Interrupting or withdrawing from your studies
I'm considering leaving the University. What do I need to do?
Deciding whether to continue or leave your university studies is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. While leaving may sometimes be the right choice, it's important to explore all possible avenues before making a final decision. Here are some supportive measures and steps you can take to help you make an informed choice and potentially stay at university:
Self-reflection: Take the time to reflect on your reasons for considering leaving. Is it due to academic challenges, personal issues, or a lack of interest in your chosen field? Identifying the root causes will help you assess whether there are potential solutions or alternatives.
Seek support: Reach out to your academic division (PAT), university support services such as Wellbeing and Mental Health or the University's counselling teams. Discuss your concerns openly and honestly, as they can provide guidance and valuable insights. They may offer suggestions to overcome obstacles and help you make an informed decision.
To make an appointment with a member of the Wellbeing and Mental Health team, please email studentservices@chester.ac.uk.
If you have experienced bullying and harassment, domestic abuse, hate crime, online harassment and/or sexual violence, and would like to access support or to report a concern, please visit Report a Concern for more information, email report@chester.ac.uk or visit InfoPoint (Exton Park campus) to speak to a member of staff. If you have experienced sexual violence or harassment of any form, you can request an appointment with one of our Sexual Violence Liaison Officers.
Connect with peers: Homesickness and isolation can be a contributing factor for wanting to leave university, these feelings are very normal, and common. Engaging with like-minded students through volunteering and peer mentoring can help you connect with others, as can participating in extracurricular activities through student clubs and societies enhance your university experience. These connections can provide a sense of belonging, support, and networking opportunities that may positively impact your motivation to stay.
Careers Guidance: Our Career Consultant team offer personalised and impartial support to help you develop your career ideas, build your skills and experience, and develop your network of contacts which will help you apply for jobs, internships, placements and courses. You can get help with CV writing, applications forms, interview preparation and searching for jobs and internships. Career Consultants can also provide you with valuable guidance on the potential career paths related to your degree and can help you explore opportunities within your field of interest. You can book a 45-minute guidance appointment for help with career planning and a 15-minute Career Chat for help with job searching and applications.
Consider building your skills and confidence outside of your course: Our Careers and Employability team are here to listen and help you. They can suggest different ways you can develop your skills, meet new people and gain experience in the workplace. The team can help you see how your current programme, or any new programme you are considering changing to, is relevant to your personal and professional development. Identifying how you can apply your degree and trying something new, may revive your interest and motivation in your course. It may also help you consider alternative degree courses and inspire new ideas about what you could do next!
Explore academic resources: Our Academic Skills (ASk) team can provide guidance on strengthening the core skills needed for studying at university, such as reading, planning assignments, academic writing, academic conduct, and maths or statistics skills. They work with students across all subjects, at all levels of study and academic attainment. Their resources and support can boost your confidence and help you succeed in your studies.
You can book a one-to-one appointment with an adviser at a time and date that suits you to have an in-depth discussion on a particular skill or discuss feedback you have received on an assignment. You can also use their e-assistance to receive general developmental advice on extracts of your work.
To find out more, please email ASk@chester.ac.uk or visit their Moodle pages, which you can find by clicking on the Training and Skills tile on Portal or by accessing the Academic Skills tab at the top of your module Moodle pages.
Review financial considerations: Opting to leave university may have an impact on your future access to funding should you decide to return to your studies. It's essential to weigh up the financial implications of leaving against the potential long-term benefits of completing your degree.
If financial concerns are playing a big role in your decision to step back from university, don't forget we have a range of support you can access to try and improve your situation.
Head over to the Money Hub to find lots of information and resources to help manage your finances. You can also find out more about the Student Support Fund, which could provide short-term non-repayable financial support to help ease unexpected financial pressures you might be facing.
Consider taking a break or reducing course load: If you're feeling overwhelmed or burned out, discuss the possibility of taking an Interruption of Studies or reducing your course load temporarily. This break can provide you with the necessary time and space to recharge, reassess your goals, and potentially return to your studies with renewed motivation.
For more information, or to arrange an appointment to discuss the Interruption of Studies process in more detail, contact your PAT or Course Leader. Apprentice Learners should speak with their Learner Mentors in the first instance.
Read our leaflet about taking an interruption of studies.
I am thinking about changing my course
If you are thinking about changing course it is important that you contact your PAT or Course Leader to discuss this further. Changing courses can be difficult and is sometimes not possible, particularly if you want to transfer in the same academic year.
If you decide that your current course isn't the course you wish to continue studying you may decide to request to:
- Transfer to a different course within the same subject area
- Transfer to a totally different course within the Division or University
- Transfer to a course at another institution
The transfer may take place immediately or at the end of the current academic year. There may be an option for you to take an Interruption of Studies during the period between ceasing to study your original course and transferring to a new course depending on the time period involved. If you're an undergraduate student and thinking of taking a break in study, please email your PAT or Course Leader for more information.
If you are an international student in the UK on a student visa, there are some further restrictions. In most cases, to change course you would first need to leave the UK and apply for a new visa for the new course. Because of the time it takes to do this, there may be a delay before you can start your new course.
In a few cases, it may be possible to switch course on the student visa you already have. This is only possible if the two courses are closely connected, and if you could complete the new course before your current visa end date.
In either situation, if you are going to pursue a change of course please contact studyvisa@chester.ac.uk at an early stage of the process so we can explain your options.
Entry requirements
If you wish to change course you will still need to meet the entry requirements for any new course and, where relevant, be successful at interview. If you are wanting to change course within the University of Chester check the online prospectus, or contact Admissions for details of entry requirements: email admissions@chester.ac.uk.
Create an action plan: After gathering all the necessary information and exploring alternative options, create a detailed action plan. Outline the steps you will take to address your concerns, improve your academic experience, or pursue alternative paths if necessary. This plan will provide structure and help you stay focused on your goals.
Remember, there is no shame in exploring different paths or making changes. Prioritise your well-being and make choices that align with your passions, goals, and values. Seek support, remain open-minded, and take advantage of the resources available to you.
I want to withdraw from my studies
If you decide that withdrawal from your course is the right decision for you, please book an appointment with your PAT, Course Leader or Head of Division, to arrange for the forms to be signed.
Access the Withdrawal form; please read the guidance notes carefully.
We would also ask you to complete a brief survey to provide more information on the reasons why you are considering withdrawing from the University of Chester. This survey is for information purposes and is only used to inform and improve upon services.
Please note that until you have submitted a signed withdrawal form, you will be deemed to be still attending your course and charged fees accordingly.
Once the forms are completed, they will be used to update your records and the relevant information will be provided to your Funding Provider/UKVI as appropriate.
It is important that you provide the correct last date of engagement with your programme as this will impact on your Student Finance funding and the your fees. This date must be the last date you engaged as a student at the university. Examples may include, but are not limited to, teaching activity (online or face to face), PAT meeting, Programme Leader meeting, assignment submission, or Student Services meeting.
You will receive an email from the University once your withdrawal has been processed.