Withdrawal.

Students may make a written request to the Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs (VRAC) to suspend their registration for the whole or the remainder of an academic year, producing evidence of circumstances that make it impossible for them to continue with their studies but which do not preclude them from coming back in the following year.

Such requests will be granted automatically, on provision of medical evidence, in cases of serious or debilitating illness, or handicap which may require time to overcome, or requests for maternity leave, or the death or illness of a close relative or dependent. Other kinds of reasons may also be given, and the decision will be taken by the VRAC on the strength of the evidence that a period of suspension is needed and the likelihood of the student being able to return to his or her studies at the beginning of the next year.

In the case of a suspension that starts after the beginning of an academic year, any passing grades already earned during that year will be retained on the student’s record and the student will not be required to redo these assignments/ examinations but will rejoin the programme at an appropriate point to be agreed with the Programme Leader.

Normally only one such period of suspension shall be granted and for only one year. The exceptions are requests for maternity leave, debilitating illness/handicap where medical evidence suggests that the student will be able to return to study within a further year, and events or conditions occurring so close to the end of an academic year that the circumstances that made the request necessary will clearly still be in force in the next year.

Repeated suspension shall not be granted for chronic, on-going medical conditions. Instead the VRAC shall consult with the student and the Institution’s medical officer or other disability officer to see what help the Institution can offer that will help to overcome the effect of the condition as far as ability to study is concerned. No student may suspend studies for more than two years. Instead, students should re-apply for admission with transferred credit, under whatever admission rules are in force at the time.