means like taking a test or doing an assignment.

Where you are studying

Aside from your university policy, the country where you are studying can also determine what happens if you fail a class.

Some countries have established rules that govern the activities of international students in the country including rules for failing a class.

In Canada for example, the laws are less strict.

What happens if an international student fails a class in Canada?

If an international student fails a class in Canada, they may need to retake the course, which can lead to additional tuition fees and potentially extend their study duration.

Failing a class could impact their academic standing and, if repeated, might jeopardize their compliance with study permit conditions, particularly if it affects full-time enrollment.

The rules in Canada are similar to the UK.

What happens if an international student fails a class in the UK?

When you fail a class in the UK as an international student, you can resit the courses you failed to make up your grades and meet the minimum requirements to continue your program.

Before re-sitting the courses you failed, ensure that the International student office at your university is aware of your challenges.

They will explain your options to you and advise you on what’s best for your academics.

If you need to adjust your stay in the UK to accommodate your failed courses, the home office is open to extend your visa.

FAQs

Can I extend my student visa in the UK if I fail?

You can extend your student visa in the UK if you fail, the UK authorities allow students to extend their student visa if they fail a course/class and need more time to retake or make up for it.

To extend your student visa, you have to get your school’s enrollment confirmation specifying how long your extension will be.

Will I get PSW if I fail my dissertation?

If you fail your dissertation in the UK, it will reduce your chances of getting a Post-Study Work (PSW) visa, because completing your studies including your dissertation is a requirement for PSW.

If you are interested in a post-study work visa, you must ensure that you pass all your courses including your dissertation.

Can I extend my student visa to the UK if I fail my dissertation?

If you fail your dissertation, you can extend your student visa as long as you meet other requirements for student visa extension like if you maintain full-time enrollment and make continuous academic progress.

What happens if an international student fails a class in Australia?

If an international student fails a class in Australia and does not meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements, the student’s institution will report the student to the Department of Home Affairs who can cancel the student’s Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for failing to meet the satisfactory progress requirements.

However, if failing the class does not stop the student from meeting the satisfactory academic progress requirements, the student will retake the failed courses and won’t face further action.

8 things that will happen if an international student fails a class