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Break from studies

Sometimes, students need support to help navigate unforeseen circumstances or particular challenges. DMU has a range of options that can help support students who are experiencing difficulties, for whom a deferral or extension may not be appropriate. 

It's important to remember that some options may impact on academic progression and therefore eligibility to student funding, accommodation and, where relevant, immigration status. We recommend that you contact our support services to discuss your individual circumstances before making a decision. You can also seek independent advice from the De Montfort Students Union.

In the first instance, if your circumstances are unlikely to be long term, an extension or a deferral may be the best option to help you manage your studies.

 

For longer term, options that are available to you are listed below.

Leave of absence

A leave of absence, also called an interruption of study, is when a student leaves their studies part-way through the year and resumes at the beginning of the next academic year. Whilst on a leave of absence, students don't attend teaching sessions or submit assessments, but do still have access to DMU's online learning environments. 

Taking a leave of absence is likely to affect your student finance and status with your local authority  - for example, you may be liable to pay council tax for the duration of your leave of absence. 

 

  1. How long can I take a leave of absence for?

    A leave of absence, or an interruption of study, of no more than one year may be granted in the first instance, which will be included within a student’s maximum period of registration (see section 6 of the Academic Regulations).

    The timing and conditions of a student’s return from a leave of absence will be provisionally agreed when the leave of absence is approved and recorded on an interruption agreement form available from the faculty Student Advice Centre.

  2. How does a leave of absence affect my funding?

    You will not normally be entitled to receive any payments from Student Finance England during your leave of absence, as your funding entitlement will be reassessed based on your last date of attendance (see above).

    However, if you take a leave of absence due to illness, you may still be able to get full student funding for up to 60 days after your last date of attendance. In some cases, this may be extended such as if it may cause financial hardship or you have caring responsibilities.

    When you take a leave of absence from your studies, you maintain your student status, so you may be able to apply for the DMU Support Fund.

    Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible to receive social security benefits. Support is usually only available if you have taken time out because you are ill or pregnant, or because you have to care for someone.

  3. What happens to my marks?

    The timing and conditions of a student’s return from a leave of absence will be provisionally agreed when the leave of absence is confirmed. Depending on the start date of the leave of absence, accrued marks may be held or archived. Please discuss this with your programme leader.

  4. How do I apply?

    You must apply to the Associate Dean (Academic) or nominee for your studies to be interrupted. You will be expected to provide an explanation of your circumstances along with professional third-party evidence to support your request. A leave of absence request will not be considered without third party evidence to support it. Requests must be received by the Associate Dean (Academic) before the final submission deadline for work on your programme.

    More information can be found through your faculty Student Advice Centre.

    In assessing the significance of extenuating circumstances, the panel will consider:

    • The severity of the problem
    • The length of time it has lasted
    • The supporting evidence (remember to include it)

    Deadlines

    Students will normally be allowed to apply for a leave of absence up to the end of the academic session teaching period. Students will not be allowed to apply after results have been marked and released.

  5. What happens next?

    If your leave of absence request is accepted, your studies will be interrupted from your last date of attendance. All marks for the current level of study will be archived and you will be registered to repeat it from the beginning of the next academic year.

    If your leave of absence request is rejected you will be issued with an outcome letter outlining the reasons your request has been refused. You will also receive a completions of procedures letter explaining that the process has been completed.

    Following this, your case may be eligible for review by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) and details of how this can be done will be in the completions of procedures letter.

 

 

 

Withdrawing from university

You can withdraw from your studies at any time. If you are considering withdrawal, we strongly recommend that you seek advice from your personal tutor or programme leader. You should also seek advice about the financial implications of withdrawal from the DMU Money Advice and Income teams before submitting a leave of absence request.

In exceptional circumstances, the university may refuse a student’s application to withdraw from their studies pending the outcome of a disciplinary, fitness to practice or academic offence investigation.

  1. How do I apply to withdraw?

    If you are a registered and attending student, please contact your faculty Student Advice Centre for the form to complete.

    If you are suspended pending a university investigation under the disciplinary code, please inform the Academic Support Office of your request to withdraw; the team will progress your request.