Contents
- Initial guidance
- Reasons for withdrawal
- Academic concerns
- Health challenges
- Finance
- Caring / parental challenges
- How do I withdraw?
- What happens after withdrawal?
- Financial support
- Fees
- Library / IT access
- Accommodation
- Council tax
Initial guidance if you are considering withdrawal
If you are currently considering a withdrawal from study, the University has an overview of things to consider here.
It is crucial at this initial stage that you share your thoughts with your Adviser of Studies, so asking them for a meeting would be a useful first step. You can also meet with someone in the Advice Centre to talk this through if that would be helpful for you.
Please also bear in mind that it can take several weeks from you submitting a withdrawal request until it is granted, and you actually receive your withdrawal date.
Reasons for withdrawal?
There are a wide range of circumstances that may have brought you to the point where you are considering withdrawing from your course of study. It is crucial that, prior to withdrawing from your course, you are aware of other possible options and routes that may be open to you. We have broken these down into some key themes underneath.
Academic concerns
You may have reached a point in the academic year, where you have lost confidence or interest in your studies. Talking this through with your Adviser of Studies would be a useful initial step to explore whether a plan can be put in place to get you back on track or whether there are other routes you can take within your programme of study.
The University’s Student Learning Development service can also offer practical academic advice and support with study skills. You can find more information on the support they offer, and book an appointment to speak to a member of their team via their website.
If you think you may be studying on the wrong course entirely, you might want to refer to the University Transfer policy which provides some guidance on transfer options.
You may also wish to speak with the Careers team at the University to seek guidance exploring other potential courses or routes.
Health Challenges
We often receive contact from students who are undertaking their studies whilst also navigating unforeseen or long-term health challenges. If you believe that health is an underlying reason for you now considering a withdrawal, a review to see whether you are getting all the help you are entitled to would be a good step to take. A simple checklist for this might be:
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Consider registering with Disability Services. This page covers the additional support they can provide so you can assess how this may directly benefit your studies.
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Make contact with a Disability Co-Ordinator within your school to explore any specific help they can offer.
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Consider making use of the University Counselling Team, the University Health Assured service and the counselling team Masterclass Programme.
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Look over the study resources available via the Student Learning & Development team.
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Speak with your Doctor to explore any support they may be able to give you.
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Keep in mind the University’s Good Cause process for help with extensions or deferring areas of work due to health.
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The University has a Fitness to Study process that may be explored as an alternative to a full withdrawal if for example you just need a break from your studies due to a health issue.
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Keep in mind the University Absence Policy which outlines how and when you should notify the University of any absences you may need to take from University.
Finance
If concerns about your finances are the reason you are considering a withdrawal, keep in mind the University's Financial Aid pages which may be able to help you. You can read more about other financial support on our advice page here, which includes information on employment, external funding and fee support options. The University also has a cost-of-living page with sources of additional information and guidance here.
Caring / Parental challenges
The University has a Student Carers’ Policy and a Student Parents’ Policy that you may wish to refer to, helping you explore additional flexibility of support within your studies, should parental or caring challenges be contributing towards thoughts of a withdrawal.
How do I withdraw?
There is a form that students will need to fill in to complete a withdrawal from their studies. You can see more information and an overview of what will then happen in the process at this University page.
What happens after withdrawal?
Financial support
When you officially withdraw you will be notified by the University of the date this will take effect. From this date, you will no longer be considered 'a student'. If you have access to the UK benefit system, this may then allow you to make an application for Universal Credit as a means for immediate financial support, if you need this. You can read more about this in our advice page here.
Fees
If you have paid tuition fees to the University and withdraw from study, you should look over the University refund policy for undergraduate students here , or for postgraduate students here. This would be the mechanism for you to make a request for a return of fees, where a withdrawal of study was brought about by significant health or personal challenges.
If you are funded by statutory funding body (e.g. SAAS), you should also contact them to understand what this may mean for future study. SAAS, for example, have a cut-off date of 1st December each year, whereby if you withdraw prior to this date, SAAS will not pay fees to the University for that year. This will mean that you will not have used up any fees for the year in which you withdraw.
Library / IT access
Once you withdraw, you will not be able to use the library and IT access usually ceases within 30 days, so make sure you save any important documents or mails outside of the university IT system. You can still apply for a visitor card for the University library if you wish to continue to access this facility.
Accommodation
If you currently live in University or student accommodation, you will normally be expected to move out when you cease to be a student.
Council Tax
If you live in private accommodation, you will become liable for Council Tax from the day after your withdrawal date (bear this in mind if you continue to live in a household with others who are still full-time students). The immediate mechanism to seek help for Council Tax charges would be to apply for Council Tax reduction.