Find out about temporarily or permanently withdrawing from your course, what support you can receive and who you need to contact.
On this page
The guidance on this page is for taught students only. If you are a postgraduate researcher, find out about your withdrawal process through the Sussex Researcher School.
If you are on an online distance learning (ODL) course, contact ODL-admin@sussex.ac.uk to request a withdrawal.
If you are on a PGCE or Pedagogy & Practice programme, speak to your Academic Personal Tutor (Academic Advisor/ Academic Success Advisor) to request a withdrawal.
Requesting a temporary break from your studies
Taking a formal break from your course is called temporary withdrawal.
Students decide to take temporary withdrawal for a range of reasons. These can include health, family, academic and financial concerns.
If you are experiencing personal difficulties that impact on your studies, you may want to consider taking a period of temporary withdrawal from your degree. This gives you the option to return to continue to your studies.
You can only choose to return in September or January during the next academic year. Your School will consider your request, but they will ultimately decide your return date.
This information may also be applicable if you have been temporarily withdrawn by your School Student Progress Panel (SSPP).
- Before you apply for temporary withdrawal
Before applying, we strongly recommend you discuss this with your Academic Personal Tutor (Academic Advisor/ Academic Success Advisor) and a member of our Student Advice & Guidance team, to look at the support available through the University, or in the local area, that could help you to remain on your course.
There are various factors you need to consider before applying for a period of withdrawal, such as fees and funding, housing, your student visa, and when you anticipate returning to your studies.
You'll find general guidance and support information on this page, but an Advisor can answer questions about how temporary withdrawal may impact you based on your individual circumstances. You can contact the Student Advice & Guidance team via My Sussex: log in with your Sussex credentials and use Ask For Help.
When you take a period of temporary withdrawal, your fees will be recalculated in line with our Fee Liability Policy [PDF 123KB] or Rent Rebate Policy [DOC 24KB]. You will have some access to University facilities, but will not receive any tuition and will not be allowed to stay in University accommodation. You will still have access to your University email during your temporary withdrawal so we can maintain contact with you.
Taking a temporary withdrawal may affect your student visa status and your right to stay in the UK.
The deadlines for withdrawal for the 2024/25 academic year are:
- Undergraduate and PGCE students – 11 April 2025
- Postgraduates – 27 June 2025
These dates are not relevant for all courses - if you are studying at Zhejiang GongShang University, you can find the relevant dates in your student handbook.
Before you apply for temporary withdrawal, do consider your personal circumstances and seek advice where you need it.
- How to apply for temporary withdrawal
If you're certain you want to apply for a period of temporary withdrawal, complete this withdrawal request form.
The form will ask you to provide your last date of attendance (LDA). Your LDA is the point up to which you have studied and can include attendance/engagement or submission of work. Check Sussex Direct or Canvas to find out what your records show. This date will be verified and will be amended if our records differ from the date provided. If you are currently on a placement year, you should use the last day you attended your placement as your last date of attendance.
You can't use this form to request temporary withdrawal if you’re on an Online Distance Learning (ODL) course, a PGCE or Pedagogy & Practice course or a postgraduate research (PhD) programme.
Instead, ODL learners should contact ODL-admin@sussex.ac.uk; postgraduate researchers should contact the Sussex Researcher School; and if you are on a PGCE or Pedagogy & Practice course, you should speak to your Academic Personal Tutor (Academic Advisor/ Academic Success Advisor).
Leaving university permanently
The process of leaving the University is called permanent withdrawal.
Submitting an application to permanently withdraw will mean you have decided to close your University of Sussex registration. Once approved, unless there are exceptional circumstances, you will not be able to return to complete your degree.
- Before you apply for permanent withdrawal
Before applying, we strongly recommend you discuss this with your Academic Personal Tutor (Academic Advisor/ Academic Success Advisor) and a member of our Student Advice & Guidance team, to understand the implications of your decision and to look at the support available through the University, or in the local area, that could help you to remain on your course.
There are various factors you need to consider before permanently withdrawing, such as fees and funding, housing, and your student visa.
You'll find general guidance and support information on this page, but an Advisor can answer questions about how withdrawal may impact you based on your individual circumstances. You can contact the Student Advice & Guidance team via My Sussex: log in with your Sussex credentials and use Ask For Help.
If you hold a Student visa, it is important to understand the implications of withdrawing from the University. For advice on your Student visa contact International Advice.
You should let your Academic Personal Tutor (Academic Advisor/ Academic Success Advisor) know, as they may be able to support you if your issues are course- or study-related. They may also provide you with a reference after you leave.
Retrospective applications for permanent withdrawal will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. It is your responsibility to notify the University of a permanent withdrawal at the point at which you intend to withdraw, via the Withdrawal form.
If there were circumstances which explain why you were unable to participate in your degree programme before the date you officially notified the University you wanted to permanently withdraw, you will be asked to provide supporting evidence.
- How to apply for permanent withdrawal
If you're certain that you want to permanently withdraw from the University, complete this withdrawal request form.
The form will ask you to provide your last date of attendance (LDA). Your LDA is the point up to which you have studied and can include attendance/engagement or submission of work. Check Sussex Direct or Canvas to find out what your records show. This date will be verified and will be amended if our records differ from the date provided. If you are currently on a placement year, you should use the last day you attended your placement as your last date of attendance.
You can't use this withdrawal request form if you’re on an Online Distance Learning (ODL) course, a PGCE or Pedagogy & Practice course or a postgraduate research (PhD) programme.
Instead, ODL learners should contact ODL-admin@sussex.ac.uk; postgraduate researchers should contact the Sussex Researcher School; and if you are on a PGCE or Pedagogy & Practice course, you should speak to your Academic Personal Tutor (Academic Advisor/ Academic Success Advisor).
This information may also be applicable if you have been withdrawn by the University and wish to consider the impact, options available and possible next steps.
What happens next
Once you have made a firm decision, and completed the withdrawal request form, your request will be reviewed and processed by the Student Data and Records team and shared internally. If you are seeking a temporary break to your studies, this will be subject to approval by your academic area and will include approval of an agreed return date.
Once your request is processed, you will be contacted by the Student Data and Records team with an outcome or to request further information.
- Using our services during temporary withdrawal
You can continue using the Library, Sussex Direct, Canvas and your computing account and Sussex email while you’re temporarily on withdrawal from the University.
You can also access support from teams based in the Student Centre. However, during busy times, we may need to prioritise students who are fully registered.
If you receive support from our Disability Advice team, funded by Disabled Students’ Allowance, this support will be suspended while you are on withdrawal.
If you are attending sessions from University Counselling Services, the number of sessions you are offered may vary while you are on withdrawal.
You can contact the relevant teams through My Sussex.
Fees and funding
Most of this information is only relevant if you are funded by Student Finance England. If you are funded by another funding body and have questions, email studentfunding@sussex.ac.uk
Withdrawing from your course temporarily or permanently may mean you receive more money from your loan or grant than you are due.
Once you have confirmed your withdrawal from the University, your student record will be updated automatically, whether you choose to withdraw temporarily or permanently. This may take time to process.
Your fees will be amended in line with our Fee Liability Policy [PDF 123KB] or Rent Rebate Policy [DOC 24KB].
If you are leaving part way through a chargeable period, you’ll pay the full fee for that period. For example, a Masters student leaving in November pays tuition fees to the end of December.
If you have a scholarship or a bursary, this may be affected if you withdraw. See more about changes to a scholarship or bursary.
- Fees and funding during temporary withdrawal
Once your temporary withdrawal has been agreed, the University will contact Student Finance to tell them that you are no longer attending University and confirm your last date of attendance. Student Finance will use this date to re-calculate your maintenance funding for the year.
Tuition fees and maintenance funding
Depending on the point in the academic year when you withdraw, the University may recalculate the tuition fee due for the year.
Students are only entitled to maintenance funding for the time they are studying. For the majority of students, funding will stop on the last day of attendance, even if your withdrawal is processed later than this. Student Finance will recalculate your funding entitlement for the year and issue a new entitlement letter. Depending on when you withdraw, this may mean that some of your maintenance grant and/or maintenance loan needs to be repaid. As long as there are no changes to your course, this will normally be deducted from the next grant or loan payment.
If you do change course, this counts as an “interruption in studies”. This will trigger a demand from the Student Loans Company for any outstanding grant or loan before they will allow you further maintenance or tuition fee funding. If you have any questions contact studentfunding@sussex.ac.uk.
Temporary withdrawal on health grounds
If you withdraw on health grounds, you are automatically entitled to an additional 60 days of funding from your last date of attendance. Holiday periods as well as term time are counted within this 60 day period. Depending on your last date of attendance, you may receive a funding award after you have taken temporary withdrawal. If so, you will not have been charged fees for this period.
Claiming State Benefits whilst on temporary withdrawal
Whilst on temporary withdrawal you are still considered a full time student, and are not eligible for state benefits in most instances. Exceptions include:
- students who were eligible for benefits whilst studying (you should ask for re-assessment since your maintenance funding from Student Finance England will have stopped)
- students who withdrew on health grounds but are recovered enough to work.
If you have any questions or issues with benefit claims, email studentfunding@sussex.ac.uk.
- Fees and funding during permanent withdrawal
If a student permanently withdraws from their course, they will go through a similar process to students on temporary withdrawal with regards to fee and maintenance funding. The exception is that any maintenance overpayment will need to be paid back immediately. Students who withdraw on health grounds are not entitled to additional funding.
Claiming State Benefits after permanent withdrawal
Ex-students are entitled to claim benefits as per other members of the general public. We strongly suggest that if you are taking permanent withdrawal, you start a Universal Credit claim as soon as you can.
- If you owe us money
You may still have an outstanding balance to pay after you withdraw. You can view any balance, and pay with a debit or credit card, online through your Sussex Direct account.
If your withdrawal is temporary, we may contact you to arrange payment before you return, or to let you know about any other outstanding payments on your account (such as accommodation fees).
If you have permanently withdrawn, you will need to pay any outstanding amount as soon as possible. To discuss your account, or arrange payment of your balance, contact Student Accounts at studentaccounts@sussex.ac.uk.
View our Student Debt Recovery Policy [PDF 131KB].
- Refunds
If you have temporarily withdrawn, and your student account is in credit from a tuition fee payment, the credit will be held on your account to go towards any future tuition fees due when you return. You can, however, request a refund for any other credits, such as overpayment of accommodation charges.
If you have permanently withdrawn, and your student account is in credit, you can request a refund.
Contact studentaccounts@sussex.ac.uk if you have any questions.
- Direct Federal Loans
A Federal Loan is awarded under the assumption that you will attend university for the entire period for which funding was granted.
If you withdraw or take a break before completing 60% of a payment period, the University will inform the Department of Education and calculate the amount of funding that has been earned (the portion that you are entitled to) based on your period of attendance. If more financial assistance has been received than was earned, the excess funds must be returned to the Department of Education.
A student in receipt of Federal funds who takes temporary withdrawal will be classed as withdrawn for financial aid purposes.
Important: If you apply to withdraw, you must indicate on the withdrawal form that you have received a Federal Loan when asked.
Further guidance and support
Learn more about how withdrawal may affect your housing, visa, or placement.
- Your housing
If you are in University-managed accommodation, you must also terminate your accommodation agreement. This is a separate process to your withdrawal from study.
For further information on how to terminate your contract contact housing@sussex.ac.uk.
You may also wish to ask Housing about your entitlement to university accommodation on your return the following year.
- Council tax liability
If you are on temporary withdrawal, you retain your classification as a student of the University and should continue to be exempt from paying Council Tax. This is based on an expectation that you will return to your course.
Students who withdraw permanently will no longer be classified as a student, meaning that you will be liable for Council Tax.
- Your visa
If you are a student studying with a visa, it's important that you check the visa implications when taking a break from your studies, and seek advice from an International Advisor on your individual visa and immigration related circumstances.
- Assessments while you are on temporary withdrawal
If you have remaining resits/sits from the previous academic year, these may be scheduled whilst you are on temporary withdrawal. Check your timetable and liaise with your School directly for further information about the timings for these assessments.
- Withdrawing while on a placement or study abroad programme
If you are currently on a placement year and wish to withdraw, you will need to contact the placements team at placements@sussex.ac.uk. You may also wish to discuss your decision with your placement tutor in your academic School.
If you apply for temporary withdrawal while you are on a placement year or study abroad year, we will ask you to confirm if you would prefer to return to your final year of study, or to return to your placement year or study abroad year after your period of withdrawal.
You will need to follow the same process as withdrawing from your studies. On the withdrawal request form, use the last day you attended your placement as your last date of attendance.
If you are currently studying on a study abroad programme at an institution overseas and wish to come home early, contact the Sussex Abroad team.
- Applying for temporary withdrawal after the deadline date
If you're an undergraduate, if the deadline for within-year withdrawal has passed, your request for temporary withdrawal will be approved once your progression results are confirmed:
- in July, following the summer exam board, or
- in September, if you have resits in August.
Once your results are confirmed, you have until the start of the next academic year (September 2026) to submit your request.
On the withdrawal request form, you will be asked to specify a preferred return date in the following academic year, at the start of one of the teaching blocks. Your return date depends on the teaching and learning you completed at the point of withdrawal.
The Progression and Award Board (PAB) is responsible for reviewing your academic performance for the semester/stage, and confirming your re-entry date and any assessments that will be set before/after re-entry, or whether you will need to repeat the semester/stage.
Returning after your withdrawal
If you have taken temporary withdrawal, the University will contact you by email to confirm your return to study.
You may wish to book an appointment with a Student Advisor via My Sussex before your return date to plan your transition back into studying and discuss any worries or concerns.
- Returning after temporary withdrawal on health grounds
Students who take temporary withdrawal on health grounds are required to complete the Fitness to Return process ahead of your return. You will be contacted by your academic School before your return to do this. You will need to provide a personal statement and supporting evidence (usually from a medical professional) to confirm that you are ready and well enough to come back and have all the support you need.
- Visa implications
If you want to return to your studies after a temporary withdrawal, you will need to apply for a new visa with a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) before resuming your course.
- Housing
You will need to apply for any future University accommodation by any published deadlines, so we encourage you to monitor this during the academic year – visit our accommodation for returning students page for further information.
Requesting to extend your period of temporary withdrawal
If you wish to request an extension to an existing period of temporary withdrawal, you can do this via the withdrawal request form.
You will be asked to provide a revised return date, a statement setting out your reasons for requesting an extension and to provide any supporting information to enable your request to be considered.
Your request will be considered by your academic area, which will include approval of your revised return date.