Census dates

What is Census Date?

Census dates are the basis of many university deadlines. If you are enrolled in a course once the course census date passes, you will remain liable for the full tuition and associated fees for that course.

The following standard census dates apply at ANU:

First Semester Census Date is 31 March
Second Semester Census Date is 14 September

Dropping courses in a semester

When a course is dropped	Result on transcript
On or before the course Census Date	No grade on transcript
Last date to drop without failure (receive WD grade): - Semester 1 2021: 2 June 2021 - Semester 2 2021: 3 November 2021	WD (Withdrawal without failure)
Last date to drop course with failure (receive WN grade): - Semester 1 2021: N/A - Semester 2 2021: N/A	WN (Withdrawn with failure)

When a course is dropped

Result on transcript

On or before the course Census Date

No grade on transcript

Last date to drop without failure (receive WD grade):

- Semester 1 2021: 2 June 2021

- Semester 2 2021: 3 November 2021

WD (Withdrawal without failure)

Last date to drop course with failure (receive WN grade):

- Semester 1 2021: N/A

- Semester 2 2021: N/A

WN (Withdrawn with failure)

Dropping courses in Summer, Autumn, Winter or Spring Session

For course census dates in non-standard sessions see Programs and Courses.

When a course is dropped	Result on transcript
On or before the course Census Date	No grade on transcript
On or before the last day of the course	WD (Withdrawal without failure)
On or before the day before exams start	WN (Withdrawn with failure)

How to swap or drop a course

For information regarding how to swap or drop a course, please visit the Swapping or dropping a course web page.

Reach out for support

Please remember that you have access to a range of support services including wellbeing, mental health, and study support. Please visit the Reach out for support web page for further information.