Leave of Absence

You can apply to extend your studies by up to four semesters by taking a Leave of Absence. Your maximum registration period will be extended for the same amount of time.

WHEN SHOULD I TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE?

You should consider taking a leave of absence if you experience prolonged personal difficulties that are likely to seriously jeopardise your ability to undertake assessment over the long term.

IF YOU STARTED YOUR COURSE IN SEPTEMBER AND YOU TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE AFTER 1ST DECEMBER IN AN ACADEMIC YEAR, YOU WILL BE CHARGED TUTION FEES FOR THE WHOLE ACADEMIC YEAR (E.G. £3,070 FOR FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WHO STARTED AFTER SEPTEMBER 2006).

PLEASE CONTACT THE ADVICE AND SUPPORT CENTRE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: advice@wolvesunion.org

ARE THERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS?

For short-term difficulties ask you can ask you module leader for an extension of up to seven days for an assignment(s).

For difficulties that affect a more substantial part of your programme of study, you can ask an Award Board to take into account your extenuating circumstances.

For difficulties that are likely to affect your study over a long period of time you should consider a leave of absence.

BUT WON'T MY FRIENDS GRADUATE BEFORE ME?

Taking a leave of absence will normally affect the date of your graduation; your cohort will probably have graduated whilst you're still studying.

However, it is often better to take a leave of absence and resume your study when you feel ready rather than to let things build up and risk failure as a consequence of any prolonged personal difficulties.

Battling on regardless could mean that you come out with a far lower grade than if you took time to sort out any personal difficulties and resumed study at a later date.

WHAT ABOUT MY FUNDING ON A LEAVE OF ABSENCE?

Remember, whilst you are on a leave of absence you are not normally classed as being a student; therefore, your student funding (e.g. loan) is usually suspended until you return.

Depending on your reasons for suspending your study, your Local Authority (LA) may exceptionally use its discretion to fund you whilst you are on a leave of absence.

Make sure you discuss your financial situation with your LA or funding body before you take a leave of absence. If your LA or funding body can't support you, you might be entitled to certain state benefits - for example, income support, incapacity benefit and housing benefit. It can be difficult to obtain state benefits because the state still classes students on a leave of absence as been entitled to student funding, even though usually they're not. Essentially, unless you are ill or have other valid extenuating circumstances, you are expected to be self-sufficient during a leave of absence - for example, by working full-time. Check at your local benefits office before you take a leave of absence.

I'M AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT. WHAT ABOUT MY VISA?

The terms of your student visa state that you must be attending as a full-time student for you to be in the UK legally. Therefore if you take a leave of absence, you will no longer be classed as a student and you will be breaking the terms of your student visa if you remain in the UK. You are advised to return to your home country when taking a leave of absence. The British Home Office could refuse to extend your student visa in the future if it suspects you have been in the UK and have not been attending university. If this were to happen, you may not be able to complete your course and you may be required to leave university with a lower award (e.g. a postgraduate diploma instead of a masters degree or an ordinary degree instead of an honours degree).

For further information see Leave of Absence for International Students , or if you believe you have exceptional circumstances, contact the Students' Union's International Adviser, Caroline Burke, who is based in the Advice and Support Centre (ASC). ASC is a completely confidential service. Caroline will not contact the Home Office without your permission.

WHERE DO I START?

If you are considering a leave of absence, first of all you should discuss your situation with your course leader or your personal tutor, who can be contacted through your School office.

If you and your tutor decide that a leave of absence is in your best interests, you will need to fill in a Leave of Absence (Leaving) form, which is available on e:vision or from your Student Office.

On this form you should agree with your tutor a date of return and indicate the reason for suspending your studies (this will remain confidential). Get your tutor to sign this form. You then need to hand it in to your Student Office, who will inform your Local Authority (LA).

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I WANT OT RESUME MY STUDIES?

You will agree a return date with your tutor on the Leave of Absence (Leaving) form. You can take a leave of absence for up to four semesters (two academic years).

You will be expected to show that you are ready to return to study and you must contact your personal tutor to discuss your return. You should also discuss your return with your Local Authority so that it can restart any relevant funding.

You must ensure that you print off and fill in a Leave of Absence (Returning) form from e:vision to restart your student funding. Hand this in to your Student Office.