1. Standard Completion Period
The standard completion period is the maximum period a student may remain enrolled at the University to complete her graduation requirements. It is calculated as the program duration plus half of that duration.
2. How the Standard Completion Period Is Calculated
The following table shows the standard completion period for university programs, calculated as the program duration plus half of that duration:
| Program | Program Duration | Standard Completion Period |
| Bachelor's Degree | 8 semesters | 12 semesters |
| Pharmacy, Health, and Rehabilitation Sciences (Doctor of Physical Therapy) | 12 semesters | 18 semesters |
| Nursing | 10 semesters | 15 semesters |
| Diploma | 4 semesters | 6 semesters |
| Colleges with an Annual System | 6 years | 9 years |
The following table shows the semesters that count toward the standard completion period and those that do not count toward it:
| Count Toward the Standard Completion Period | Do Not Count Toward the Standard Completion Period |
- Semesters of withdrawal
- Internal transfer
- Semesters of study as a visiting student at another university
- Disciplinary suspension
- For students transferring from another university under the semester system, every 15 credit hours count as one semester.
- For students transferring from another university under the annual system, every 30 credit hours count as one academic year.
| - Semesters of leave of absence
- Semesters of discontinuation
- Summer semesters
|
3. What Happens When the Standard Completion Period Expires?
If a student does not complete her graduation requirements within the standard completion period, she will be academically dismissed for exceeding the standard completion period. The following statement will appear on her academic transcript: “Academically dismissed for exceeding the standard completion period."
The student's academic status may be reviewed, and she may be granted an exceptional opportunity to complete her graduation requirements, subject to specific regulations.
4. Exceptional Opportunity
An exceptional opportunity is an additional semester granted to a student who has been academically dismissed for exceeding the standard completion period, allowing her to complete her remaining graduation requirements. The summer semester is not included when calculating the exceptional opportunity.
Students approaching the end of the standard completion period, specifically during their final semester within that period, must submit an Exceptional Opportunity Request to complete their graduation requirements. Requests must be submitted through the Self-Service system within the deadlines specified in the academic calendar and followed up on until a decision is issued.
Exceptional Opportunity Requirements
- Requests must be submitted within the deadlines announced in the academic calendar.
- The student must not have been academically dismissed due to a low GPA, be subject to disciplinary dismissal, or have been discontinued from study.
- Submitting a request does not guarantee approval. The request will be referred to the College Council for consideration.
- The student may not withdraw, take a leave of absence, or discontinue her studies during the semester for which the exceptional opportunity is granted.
View the Exceptional Opportunity Procedure
Contact
Email: dar-it@pnu.edu.sa
Phone: 0118243565