Return from Leave of Absence

Students who applied using PDF / Word form

If you applied for your latest leave of absence using a PDF/Word document form, you will need to complete your return form at least 6 weeks before your return date and send it to your School/supervisor for their review.

Students who applied using Self-Service

If you applied for your latest leave of absence using the Self-Service leave of absence portal, depending on the duration of your absence, we will contact you around 8-12 weeks before your return date and invite you to complete an online return form.

If your return date is closer than 8 weeks away, either due to a short leave of absence period, or a retrospective leave of absence, we will aim to contact you sooner.

If it is less than 8 weeks before your return date and you have not heard from us, please contact tsa-loa@contacts.bham.ac.uk (undergraduate and postgraduate taught) pgrletforms@contacts.bham.ac.uk (postgraduate research).

*Please note, if you are a Student route sponsored student, you will need to contact the International Student Team 3 months  before your return to give sufficient time for a CAS to be issued. You can do this even if you have not received an invitation from us to return.

Before you apply to return from your leave of absence, use this checklist to ensure you have everything you need:

1) Have you received your invitation to return?

If it is less than 8 weeks before your return date and you have not received your invitation to return, please contact tsa-loa@contacts.bham.ac.uk (undergraduate and postgraduate taught) pgrletforms@contacts.bham.ac.uk (postgraduate research)

2) Do you understand the Visa implications for returning (international students only)?

Please read carefully through the Visa implications of this page

3) Do you have the right supporting evidence? (medical absences only)

If you are returning from a medical leave of absence, you must provide medical evidence confirming you are fit to resume studies. You will need to upload this on your online form.

4) Do you have all the support you need?

Consider whether an appointment with your Wellbeing Officer might be useful to help you transition back to study and answer any questions you may have around this.

Visa Implications for International Students

When you are ready to return to your studies, ensure that you contact the International Student Team (IST) 3 months before you are due to return, and they will advise you on your visa options.

To return to your studies on a Student route visa you will need to apply for a new Confirmation for Acceptance of Studies (CAS) and make a visa application for entry clearance.

All international students (regardless of visa type) must have a 'Right to Study' (RTS) check before resuming their studies, as we need to ensure that you have the correct permissions to study at the University of Birmingham. You can complete your RTS check online by visiting the 'My Right To Study' webpage. The University of Birmingham reserves the right to withdraw students who fail to complete an RTS check on or before the first day of their return.

University Regulation 5.2.1(b) states that it is your responsibility to notify the University of any changes to your personal contact details (address, telephone, and e-mail). It is also a condition of your Student route visa for you to ensure that the University holds up to date contact details for you. You must therefore regularly check and update your contact details. You can do this by using the MyUoB app or the MyDetails webpage.

 Postgraduate Researchers

Please be aware, your registration may not be reinstated until a Right To Study (RTS) check is complete.

Please note, you will be required to visit your School administrator in person before you can be reinstated.

We understand that returning to study after a period of Leave of Absence can be a significant adjustment. To support PGRs during this transition, the University offers the option of a phased return to study.

A phased return allows PGRs to resume their studies at a reduced Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) for a short period, gradually increasing their engagement until they are ready to return to full-time study.

Please ensure that you discuss the option of a phased return with your supervisor prior to requesting it as you will need their support to be eligible as a phased return may not be appropriate in all circumstances. 

If you wish to have a phased return to your studies, please contact the RSA team around the same time as confirming your return from leave of absence either through the Self-Service form or PDF/Word Document form (please see above for advice on which form you will need to use). In your message to RSA, please state your intention to have a phased return, together with an email from your supervisor confirming they support the request. 

Once received, RSA will amend your registration dates in line with the reduced FTE and the details of your phased return will be recorded on your student record. Please note that you will remain on the same programme and FTE on your student record.

Students who applied using PDF / Word form

If you applied for your latest leave of absence using a PDF/Word document form, you will need to complete a PDF/Word document return form. Please ensure you use the correct form for your student type:

• Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught
• Postgraduate Research
• Degree Apprenticeship
• Dubai Campus (please refer to the information at our Dubai campus website)

Please complete your form and send it to your School/supervisor for their review.

Students who applied using Self-Service

Before applying, use our Before You Apply Checklist to ensure you have completed all necessary steps.

1) Receive invitation to return: Once you have received your invitation to return from your leave of absence, you will be able to begin your return application.

2) Log on: Log on to Self-Service using your University of Birmingham username and password. If you have problems logging on please contact IT Services. 

3) Check your details: Check that your details are correct. If your personal email address or mobile phone number is wrong, update your contact details in My Details before continuing.

4) Begin your return application: Select the Leave of Absence portal and locate ‘Your Existing Requests’. Double click on the application marked with a ‘Return from Leave of Absence’ status. Your leave of absence details will appear.

5) Confirm your intention to return: Tick the checkbox on the right of the screen to confirm you are returning to your programme of study.

6) Upload your evidence: Evidence is mandatory for all returns from absences where the absence reason was medical/medical (disability related). For more information on what evidence is required, please see our Return from Leave of Absence FAQs.

7) Submit your application: Tick the declaration box at the bottom of the page to confirm you understand the implications of your return from leave of absence and click ‘Submit Application’.

You will receive an email confirming your application has been submitted.

You can check the status of your return request by logging into Self-Service, selecting the leave of absence portal and clicking on ‘Your Existing Requests’. Not sure what your application status means? See our FAQs for more information.

We aim to process the majority of applications within 15 working days. Please note that if your application is complex it may take longer to process, however we will keep the system updated with progress.

If your leave of absence takes effect in the next academic year we will save your application to be processed closer to your return date.

You will receive an email once your application has been completed which will inform you of any next steps you should take.

Extending your leave of absence

If you have continuing circumstances which mean you are not able to return to studies yet, you can apply to extend your leave of absence by submitting another leave of absence form. If you have not returned to your studies yet, this leave of absence should start from your previous leave of absence’s end date.

Please contact your Wellbeing Officer / personal tutor / supervisor for more advice on extending your leave of absence. You can visit our Leave of Absence webpage for full details on applying for a leave of absence.

Withdrawing from your studies

If you wish to withdraw from your studies altogether, please Contact your school / Wellbeing Officer / personal tutor / supervisor in the first instance.

You can also visit our Voluntary Withdrawal webpage for further guidance on withdrawals.

Please visit our Return from Leave of Absence FAQs for more help with your return.