Time off from university

If you’re facing challenges that make continuing your course difficult, whether academic, financial or personal, please explore the support options available to you. The also offers confidential services if you’d prefer to speak with someone outside the university.

Sometimes, taking a temporary break from your studies (called intermission) may be the right choice. To do this, speak with your Course Leader who will guide you through the process and offer advice (please also see FAQ below – "How do I request an intermission or withdrawal from my course?". If you’re close to finishing or have important deadlines coming up, options like extensions or Additional Consideration may be better for you.

If an intermission, extension or Additional Consideration doesn’t suit your situation, your course leader can discuss withdrawing from your course and help you decide the best timing.

Below are some FAQs about intermission and withdrawal, but get in touch with your course leader, Personal Academic Tutor or Student Support and Guidance Tutor for personalised advice.

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An intermission is a temporary break from your studies. It starts on the date that of your written request to intermit (unless a different intermission start date is subsequently agreed with your Course Leader, for example to benefit completion/submission of assessments) and lasts until you return at the beginning of a semester or teaching block.

You must agree an intermission with your course leader, either following an in person or MS Teams meeting or email exchange if a meeting is not possible (please see FAQ below “How do I request an intermission or withdrawal from my course?”).
Two months before you return, your school will contact you to check you’re ready, update you on any course changes and make sure you have the support you need. They’ll email your personal (non-university) email, so keep your contact details updated on .鈥�

If you need more time off, you can request an extension of up to one academic year, or longer in exceptional cases.鈥�

If you don’t respond or re-enrol, we will assume you no longer want to continue and will withdraw you permanently.

Withdrawal is permanently leaving your course and the university. Your official leaving date will depend on how you have been withdrawn from the course:

If you request to withdraw from the course, your official leaving date will be the date of your written request to withdraw (please see FAQ below “How do I request an intermission or withdrawal from my course?”).

If we withdraw you from the course, your official leaving date will be the date when the decision to withdraw you was taken. For example:

Process leading to withdrawal	Official Leaving Date
Attendance and engagement processes (sponsored and non-sponsored students)	The date you are notified that you have been withdrawn from the course. This may be some time after you have last attended/engaged with studies so if you have left the course please do tell us as soon as possible.
Disciplinary procedures – e.g. Academic misconduct regulations or student disciplinary procedures	The date of the meeting where the decision was taken to remove you from the course.
Fitness to practise/fitness to study procedures	The date of the meeting where the decision was taken to remove you from the course.

For further information on our procedures and regulations, please see the Student Contract.

In all cases, we will take your completed modules into consideration and may award you the highest possible exit qualification, for example a Certificate or Diploma of Higher Education. Speak with your Course Leader, Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) or Learning and Success Coach about your eligibility.

If you want to return after withdrawing, you’ll need to apply as a new student and cannot be guaranteed a place. Intermission may be a better option if you are choosing to withdraw and plan to return soon.

If you are a home student and leave partway through the year, you’ll owe fees based on when you leave.
- Term 1: 25% of the annual fee
- Term 2: 50%
- Term 3: 100%
If you intermit (take a break), your tuition fees pause and you’ll pay the remainder of that year’s fees when you return.

If you are an international student, the fees you'll owe are as follows.
- Term 1: 50% of the annual fee
- Term 2: 100%
If you are intermitting (taking a break in studies), the fee that you will charged in the year that you return depends on your agreed return date and will be charged at the tuition fee rate for that academic year. If you are returning at an earlier point in the academic year than when you started your intermission, or are required to repeat modules, you may be liable to pay repeat tuition fees. For further advice on fee charging, please contact fees@brighton.ac.uk

For further information, see our Tuition Fee Policy in your Student Contract.
If you live in university halls and intermit, you may be able to stay if your rent payments are up to date. If you are going to leave, you must return your keys and complete a termination form (a termination fee applies, as per the halls contract).

If you withdraw, you are required to leave halls. You must return your keys and complete a termination form (a termination fee applies, as per the halls contract).

Get in touch with the Accommodation Office on 01273 644100 or email accommodation@brighton.ac.uk if you have any queries or concerns.鈥�

If you live in private accommodation, contact your landlord or letting agency directly about your options.
Log in to and select “Request to intermit (take a temporary break)” or “Withdraw permanently” under “Your courses”.

Complete the short form explaining your choice and agree to meet your Course Leader.

Your Course Leader will contact you to discuss your request. The Ask 麻豆果冻传媒 service can provide guidance if you don’t hear back within seven days.