Absences from Study & Change of Study Location
Absences from Study & Change of Study Location
Students at the University of Warwick are required to be in attendance at the University of Warwick during their Term time.
Your Term Time is determined by your Study Level - See box below:
Undergraduate taught courses and below:
As per the dates stated on the following link, unless your department states otherwise:
Upcoming term dates at the University of WarwickLink opens in a new window
Postgraduate taught courses:
Course Start Date to Course End Date - As stated on your current CAS.
Postgraduate research courses (PGR):
Course Enrolment Date to Degree Conferral Date.
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Pausing your studies temporarily:
Changing where you study:
Ending your studies permanently:
If you need to be absent from your studies for any reason during your Term Time:
You must discuss your situation with your Department first.
You must obtain their written authorisation to be absent from your studies under one of the policies listed below.
Your department will only authorise an absence if they are academically able to do so, as per the University of Warwick Regulations.
Temporary withdrawal will normally result in the University stopping sponsorship of your Student Visa.
You will need to leave the UK and apply for a new Student Visa from overseas before returning to your studies.
A new Student Visa will only be sponsored if you are eligible for sponsorship at the point you are due to return.
Temporary Withdrawal is an approved or required period of time when you are temporarily withdrawn from your course and are not studying for your award.
During temporary withdrawal, you must not undertake formal study.
You will not be required to attend teaching, examinations or assessments, and you must stop receiving formal instruction from your department.
You will usually retain access to University IT, library services and borrowing rights during a period of temporary withdrawal.
Any time taken as temporary withdrawal is normally added to your course registration period.
This means your expected course end date will be extended.
Temporary withdrawal may be requested where you need to pause your studies for a period of time.
Reasons may include, but are not limited to:
- medical treatment or ill health;
- maternity or parental reasons;
- financial difficulties;
- military service;
- family or personal circumstances;
- work or other commitments that mean you cannot dedicate the required time to your studies;
- visa or right to study issues.
Temporary withdrawal is different from Authorised Absence.
Authorised Absence is a short, pre-approved break that does not extend your course end date and does not affect Student Visa sponsorship if recorded correctly.
Temporary Withdrawal is a formal pause in study and will affect Student Visa sponsorship.
Students may request temporary withdrawal if they need to pause their studies and the request can be supported under University regulations.
If you think you need temporary withdrawal, you should discuss this with your academic department, supervisor, personal tutor or relevant student support team before submitting a request.
The University may also require a student to take temporary withdrawal in some circumstances.
This may include, but is not limited to:
- where a student does not have a valid right to study in the UK;
- unpaid tuition fee debt or other financial issues;
- course progression concerns;
- missed monitoring points or engagement concerns;
- concerns about a student’s capacity to study;
- an outcome of a University disciplinary or academic process.
Your department or the relevant University team will confirm if temporary withdrawal is required.
Temporary withdrawal affects your Student Visa sponsorship.
Once a period of temporary withdrawal has been recorded on your student record, the Student Records team will submit a report to the Home Office confirming that the University has stopped sponsoring your Student Visa.
This report will normally be submitted within 10 working days of the temporary withdrawal being recorded.
UKVI will then take action to curtail your Student Visa.
You should make plans to leave the UK within 60 days of the University’s report date, or before your visa expiry date if this is sooner.
Once you have left the UK, you should not attempt to return to the UK using your existing Student Visa.
Your existing Student Visa will no longer be suitable for returning to your studies after temporary withdrawal.
You will need to apply for a new Student Visa from overseas before you can return to the UK to resume your studies.
To return to your studies after temporary withdrawal, you will normally need to apply for a new Student Visa from overseas.
The University will only sponsor a new Student Visa if you are eligible for sponsorship at the point you are due to return.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- there being no outstanding tuition fee debt or other debt that prevents sponsorship;
- there being no academic progression or engagement concerns that prevent sponsorship;
- your department confirming that you are expected to resume your studies;
- for undergraduate students, there being enough time remaining within the Student Visa study time limit.
If the University can sponsor your new Student Visa, you will need to make a new visa application before travelling back to the UK.
You will require a new CAS to make your new application.
To obtain this, please submit your CAS Request once your Resumption of Studies Request has been approved by Student Records.
You must not travel back to the UK to resume your studies until your new Student Visa has been granted.
You will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge and visa application fee for your new Student Visa application.
You will not receive a refund of the Immigration Health Surcharge or visa application fee paid for your current visa.
The Immigration Health Surcharge paid for your current visa also cannot be transferred to a future Student Visa application.
1: Discuss your circumstances with your academic department, supervisor, personal tutor or relevant student support team.
2: Check whether temporary withdrawal is the correct option for your circumstances.
3: Submit your request through your Student Records Online account, unless you have been advised that the University is recording temporary withdrawal for another reason.
4: Provide any supporting evidence required by your department or Student Records.
5: Wait for confirmation that your temporary withdrawal has been approved or recorded.
If you are sponsored by the University of Warwick on a Student Visa, you should make sure you understand the visa implications before requesting temporary withdrawal.
Temporary withdrawal will normally result in the University stopping sponsorship of your Student Visa.
Authorised Absence is a short, pre-approved break from your studies.
It does not extend your course end date.
During a period of Authorised Absence, you must not take part in teaching, assessments or progress monitoring activities.
If you are sponsored by the University of Warwick on a Student Visa, an approved period of Authorised Absence will not affect your visa sponsorship, provided it is recorded correctly through the Student Records process.
Authorised Absence may be considered where you need a short, temporary break from study for a permitted reason.
Examples may include:
- illness, medical reasons, maternity-related absence or bereavement;
- certain approved work-related circumstances;
- specific postgraduate research circumstances, such as periods linked to thesis submission, viva or corrections.
This is not a complete list.
Your academic department is responsible for deciding whether Authorised Absence is appropriate in your circumstances and whether your request can be supported under University regulations.
Student Visa Advice Service cannot approve Authorised Absence and cannot confirm whether your reason meets the academic requirements for approval.
If you believe you may need Authorised Absence, you should discuss this with your academic department or supervisor.
Authorised Absence is not automatic.
Your department will decide whether it can be approved based on your circumstances, the reason for the request, the timing and length of the absence, and any supporting evidence required.
Student Visa Advice Service does not decide whether Authorised Absence can be granted.
1: Discuss your request with your academic department or supervisor.
2: Follow your department’s instructions for requesting Authorised Absence.
3: Where required, submit your request through Student Records Online and provide supporting evidence.
4: Wait for confirmation that the request has been approved and recorded before beginning the absence.
If you are a Student Visa holder sponsored by the University of Warwick, your visa sponsorship will not be affected where the Authorised Absence is approved and recorded through the correct Student Records process.
Undergraduate students may be able to request Authorised Absence for a summer internship during the last 3 weeks of Term 3.
This is only available where you have completed your required study for the academic year and your department agrees that the Authorised Absence can be supported.
If you think this applies to you, you must contact your academic department to obtain a 'No Objection' Email or Letter.
Once you have this, click on the following button to go to our UG Summer Internship Request Form, complete the form, attach your No Objection Letter/Email, along with your offer of internship from your employer:
During an approved period of Authorised Absence for a summer internship, you may be able to work full-time for the approved dates.
Outside an approved period of Authorised Absence, your normal Student Visa working restrictions continue to apply.
Postgraduate taught students may be able to request Authorised Absence for work purposes in the final 4 weeks before the course end date stated on their CAS.
This is only available where you have completed all required assessments and submitted all work towards your degree.
Requests can only be processed after your official submission deadline has passed, even if you submitted your work early.
If you think this applies to you, you must contact your academic department.
Your department will decide whether the request can be supported and, if appropriate, will submit the request to the Student Visa Advice Service.
If the request is processed, the Student Visa Advice Service will issue a letter confirming the approved Authorised Absence period.
You can provide this letter to your employer as evidence that you are considered outside of term time and may work full-time during the approved period.
If your degree is not conferred, or you are required to resit modules or resubmit work, you will be considered in term time again.
This means you must return to your normal Student Visa working restriction until your course is successfully completed.
Postgraduate research students may be able to request Authorised Absence for work purposes during their normal period of registration, up to a maximum of 42 days in each academic year.
This is only available where your department agrees that the Authorised Absence can be supported.
Your department will consider whether the requested absence is appropriate alongside your research progress, supervision arrangements and any other academic requirements.
If you think this applies to you, you must contact your supervisor or academic department.
Your department will decide whether the request can be supported and, if appropriate, will advise you on the correct process.
During an approved period of Authorised Absence for work purposes, you may be able to work full-time for the approved dates.
Outside an approved period of Authorised Absence, your normal Student Visa working restrictions continue to apply.
If the Authorised Absence is approved and recorded correctly through Student Records, it will not affect your Student Visa sponsorship.
Postgraduate research students who have submitted their thesis and are waiting for their viva are in the period sometimes referred to as “limbo”.
During this period, you may be able to work without the usual 20-hour weekly restriction, but you must have Authorised Absence confirmation through the Student Records process.
If you think this applies to you, you should follow the Student Records process for requesting Authorised Absence and provide any evidence required, such as confirmation of your thesis submission and viva arrangements.
Authorised Absence during this period can cover the period from your thesis submission date until your viva date.
If your viva outcome requires corrections, your normal Student Visa working restrictions will apply again until your corrections have been submitted and approved, unless another approved basis applies.
If the Authorised Absence is confirmed and recorded correctly through Student Records, it will not affect your Student Visa sponsorship.
Postgraduate research students who have completed their academic requirements may be able to request confirmation from the Student Visa Advice Service that they can work while waiting for formal confirmation through the pass list.
This may apply where:
- your viva outcome is pass with no corrections; or
- you were required to complete corrections, and your corrections have been submitted and approved.
If this applies to you, you can request confirmation from the Student Visa Advice Service:
You may need to provide evidence that your viva outcome was pass with no corrections, or that your corrections have been submitted and approved.
If your request is processed, the Student Visa Advice Service will issue confirmation that you can provide to your employer.
This confirmation does not affect your Student Visa sponsorship.
A Change of Study Location does not affect your Student Visa sponsorship if it is approved by your department and recorded correctly through the University process.
You should contact your academic department if you think you need to study away from Warwick during term time.
SVAS cannot approve a Change of Study Location or confirm whether it is academically appropriate.
A Change of Study Location is an approved period where you remain registered and continue engaging with your course, but your study activity takes place away from the University of Warwick.
Warwick remains your primary study location, but your department may approve a temporary change to where you are studying or completing required course activity.
A Change of Study Location is different from Temporary Withdrawal and Authorised Absence.
During a Change of Study Location, you are still studying and engaging with your course.
You may need a Change of Study Location if you will be away from the University of Warwick during term time and you are not on a period of Authorised Absence or Temporary Withdrawal.
This may include:
- a study abroad year or intercalated year;
- an integral or assessed work placement;
- an integral or assessed study placement away from Warwick;
- fieldwork, data collection or research activity away from Warwick;
- dissertation, project or write-up activity away from Warwick, where this is supported by your department.
This is not a complete list.
Your academic department is responsible for deciding whether a Change of Study Location is appropriate for your circumstances and whether your study activity can be supported away from Warwick.
A Change of Study Location should not be used where you are taking a break from study.
If you will not be studying or engaging with your course, Temporary Withdrawal or Authorised Absence may be more appropriate.
A Change of Study Location may be requested by registered students whose department has agreed that they can study or complete required course activity away from Warwick.
This is most commonly used for undergraduate students undertaking a study abroad year, intercalated year or approved placement.
However, students at other levels may also need a Change of Study Location where their course activity is taking place away from Warwick and their department supports this.
Your department will decide whether the request can be approved.
The Student Visa Advice Service cannot approve a Change of Study Location or confirm whether it is academically appropriate.
If you are sponsored by the University of Warwick on a Student Visa, an approved Change of Study Location will not affect your visa sponsorship, provided it is approved and recorded correctly through the relevant University process.
You will remain registered with the University and continue engaging with your course during the approved period.
Depending on the length and type of Change of Study Location, the University may need to record or report the change to UKVI.
This does not mean that your Student Visa sponsorship will stop.
A Change of Study Location does not normally add time to your course registration period or change your course end date, unless your course structure or student record has been amended separately.
If your course includes an integrated Study Abroad year, Intercalated Year or placement year, this will usually be recorded as a Change of Study Location through the University’s Student Records process.
This does not affect your Student Visa sponsorship, provided the change is recorded correctly.
You will remain registered with the University of Warwick and are expected to resume your studies at Warwick after the Study Abroad, Intercalated Year or placement year has ended.
If your course already included the Study Abroad, Intercalated Year or placement year when your Student Visa was issued, you should not normally need to take any additional visa action for the Change of Study Location itself.
If you transfer course after enrolment to add a Study Abroad year, Intercalated Year or placement year, your course end date may be extended beyond the end date covered by your current Student Visa.
In this situation, you will need to apply for a new Student Visa to cover the additional period of study before your current visa expires.
Your academic department or Student Records team will manage the course transfer and Change of Study Location process.
You should contact the Student Visa Advice Service if you need advice about extending your Student Visa.
Undergraduate students undertaking an internship during an official University vacation period do not usually need a Change of Study Location for that internship.
1: Discuss your plans with your academic department before you leave Warwick.
2: Your department will decide whether a Change of Study Location is appropriate and whether your study activity can be supported away from Warwick.
3: Follow your department’s instructions for requesting a Change of Study Location.
4: Where required, your department or Student Records will record the approved Change of Study Location through the relevant University process.
5: Wait for confirmation before beginning your Change of Study Location.
If you are a Student Visa holder sponsored by the University of Warwick, your visa sponsorship will not be affected where the Change of Study Location is approved and recorded correctly.
Permanent withdrawal will result in the University stopping sponsorship of your Student Visa.
The University will report your withdrawal to the Home Office. UKVI will then take action to cancel or curtail your visa.
You will need to leave the UK, or apply to switch into another visa category if you are eligible to do so, within 60 days of the University’s report date, or before your visa expiry date if this is sooner.
Permanent withdrawal is when you permanently end your registration on your course at the University of Warwick.
If you permanently withdraw, you will no longer be studying on your course and you will not be expected to return to that course at a later date.
Permanent withdrawal is different from temporary withdrawal.
Temporary withdrawal is a pause in your studies where you are expected to return.
Permanent withdrawal means you are ending your studies on that course.
You may request permanent withdrawal if you have decided that you do not want to continue studying your course at Warwick.
Before requesting permanent withdrawal, you should discuss your decision with your academic department, supervisor, personal tutor or relevant student support team.
Permanent withdrawal is an important decision and may affect your visa, fees, accommodation, funding and future study options.
Permanent withdrawal affects your Student Visa sponsorship.
If you are sponsored by the University of Warwick on a Student Visa, the University will report your permanent withdrawal to the Home Office.
The University will stop sponsoring your Student Visa.
UKVI will then take action to cancel or curtail your Student Visa.
Once the report has been submitted, Student Immigration will email you to confirm this.
You will then need to leave the UK, or apply to switch into another visa category if you are eligible to do so.
You should take action within 60 days of the University’s report date, or before your visa expiry date if this is sooner.
You will not receive a refund of the Immigration Health Surcharge or visa application fee paid for your current visa.
The Immigration Health Surcharge paid for your current visa also cannot be transferred to a future visa application.
If you want to restart your studies at Warwick, you may need to permanently withdraw from the course you are currently enrolled on before you can restart.
Restarting a course may mean restarting the same course again or beginning the first year of another programme.
If you need a Student Visa for your new course, the University will need to assess whether you are eligible for sponsorship before issuing a CAS. Sponsorship is not automatic.
You should seek advice before permanently withdrawing if you are considering restarting your studies, changing course or applying for a new Student Visa.
Please also see the guidance on the following page:
1: Discuss your decision with your academic department, supervisor, personal tutor or relevant student support team.
2: Make sure you understand the academic, financial and visa implications of permanent withdrawal.
3: Submit your request through your Student Records Online account.
4: Wait for confirmation that your permanent withdrawal has been processed.
Please also see the guidance on the following page:
A-Z of Visa Terms
Not sure what something means?
Check our list of common visa-related terminology.