Leaving the University: leaving study or going to another University…

I think my son or daughter might want to leave the University of Sheffield…or might want to go to another university…

Sometimes leaving home for the first time, coming to a new place, and trying to make a whole new set of friends, doesn’t work out as well as expected. We know that some students change their mind about studying away from home, or feel that studying at university is not for them after all.

If your son or daughter is thinking about leaving the University they should talk to a member of staff in their department (such as their personal tutor), to get advice as to how leaving the university will affect their studies or their funding and whether there is an alternative to leaving – sometimes taking a break from the course is a more suitable option (known as a Leave of Absence). Their department can also advise about other parts of the University who can offer help and support, for example the Counselling Service or the Student Advice Centre. Information about these services is also available from the Student Services Information Desk (SSiD).

TIP: if your son or daughter is considering leaving the University, they should talk to someone in their department first. They can help and advise.

If your son or daughter does decide to leave our university – either to transfer to another university or training institution, or to withdraw completely - they should fill out a Change of Status form. Your son or daughter can obtain a Change of Status form online or from (SSiD) in person. Their department will help them fill the form in if they need assistance.

TIP: If they decide to leave, your son or daughter will need to fill out a Change of Status form.

The completed form should be signed by the academic department/s involved, and then sent on to the Taught Programmes Office (TPO). Once the form is approved by TPO, the withdrawal or transfer is processed on the central computer record system. In the case of a withdrawal from the University where a student is funded by the Student Finance England (SFE) (sometimes known as the Student Loans Company). TPO will inform SFE of the withdrawal on behalf of your son or daughter. In the case of a student who is funded by SFE and transferring to another institution, it is the responsibility of the new institution to inform SFE of your son or daughter’s transfer.

Finally, your son or daughter will then be sent a copy of the completed Change of Status form to confirm their student record has been updated. At this stage your son or daughter will no longer be a student of the University of Sheffield, and will no longer be able to access their email account or any of the university buildings they might have used when they were a student.