What is a suspension of registration?

A suspension is a temporary withdrawal from your course for a period of between three and twelve months. A suspension may be appropriate if you are ill, need a period of maternity/paternity leave, or have some other serious personal or financial difficulties that are affecting your ability to continue with your course.

It is important to note that any request for a suspension must be made at the time it is needed, or in advance if at all possible – retrospective requests will not be considered under any circumstances. If you are considering suspending your registration, we would encourage you to seek advice from your supervisor. You may also want to speak with the University's Student Welfare Service or the Students' Union Education Unit.

How long a suspension can I request?

The suspension period must be:

• at least three months long – requests for suspensions of less than three months will not be considered
• no longer than twelve months – requests for a suspension of more than twelve months (or for separate suspensions that would cumulatively total more than twelve months over the duration of your course) will be approved only in exceptional circumstances

Please note that following a suspension of registration you may only resume your course on one of four fixed entry points – 01 October, 01 January, 01 April, or 01 July

Do I have to pay fees for periods of suspension?

No tuition fees are payable for an agreed period of suspension – however, for the duration of the suspension you will have no access to University facilities such as the Library or your CFS/University email account nor are you entitled to any support from your supervisor or School/Department.

I am an international researcher - does a suspension affect my visa?

If you have a Tier 4 student visa obtained using a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) statement, the University will notify the UK Border Agency if you suspend your registration.

If you are here on any other visa type/immigration route, the University will not notify the UK Border Agency if you suspend your registration.

All international researchers wanting to request a suspension of their registration should read carefully the advice contained in Section Four of the Request to Suspend Studies form and the Frequently Asked Questions attached to the form. For further advice on how a suspension may affect your visa, please email our International Student Advisers at welfare@le.ac.uk

How do I request a suspension of my registration?

To request a suspension of your registration, please complete the Request to Suspend Studies form and return this to the postgraduate research administrator in your School/Department:

Request to Suspend Studies - Form >