During your studies, you may experience circumstances which can have a significant impact, such as illness, personal or family problems.
You may need to change your study arrangements on a temporary or permanent basis, for example, changing or leaving your course.
We’re here to support you. Read on for advice and guidance on what to do in these circumstances.
This information is for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students only. Postgraduate research students should consult the Change of Circumstances page in Guidance for PGR students.
Advice and Guidance
As a first step, we would encourage you to liaise with your school/tutor/degree programme director (DPD) about any change, so that all of your options can be discussed before a decision is made. You can also get support from the Student Wellbeing Service. The Careers Service can provide impartial and confidential advice if you are thinking about transferring or leaving your course.
Circumstances Covered and What to Do
Select an option below for advice on what to do:
Absence Request
If you have been ill or unable to study for more than three working days, you should complete an Absence Request Form and return the completed form to your academic unit or tutor / supervisor as soon as you can return to your studies.
The Absence Request Form should also be used for other absences, eg time away from the University for personal reasons.
You can find more information and the Absence Request Form at:
Personal Extenuating Circumstances (PEC)
If your studies or ability to complete assessments is being seriously affected by unforeseen and unavoidable personal extenuating circumstances, including illness, you should advise your academic unit by completing the Personal Extenuating Circumstances (PEC) Form so that appropriate adjustments can be considered.
Please see the PEC webpage for more information and the PEC forms.
Interruption of Studies
If you want to leave the University on a temporary basis and you intend to return to the same or alternative degree programme, please speak to your Tutor/Degree Programme Director about interrupting your studies before completing a DPD Request Form.
There are some implications of interrupting your studies for your student loan – for more information, please visit the Student Financial Support website.
Outside Study / Travel Requests
During your studies, you may need to travel outside the UK to complete fieldwork or to undertake a placement as part of their programme of study.
Please refer to the specific travel policies that have been created for undergraduate and postgraduate students:
To request a period of outside study, please speak to your Degree Programme Director first, before completing a DPD Request Form. If you are a Doctoral or MPhil student please refer to the PGR Outside Study Process
If you’re an international taught postgraduate student, please see our information for Outside Study Requests for PGT students with a Student Visa.
You should also see the University’s Travel Insurance Cover for Undergraduates or Postgraduates, as appropriate, prior to travelling.
Information for postgraduate research students can be found at Change of Circumstances in Guidance for PGR students.
Presumed Withdrawn
If you’re absent from your course and haven’t informed your school that you will be absent, you may be classed as ‘Presumed Withdrawn’ and your school may begin the Presumed Withdrawn Procedure.
