Change of Status Form

Leave of Absence

You must discuss your proposed course of action with an Academic Adviser in your department/school (e.g. your Personal Tutor, Year/Course Tutor, Director of Studies, as appropriate).
Read/Print the Signposting Sheet for Students (see Downloads box). This contains a list of things you should consider, including sources of advice and information, if you are thinking of taking leave of absence from the University.
General guidance and information is also available at Help and Support for Students on the Student Services information Desk (SSiD) website (link in See Also box).
You may also find it helpful to consult the Students' Union Advice Centre (link in See Also box).

Please note that a leave of absence may have significant financial consequences which you are advised to check before making a decision, e.g.

If you receive any grant/bursary from a sponsor, you may need to repay part of this; if you repeat any part of your studies on your return, you may not receive support towards your tuition fees for that part of the programme.
You will not be eligible to apply for a Student Loan while on leave of absence and you may not be entitled to any state benefits, though you could still apply for financial help from the University.
If you are responsible for paying tuition fees and your leave will have an impact on payments made/due, your position will be reviewed automatically by the University (see link to Fee Reduction and Refund Policy on in the See Also box).
Your change of status may impact on tuition fees paid and due, and you may even be entitled to a refund (see link to Fee Reduction and Refund Policy in the See Also box).
If you are unsure as to exactly how your leave of absence may affect your tuition fees, please seek advice from the Student Fees section of Registry Services on 0114 222 1306 or email the link below.

If you are in the UK on a student visa your leave of absence will not be processed until you have spoken to a University immigration adviser.

To make an appointment with a University immigration adviser, please email the link below or visit International Student Support and Guidance located on Level 6 of the Students' Union.
Please note that the University must report changes in your circumstances to the UK Home Office, including: changes of programme, leave of absence, withdrawal, failure to attend.

Discuss your proposed change of status (COS) with an Academic Adviser in your department/school (e.g. Personal Tutor, Year/Course Tutor or Director of Studies, as appropriate).
Download the COS Form for Leave of Absence (from the Downloads box) and complete the Student Details section.
Take the COS Form to your Academic Adviser and complete the rest of the Form with their assistance. Both you and your Academic Adviser should sign and date the Form.
You will also need to obtain a Departmental Approval signature from your department/school. Once the COS Form is completed you should submit it to your department/school office, who will arrange for the departmental approval and they will then forward the Form to the Taught Programmes Office in Student Services for approval and processing.
Once leave of absence is approved and your central student record has been updated, you will receive confirmation of the leave of absence to your University email account. You may wish to print the confirmation email for your own records.

Please Note: If you are applying for leave on medical grounds, you must obtain a medical certificate from the University Heath Service (or another doctor, if you are not registered with the UHS) and submit it along with your completed COS Form. Students in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health should obtain a medical certificate from the Occupational Health Service. If your leave of absence is on medical grounds, you may only resume your studies if you are certified fit to do so by the University Health Service (for more information see link Returning from medical leave of absence in the See Also box).
Please Note: If your leave is linked to a change of programme of study, a separate COS Form to apply for a change of programme must also be completed and submitted. For more information see link to Change of Programme in the See Also box).

Have you submitted a medical certificate with your COS Form (if appropriate)?
Have you contacted International Student Support and Guidance to make an appointment (if appropriate)?
Have you notified the Student Loans Company (SLC) or your funding sponsor of the change (if appropriate)?
Have you notified Accommodation & Campus Services, if you are living in University accommodation?