Reasons for suspending

For undergraduate and taught postgraduate students:

There are two categories of reasons that can be used to suspend your studies:

1. You cannot effectively engage with your studies at the moment
   Examples given by the University include serious and persistent physical or mental health problems, disability, death of a loved one, caring responsibilities, serious financial problems, mandatory military service, or if your employment pattern has changed.
2. You can demonstrate that suspending is genuinely in your best academic interests
   For example: taking a job or placement that will further your academic development or transferring to a different course.

If you have another reason for wanting to suspend your studies, please contact us, or speak to your school as soon as possible.

For postgraduate research students:

For postgraduate research students' other reasons for suspending may also be accepted. Please check the Code of Practice for Research Students for more information.

Research students can also take annual leave of up to 25 days per year or request an exceptional short-term absence from their studies. In some cases, leave entitlements or payment while on leave can vary - so it's worth checking the University's guidance to see what is available to you.

How to request a suspension of studies

Firstly speak to someone from your School, they will give you a form to complete, in which you will need to explain your reasons for the request.

• For undergraduate or taught postgraduates - this would be a senior tutor, personal tutor, or a student success advisor.
• For research postgraduates - you should speak to your supervisor or supervisory team.

Important things to consider before suspending

Academic or Wellbeing Support

If you're considering suspending your studies due to wellbeing or mental health challenges, we recommend discussing this with your personal tutor, senior tutor, or a Wellbeing Advisor. They can help you explore your academic options and determine whether suspending studies or another solution might be best for you.

Fees, Funding, and Finances

Suspending your studies is likely to affect your funding and finances so we would also suggest that you look at the University's information around financial considerations of suspending studies.

However, if finances are a reason for wanting to suspend, you should speak to the University's Money Advice Team about what support might be available. For instance, you might be able to apply for further funding from Student Finance if compelling personal reasons (CPR) have impacted your studies.

If you are no longer studying full time due to a successful suspension, you may be entitled to welfare benefits. What you may be entitled to depends on your situation. If you need detailed benefits advice, contact Bristol Citizens Advice Bureau.

Accommodation

Suspending your studies may affect your living situation if you are renting in University or private accommodation. Any housing that is not owned or managed directly by the University is classed as private.

If you are in university accommodation you will need to move out after suspending your studies.

It's recommended that if you are living in university halls when suspending your studies you should read their guidance on what to do. You could also look at the information about returner accommodation.

If you are in private accommodation when you suspend your studies, then you may be required to pay council tax. The University has information about council tax exemptions, which can include students who have suspending their studies.

If you need to leave your private tenancy early, Shelter has informationthat might be helpful.

Visas

Suspending can often impact visas - if you require a visa to study at the University, we strongly recommend you speak to the University's Student Visa Service as soon as possible to ensure you are complying with government regulations. They have information about the suspension process on their webpage and you will need to read that before submitting the suspension of studies form to your School.

Access to Services while Suspending your Studies

Access to University services

While you're suspended from study, the Student Wellbeing Service may need to adjust the level of support they can offer to you. We recommend reaching out to them directly to discuss your options.

As long as you remain living in the catchment area, you will be able to remain registered with the Student Health Service.

The Careers Service is available to use while you are suspended from study, and for up to 3 years after leaving the University of Bristol. They can give advice about finding work during your period of suspension.

Access to SU Student Groups and Sport Services

While suspended from studies, you remain a member of the Students' Union and can participate in student group activities, sports clubs, volunteering projects, and intramural leagues. However, you cannot hold committee positions. You're also welcome to join campaigns, though committee roles are not permitted during a suspension of studies.

For specific queries with student groups and study suspension, contact our Development Team.

Access to Bristol SU Academic Advice

We will continue to offer Academic Advice and support to students while you are on a suspension of studies.

Returning to your studies

When you suspend your studies, it's likely that you will be told what criteria you'll need to meet to be able to return.

Before you return your Faculty will contact you via email, so you can speak to them about what might be required. If you suspended your studies for medical reasons, you will likely need to provide evidence that you are now able to study.

The timing of your return may also depend on factors such as when the particular units are running, or if you need to start at the beginning of a new academic year. For more information on returning to studies please contact your Faculty Office.

If your nationality is subject to immigration control, you may need to book a student document (right to study) check.

If your suspension concerns a disability, it may be possible to get disability adjustments put in place ready for your return to study via a Disability Support Summary from Disability Services. To discuss this further, contact Disability Services for more detailed advice.

We also recommend looking at the assessment support webpage to see what services are available to you from Bristol SU.

Withdrawing from your studies

If you really don't want to continue with your studies, you can request a withdrawal form from your School Office.

Before doing that, we strongly recommend that you speak to your personal tutor about the situation to discuss what support or changes might be possible to put in place. It may also be possible to arrange reasonable adjustments through Disability Services wellbeing support through Wellbeing Services that might improve your experience on your course.

Similar considerations to your accommodation, visa and access support services will apply when compared to suspending your studies.

For more information or support, please contact us via our enquiry form.