Academic Registry

Change of Status

Are you thinking of Withdrawing, Suspending or Transferring from your course? Before you do, please read the information below:

Withdrawal

Withdrawal is the complete termination of a student's registration in both the programme of study and all units associated with it. Withdrawal from a course is a student's right. However should you wish to return following withdrawal, you would have to re-apply to the University and there is no guarantee of re-admittance. Please see the Academic Regulations , Withdrawal Policy and Withdrawal Procedures for full details and rules of withdrawal.

Before requesting a withdrawal, please contact your department to discuss your circumstances.Withdrawal is often the first option students will consider for various reasons from financial difficulties, to struggling with the work, to missing home but there are often ways the University can help overcome the difficulties without the need for withdrawal. There may also be other possible solutions you could take such as a temporary suspension or a transfer of course. Your department will be able to guide you which would be the best option or provide additional support if required.

Here are some links you may find useful:

If, however, after speaking with your department you still feel withdrawing would be the best option for you, please complete the Online Withdrawal Request Form. You will receive email confirmation showing receipt of your request, and following this you will receive confirmation of whether or not the withdrawal has been approved. Please check your email regularly to ensure you know if the request has been approved.

Please note: the date of withdrawal provided cannot be more than 2 weeks prior to the date you notify the University in writing of your intent to withdraw.

If you are receiving tuition fee or maintenance grants or loans from the Student Loans Company, you should inform your Local Authority/Student Finance England that you have withdrawn from your course by completing a Change of Circumstances Form. The University will also inform them. If you are withdrawing from the University of Portsmouth but going to another University to continue your undergraduate studies, please complete the Online Withdrawal Request Form.

If you withdraw during a year, you may have your tuition fees reduced based on the amount of time you have studied. If you believe you are due a refund of some of your tuition fees, please see our refund page.

Suspension

Suspension is a temporary break in study. When you suspend your studies, you will agree a date of return with your Head of Department - this date will always be the start of a relevant study period such as an academic year or semester. You may not undertake referrals or deferrals while suspended. There is no need for re-applying provided regulations are met. Suspension is NOT a student's right and must be agreed by the University. Please see the Academic Regulations , Suspension Policy and Suspension Procedures for full details and rules of suspension.

If you wish to suspend your studies for a short while, you will need to speak to your department for permission as a suspension must be agreed by your Head of Department. You will need to request a suspension in writing providing details of why you wish to suspend and when you expect to return. The maximum suspension you can request is 1 year. Further suspension can be requested after the year for an additional 1 year. Should you still not be able to return to study following two years, you would normally be withdrawn from the University.

To request a suspension you will need to ask your department administration office for a Suspension Form (SFv2) which you should complete fully and return to the office. This form will need to be signed off by the relevant academic within your department if the suspension is agreed.

Please note: the date of suspension provided cannot be more than 2 weeks prior to the date you notify the University of your intent to suspend.

If you are receiving tuition fee or maintenance grants or loans from the Student Loans Company, you should inform your Local Authority/Student Finance England that you have suspended your studies temporarily by completing a Change of Circumstances Form. The University will also inform them.

If you suspend during a year, you may have your tuition fees reduced based on the amount of time you have studied. If you believe you are due a refund of some of your tuition fees, please see our refund page.

Transfer

Transfer is where a student of the University of Portsmouth changes to another course within the University of Portsmouth . If you have achieved credit all or part of this credit may be transferred to the new course if agreed with the department. Please see the Academic Regulations , Transfer Policy and Transfer Procedures for full details and rules of transferring.

If you wish to transfer courses, you should start by talking to both the current department and the department you wish to transfer to, to ensure that both departments feel the transfer is the right move academically and that you are able to transfer to the new course at that time.

If both departments agree the move, you will need to ask your current department administration office for a Transfer Form (TFv2) which you should complete fully and return to the office. This form will need to be signed off by the relevant academic within your current department at which time the form will be forwarded to the new department administration office so your student record can be updated with the new course.

If you are receiving tuition fee or maintenance grants or loans from the Student Loans Company, you should inform your Local Authority/Student Finance England that you have transferred course by completing a Change of Circumstances Form. The University will also inform them.

If you transfer between courses with different tuition fees, you will be invoiced based on the amount of time spent on each individual course, at the cost of each individual course. If you believe you are due a refund of some of your tuition fees, please see our refund page.

If you have been excluded from a course at the University of Portsmouth or have withdrawn, you cannot transfer to another course. You would be treated as a new applicant and if the department that you are joining wish to give you credit for units already achieved, this is dealt with through the AP (E) L process.