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When you start a course with us, we hope that you are able to follow it through to completion in the normal way. However, we recognise that for some students, circumstances may arise where you may need to take an unplanned break in your studies for unexpected reasons, which may be out of your control.

What do I need to do to request a break in my studies?

We encourage you to chat to the Student Wellbeing Officer about your options and the support we can offer you. For course-specific advice and guidance, you should speak to your Course Manager or Course Tutor.

Please read the following information thoroughly before you completing a request, to ensure you are fully aware of the implications of taking a break in studies.

If you are thinking of taking time out of your studies it is important to seek our advice and support as early as possible. We have dedicated staff able to give you advice and guidance on your options based on your own particular circumstances. It may be that we are able to make reasonable adjustments to allow you to remain on your course of study on either a full-time or a part-time basis.

Our standard policy is to allow students, who may experience such unexpected circumstances, to postpone their studies for a limited period of time. The main reason that students are permitted to take a break in studies is due to health reasons, which prevent the ability to study. We also will consider ‘significant changes in life circumstances’, which may include events such as a family bereavement or a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ related to career aspirations and programme of study. There is no automatic right to a break in study under any circumstance; each request will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Course Manager and Planning Officer, in discussion with the Student Wellbeing team.

The only other time where a student is permitted to take a break in study is where they are placement exempt and wish to remain with their original cohort. Such a request is at the Course Manager’s discretion.

How long can I take a break for?

It is important to note that breaks in study are normally granted for up to a maximum of one academic year. Regardless of when the period starts during one academic year, you are expected to be in a position to restart your studies at the start of the next academic year. If it is anticipated that a break may be longer than this, it may not be agreed and a student may be advised to withdraw from their studies and reapply when they are in a position to recommence their course. As courses can change from year to year, the continued availability of the study programme will also be taken into consideration when a request is made.

Student Finance implications

Breaks in study may also have financial implications. If you are in receipt of student loans, you are strongly advised to contact your Student Finance authority to get a clear statement based on your current position. You may be required to fund one of the additional future years yourself, so you should make enquiries so you can prepare for this if it is the case.

Fitness to return to study

It is also important to note that if you have had to take a break from studying for certain health reasons, there is no automatic right to return to your course without first undertaking a ‘Fitness to Study’ assessment, in line with the arrangements set out in the University’s Student Health and Wellbeing Policy.

What do I have to do next?

Having decided to take a break in study, you need to complete a request form, with the assistance of your Course Manager or Course Tutor. The form may be accompanied by evidence from an independent accredited professional (for example a GP, consultant, or therapist) supporting your reason(s) for the request. Where evidence is not provided, we may ask you to provide it to help us determine any specific support needs during your break in studies or on your return. You will be notified if any information or evidence additional to your formal request form (and any accompanying documentation), is required once the form is reviewed.

Fees and Charges

When the break in studies is effective

The amount that you will be charged for the academic year depends on the date you finalise your request for a break in study and it is recorded as received by the University. If you have paid tuition fees and accommodation in advance, you may be eligible for a refund. Therefore, it is essential that you contact the Finance Office for clear information about your own financial liabilities.

You will be charged both tuition fees and on-site accommodation fees (if applicable) in line with the liability points as set out in the Fees and Charges booklet, which can be found on the . It is important that you pay attention to the dates, particularly if you are suspending study near the end of a term. You will be charged in full for the tuition which has taken place while you have been registered and up to the next liability point. If you live in off campus accommodation, you must speak to your landlord directly about your charges as your rental agreement is unlikely to contain liability dates.

On returning to study – same course and year

When you return to study, you will return at the start of a new academic year. You will need to undertake the entire year again, except for any modules which you completed in full before your postponement. All assessment components of partially completed modules are disregarded. You should expect and be prepared to pay full tuition fees for the year that you return. Even if you postponed your studies mid-way through the previous year, and paid fees for part of that year, you will still be required to pay for fees in the year that you will be repeating, either partially or in full. The University has the discretion to apply a 50% fee waiver to any study period for which the fee has already been paid in the pre-postponement period, if the reason for needing a break in studies is beyond the student’s control. You will still be required to pay the full rate for the part of the year you haven’t previously studied.

If you are returning to on-site accommodation, you will be required to pay the full charges for the time that you are resident.

If you are returning to study on a different course you will be required to pay the full tuition fee for the new course of study, regardless of any pre-agreed waiver, which would only be applied to the original course of study, as you are accessing a different course of study.
Please also note that tuition fees may increase in line with an approved inflationary rate and you will be liable for the fees that apply in the year you return to study, based on your year of entry.

When you return to study

Postponed undergraduate students are only able to return at the start of the academic year. Postgraduate students can return when the next module is available. There is no automatic right to return to your studies. The Planning Officer contacts all affected students before their intended return to ask them to confirm that they are indeed returning. You must reply to communications to confirm your return (or otherwise) so arrangements can be made.

If you have postponed due to health grounds you will be required to complete a ‘Fitness to Study’ assessment. Details of this are in the University’s Student Health and Wellbeing Policy. Once the completed form is received, the procedure set out in the policy will be followed, in order to assess your case. Therefore it is important for you to complete the form as fully as possible and return by the stated deadline, as there is no automatic right to return without completing this process.

Steps to follow

1. Discuss your circumstances with the Student Wellbeing Officer and your Course Tutor. They may signpost you to other staff for specific advice and support depending on your circumstances.
2. Ensure you have read and understood this guidance, and the Break in Studies Policy.
3. If it is agreed that a Break in Studies is the best option for you, your Course Manager or Course Tutor will help you complete the request form and give their support for its approval.
4. Submit the completed form, (and provide any supporting evidence). The date of postponement will be taken as the date the form is recorded as received by the University and it is up to this date that financial liability will be judged.
5. Your form will be approved by the Planning Officer / Student Wellbeing (sometimes in collaboration with other staff), and processed. Relevant internal departments will also be notified (including the Finance Office, Student Services and Library). If applicable, the relevant Student Finance Authority / the Student Loans Company will also be notified.
   Where an international student studying on a student visa postpones from their course and the University, UK Visas and Immigration will be notified and their leave will be curtailed.
6. The Finance Office will calculate any tuition, accommodation or other charges that may be outstanding or will need to be refunded, and confirm fees to be charged on return to study.
7. If you receive any tuition or maintenance loans or funding, you should inform Student Finance that you have postponed. We will also do this on your behalf, but it is important that you contact them to gain an understanding of what you may be required to pay back immediately and to ensure you are aware of what you are entitled to when you resume study.
8. If you are living in Halls, notify Student Services as soon as possible. You will be expected to vacate your room within 24 hours and return your room key to Student Services. If you cannot do this, please discuss alternative vacating arrangements.
9. Final things to do before you leave campus:
   1. Return library books and equipment.
   2. Check that you do not have any post to collect.
   3. Consider arranging re-direction to an alternative address for mailings delivered to Harper Adams during the period of postponement
   4. Contact the Students Union if you have been involved with the gym or sports teams.
   5. Make sure you are aware of the date of the start of the next academic year, in preparation for your return to study.
   
   Access to your student IT account remains open while on a break; helping you to maintain contact with students and staff who you may be receiving support from.