Leave of absence

During your period of registration, you may experience a range of significant challenges that may compromise your ability to continue to fully engage with your programme of study. In certain situations, the most viable course of action may be to take an authorised temporary break from study, known as Leave of Absence.

• Code of Practice on Leave of Absence Procedures

If you are considering taking a break from your study, you will need to discuss this matter with your tutor/supervisor or wellbeing officer in your School.

It is important that you apply for your leave of absence at the time that your personal circumstances affect your ability to study.

• Download a copy of the Leave of Absence Form (found below)
• Complete Section A of the form
• Send your form to your School’s wellbeing officer.

• Undergraduate students - application for a leave of absence (DOCX-47kB)
• Postgraduate taught students - application for a leave of absence (DOCX-42kB)
• Postgraduate research students - please visit the Graduate School website for more information.

If you are a Dubai student please use the forms available here.

What do I need to include in my application?

You must give valid reasons and provide supporting evidence – please refer to Section 6 of the Code of Practice on Leave of Absence Procedures for your cohort year. Applications without appropriate supporting evidence will not be considered and will be returned. Evidence that is not in English must be translated into English by a certified translator.

What happens next?

Once your leave of absence has been approved by your School, it will be passed on to the Taught Student Administration Team in Registry, who will process your application:

Email: tsa@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Once your leave of absence has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email from Taught Student Administration. TSA will also inform Student Finance, Housing Services (if you are in University owned accommodation) and, if applicable, your local authority (LA) 

• Before completing the form, you must read the Code of Practice on Leave of Absence Procedures.
• It is your responsibility to notify Taught Student Administration when your leave of absence is due to expire to confirm your return and to submit any required medical evidence if the Leave of Absence was agreed on medical grounds. This should generally be submitted six weeks in advance of the anticipated date of return.
• If you wish to tell the University about a disability or long-term health condition (including dyslexia and mental health conditions) and you haven’t already done so, please contact disability@bham.ac.uk
• If you are an undergraduate student considering applying for a leave of absence as you wish to undertake a work placement year, you are advised to speak with your Welfare Tutor for advice on options around work placements - some academic Schools and departments offer degrees with integrated work placements. If this is not an option, you can apply for a leave of absence to undertake the placement. This would not form part of your studies and therefore you would not be eligible to apply for Student Loans Company funding.

Please complete the Return from a leave of absence form prior to your agreed return date (see ‘Returning from a leave of absence’)Please complete the Application to Return from a Leave of Absence Form prior to your agreed return date: https://www.intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/registry/studentrecords/services/leave-of-absence.aspx

Please be aware that taking a leave of absence may affect your tuition fee liability. The Tuition Fee Liability webpage provides information about the University’s Fee Liability Policy for students who withdraw or take a leave of absence. Please consult this page for information about the fee that you will be charged.

If you hold a Student route (previously Tier 4) visa, your right to remain in the UK will be affected by taking a break from your studies. As a Student Route Sponsor, the University is legally required to report a student’s change of registration status to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). You are strongly advised to seek immigration advice from the International Student Team (IST) prior to submitting your leave of absence request.

• Contact IST

If you are an international student who is outside the UK and will not be able to travel to the UK to start your studies on time, you should note that the University is required to tell UKVI that you have deferred your studies and this means that your visa will be cancelled and you will need a new CAS to apply for a visa for your September 2023 studies.

It is your responsibility to agree your return with your School and complete the return from leave of absence form. Once completed, you should send the form to your School for approval.

Once your form has been approved by your School, it will be passed onto the Taught Student Administration Team in Registry.

• Return from leave of absence form (DOCX-37kB)

If you have been on a leave of absence due to medical reasons, you will need to provide your School with a copy of a medical note confirming that you are fit to resume your programme of study.

Please send your form to the Taught Student Administration Team in Registry:

Email: tsa@contacts.bham.ac.uk

What happens next?

Once your return from leave of absence has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email from Taught Student Administration.

If you are unable to return from leave of absence by your agreed return date, it is your responsibility to notify your School and seek further advice.

Please note that if you do not extend your leave of absence and you do not notify your School that you are unable to return on time, you will be deemed to have withdrawn from your programme of study in accordance with the Codes of Practice on Leave of Absence Procedures.

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