Changes to your enrolment status; interruption or withdrawal (GR1b) 2020/21

• What is an interruption of studies?

• If you decide to take a break from your course, this is known as an "interruption of studies". There are two types of interruption:

  • Break (if you request the interruption after you have enrolled for that academic year)
  • Dormant (if you request the interruption before you have enrolled for that academic year).

  Either type of interruption requires approval from your Course Leader.

  Please note that interruptions can only be requested before the end of formal teaching of a course. If you are unable to submit end of term assessment or sit examinations then you would normally need to apply for mitigating circumstances, see AR5 Mitigating Circumstances Regulations.

  It is not possible to interrupt your studies for the reassessment period.

• What are the reasons for interrupting studies?

• You should consider interrupting your studies if your circumstances are preventing you from fully engaging with your studies, for example you have not been able to attend classes because of illness or family circumstances. If it is simply the case that you are not able to undertake a particular assessment then you should consider applying for an extension or mitigating circumstances.

• What is the difference between interruption of studies and withdrawal from studies?

• An interruption of studies is when you take a temporary break from your course with the intention of returning at a later, specified, date. A withdrawal from studies is when you withdraw from your course with no intention of returning. For more information on withdrawing from your studies please see the FAQs on withdrawal from studies.

• I want to interrupt my studies. Who should I speak to?

• The first person you should speak to is your course leader, who will be responsible for approving your interruption. Your Course Leader will initially discuss with you the reasons why you wish to interrupt your studies, your last date of engagement, how long you want to interrupt for and when and how you wish to return to your studies. You may also find it helpful to discuss your options with your personal tutor and/or your Faculty Achievement Officer.
  
  You will also need to discuss the financial implications of interruption with the University's Money Advisers. If you are in the UK on a Student Route visa (formerly Tier 4 visa) then you MUST seek advice from the immigration advisers in Student Life as interrupting your studies affects your visa conditions. Please see below for specific questions on financial and visa matters. If you are a student on a professional course in the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, interrupting your studies may have implications for your bursary and you are advised to speak to your Student Office about this. 

• How long can I interrupt my studies for?

• Subject to agreement from your Course Leader, you may either be able to:

  1) Interrupt your studies for the whole academic year, or
  2) Interrupt your studies for part of the academic year.

  You can request to:

  • restart at precisely the point that you have stopped, carrying forward any assessments that you have already completed OR
  • restart at the beginning of the academic year and discount all assessments previously undertaken, with no fee charged.

  Please note that, normally, you can only choose to restart at the beginning of the academic year if this has been requested and approved within the first teaching block for the year or, your course if that starts at a different point in the academic year.

  Interruptions can only be agreed for one year at a time up to a maximum of two years.

• How do I make my application for Interruption of Studies?

• You will need to apply to interrupt study using the online system accessed through OSIS.  Before completing the process on OSIS you should have discussed your intentions with your Course Leader and/or Personal Tutor. You should continue to attend until your application has been approved by your Course Leader.

• Will I have to pay additional fees when I return to my studies?

• You will not be charged additional fees as a result of interrupting your studies. However, please note that tuition fees will be charged at the rate that is current to the academic year you return in.

  When you return to your studies in the following academic year, you will pay any remaining fees due for that level of study. Any payments already made will be offset against the outstanding balance.

  If you are considering taking an Interruption of Studies, you should always discuss this first with the Income and Receivables team in the Finance Directorate. Tel: 020 8417 3333, or in person at the Student Life Centre.

• Do I need to have approved Mitigating Circumstances if I wish to interrupt my studies?

• No, you do not need to apply for Mitigating Circumstances to interrupt your studies. If during an academic year, circumstances arose that prevented you from attending University (mitigating circumstances) and you wish to interrupt, you would normally be expected to return at the same point in the following academic year. If you choose to go back to the beginning of the academic year and start again then all attempts are wiped from your record and you are deemed to be starting from scratch.

  The interrupted year will count towards your maximum period of registration for the course. The maximum period of registration for your course can be found in the Programme Specification for your course.

  The standard maximum registration periods for each qualification is as follows:

  Award	Mode of study	Minimum Length	Maximum Length
  Foundation degree	Full time Part time	2 years 4 years	4 years 8 years
  Honours degree	Full time Sandwich Part time	3 years 4 years 6 years	6 years 8 years 12 years
  Integrated masters degree	Full time Part time	4 years 8 years	8 years 12 years

  If you are studying for an award not listed above, please check with your Course Leader or Faculty Student Office whether an interruption will take you over the time limit for your course.

• How many Interruptions of Study can I request?

• You can request a maximum of two consecutive Interruptions of Study. However, you should note that these will count towards the maximum period of registration for your course. The maximum period of registration for your course can be found in the Programme Specification for your course.

• What will happen about my Student Loan if I interrupt my studies?

• There will be implications for maintenance loans and tuition fee loans if you interrupt your studies. Please contact the Student Life Centre for advice.

• Do I need to do anything before I return to my studies?

• As part of the Interruption process, you will have agreed your return date with your Course Leader. At least 1 month prior to your agreed return date, you should contact your Faculty Student Office so that they can ensure your student record has been correctly set up. If you do not re-enrol within 2 weeks of the agreed return date and you have not requested a further interruption of study, you will be withdrawn by the University.

• I have interrupted my studies and I wish to change my return date. Can I do this?

• Yes. If you wish to interrupt for a second consecutive year, you can apply for this. If you intend to return but want to make a change to your return date, please speak to your Faculty Student Office and your Course Leader.
  
  Please note that you are not permitted to submit work for assessments during an interruption of studies.

• Will my marks be capped if I interrupt my studies?

• No, there will be no academic penalty as a result of interrupting your studies.

• I am an overseas student. How will interrupting my studies affect my visa?

• If you are an overseas student who has a Student Route visa (formerly Tier 4 visa) then, before applying for an Interruption of Studies you must speak to the international student advisers (immigration), based in the Student Life Centre. If you interrupt then the University is legally required to report this to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). An interruption of studies means that you will normally have to leave the UK and apply for a new visa before you can return to your studies.

• How will interrupting my studies affect my University accommodation arrangements?

• If you are in University Halls of Residence, please refer to your Halls of Residence Licence to Occupy Terms and Conditions.

  If you are in any other accommodation please speak to a Student Life Adviser for advice.

• I have a question not answered here. Where can I go for advice?

• Please contact your Faculty Student Office in the first instance.

Students withdraw from the University for a variety of reasons, including financial, academic and personal. The University is able to provide a range of help and support that students may wish to consider before committing to withdrawing from the University. This page provides advice and guidance for students who are thinking of leaving the University. You are advised to read all the questions and answers.

• I am considering withdrawing from my studies. Who should I speak to?

• If you have concerns about your course, or if you think you are on the wrong course, please speak to your Personal Tutor or Course Leader in the first instance. Your Faculty Student Achievement Officer may also be able to offer advice on further study or employment. If you are considering withdrawing for financial reasons, please visit the Student Life Centre who will be able to advise on funding your studies, money management, dealing with debt, bursaries, accommodation etc.

  If you are struggling with your assessments and would like further support with study skills, academic writing, referencing etc, your Faculty Academic Success Centre may be able to help.

  The University's Health and Wellbeing Service also offers support for a range of emotional issues for students whilst studying at Kingston.

  You can also speak to the Union of Kingston Students for independent and confidential advice on issues such as complaints or signposting to the right services for you.

• How do I make my application to withdraw from my studies?

• You will need to withdraw using the online system accessed through OSIS. Withdrawal cannot take effect until the process has been completed in OSIS.  

• If I withdraw from my studies, can I come back later?

• If you intend to return to your studies in the foreseeable future you should consider taking an Interruption of Studies, rather than withdrawing. Please see the FAQs on Interruption of Studies. Following withdrawal from studies, it may be possible for you to return at a later date; you should contact the Faculty Student Office in the first instance to discuss your options.

• How will my withdrawal affect my tuition fees?

• Once you have completed the Withdrawal process on OSIS, your finance record will be recalculated to determine the fee due for the period you attended for. For further information contact the Accounts Receivable Team in the Finance Directorate. Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 3333, or in person at the Student Life Centre. 

• How will my withdrawal affect my Tuition Fee Loan and/or Maintenance Loan?

• There will be implications for maintenance loans and Tuition Fee Loans if you withdraw from your studies. You should be aware that, under the government's student funding rules, you will be deemed to have studied for a year and this may affect any future student finance if you wanted to go back to study. For further information on how this may affect you now, and in future should you wish to return to higher education, please contact a Student Life Adviser for advice.

• Will I receive the credit for the modules I have completed?

• You may be entitled to a statement of credit for any passed modules or, if you have sufficient credit, for an intermediate award. Please contact your Faculty Student Office for further information. The credit requirements for intermediate awards are available in Section 6 of the Undergraduate Regulations.

• I am an overseas student. How will withdrawing from my studies affect my visa?

• If you are an overseas student who has a Student Route visa (formerly Tier 4 visa) then, before withdrawing, you must speak to the International Office to discuss visa implications. You should initially contact the International Student Advisers (Immigration), based in the Student Life Centre. The Compliance team will then report your withdrawal to UKVI once your Faculty has made the necessary amendments to your student record. This will mean that you will need to leave the UK as the Home Office will cancel your visa.

• How will withdrawing from my studies affect my University accommodation arrangements?

• If you are in University Halls of Residence, please refer to your Halls of Residence Licence to Occupy Terms and Conditions.
  
  If you are in any other accommodation please speak to a Student Life Adviser for advice.

• I have a question not answered here. Where can I go for advice?

• Please contact your Faculty Student Office in the first instance.