Taking a break in study

Discuss things with your course leader, personal tutor or supervisor. It's important you do this before you make any final decisions. They'll be able to talk to you about the academic implications and the dates of your break in study.

If you're on placement, or studying abroad, discuss this with your academic school too.

Taking a break in study during the academic year may affect your tuition fee. You can find out more about our fee payment conditions.

Students funded by the Student Loans Company

You should contact the Student Loans Company to ensure they're aware of any changes to your study.

If you have a Tuition Fee Loan from the Student Loans Company, we'll keep them updated. We'll let them know of any change to your tuition fee liability for that academic year.

We also have to update the Student Loans Company if you take a break in study. See the terms and conditions of student loans for more information.

The Student Loans Company will reassess any Maintenance Loan or grants you're getting. You're usually only eligible while you're actively studying.

You might be taking a break in your studies for health reasons. If so, you may be able to get extra Maintenance Loan funding beyond your date of suspension.

If you take time out part way through a term, you may have been paid too much maintenance or grant. This is called an 'overpayment'. You may have to pay some of it back.

There may also be an impact on your future funding entitlement.

If you're a postgraduate student and receive postgraduate funding from the Student Loans Company, your loan payments will stop if you take time out. They will reinstate your postgraduate funding once you resume your studies.

Email The Student Money Team if you have questions about your student loan. You can also call them on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Students funded by external funding bodies

Taking a break in study may affect your eligibility for external funding. If you're receiving external funding, contact your provider for further advice. This can include sponsorships and so forth.

If you receive US Financial Student Aid, email us for advice before withdrawing from your studies. Withdrawing can affect your funding and repayment requirement.

Further education students

If you're a further education student, email us for advice. We'll be able to tell you about the impact of your withdrawal on any further education funding you get.

Eligibility for University bursaries, scholarships and hardship funding

You'll need to check what impact your break in study will have on your entitlement to any:

• University bursaries
• scholarships
• studentships
• hardship funding.

How will you support yourself financially?

Carefully consider how you'll support yourself if you take a break in study. Will you seek paid work, for example?

You may be eligible to claim state benefits during this period if you have:

• children
• a long-term health condition or disability.

You may also be eligible if:

• you've been unwell, and are now better and waiting to return to your studies
• you've had caring responsibilities and they have now ended.

If you're thinking of taking a a break in study, make an appointment with our money advice team. They'll be able to talk you through the financial implications one-on-one.

Students on a break in their studies will continue to have access to university buildings and their NTU email. Access to other NTU IT systems will be suspended.

Please note that access to your OneDrive will be removed, which will result in the deletion of all files currently held on there. It is recommended that you download all files onto a personal machine so that they are not lost. This does not impact any work that has been formally submitted for assessment.

If you're thinking of taking a break in study, review your contractual status with any accommodation provider. This includes NTU halls.

Try to cancel your accommodation within the terms of the cancellation policy. If you can't, it's likely you'll be held to contract, and have to pay your fees in full.

Not all providers have a cancellation policy. A tenancy agreement is a legally binding document. Once you've signed it, the provider doesn't have to allow you to cancel.

NTU and UPP halls do allow new students to cancel. You must notify us in writing at least 21 days before the start of the licence period. See our guide to accommodation for more information. You can also email Student Accommodation Services or call them on +44 (0)115 848 2894.

If you've booked with a private provider, contact them directly. Review your tenancy agreement and any other booking information first.

You can also contact the Students’ Union Information and Advice Service. They'll be able to give advice on accommodation contracts.

A break in study will affect your eligibility for DSA.

You will also lose access to any mentoring or tutor support. You must tell your provider that you're going to suspend your studies. You may be liable for any support costs incurred during a break in study.

If your course is likely to continue beyond its original end date, email the DSA team at the Student Loans Company. They will be able to ensure:

• continued access to DSA support
• support with altering any insurance and warranty on equipment you may have.

The council may wish to review your circumstances if you have:

• an official break
• an extended period of absence.

The Local Authority will decide whether you're still eligible for Council Tax exemption. This is at their discretion.

Find out more about Council Tax.

Seek advice from our International Student Support team before you withdraw.

If you are on a Student visa and agree taking a break in study, we must notify UKVI. This is part of our responsibilities as an educational sponsor.

This will result in your visa being 'curtailed' — cancelled. You'll have to leave the UK and apply from a new visa from overseas. Only then will you be able to return to the UK to complete your course.

Find more information about visas and immigration.

You'll also have to get a new CAS number. You'll have to make sure you meet the requirements for your new Student visa application. This includes show you have enough funds to meet the maintenance requirements.

Taking a break in your studies doesn't mean taking a break in working towards your career.

Book an appointment to speak to one of our team about pausing your studies and career planning. They'll give you tailored advice based on your individual circumstances and needs.