Changes to study
During your time here at Exeter, your circumstances or interests might change meaning your programme of study may no longer be suitable or you may need to take an interruption from study. You may even need to consider withdrawing from study.
There are options for you to consider and we would strongly encourage you to discuss your situation with your Pastoral Mentor and/ or Academic Tutor, your Hub/Education Support Information Point, or the Students' Guild/Students' Union to ensure you have considered all implications and requirements before committing to any changes.
Below you will find information, useful contacts and a video guide on how to request changes to your study.
Your options are:
Change of programme
If you are unhappy with your chosen programme of study, you may be able to request to change your programme of study. Please note that all changes are subject to approval and are not guaranteed. Approval depends on several factors including but not limited to fulfilment of entrance requirements, compulsory modules, and availability.
You can:
- Add or remove a study year abroad, industrial experience or professional placement
- Change to another programme (provided you fulfil entrance requirements and/or compulsory modules)
Interruption of studies
An interruption of study means a pause in academic work for a specified period of time. You may need to take an interruption if you are experiencing personal, medical or other difficulties that are impacting on your studies or if you just need to take some time to consider your future options.
Withdrawal from study
You can withdraw from your studies at any time or any reason, such as if University doesn't feel right for you at the moment or if you want to transfer to a different institution.
Advice on changes to study
Depending on your circumstance there can be a number of consequences when making changes to your study.
The information below will allow you to seek the correct support.
Why would I change programme?
A change of programme is appropriate if you want to remove or add a study year abroad, a placement year, or a year in industry; or you may not be enjoying your current programme if your interests and academic skills are moving in a different direction. Whatever the reason for considering a change of programme there are a number of implications that you will need to consider.
Completing a change of programme form
Once you have considered all of the information below and you are still satisfied that this is the correct decision, please complete the formal Change of Programme form through SID Online. You will find a video guide on completing this in the website above.
Once you have completed the form it will pass through a number of approval routes before being passed to Student Records for processing. Your change of programme is not completed until you have received confirmation it has been processed. If approval is halted at any stage you will be contacted to discuss the reasons and to review your options.
Entry requirements and programme capacity
Anyone wishing to change programme of study are required to meet the relevant entry requirements and/or having passed pre-requisites of the programme before being approved to change to the programme.
Entry requirements and module specifications can be found online and we would advice undertaking research on the programme before making your decision to change: Programmes of study
Your change of programme form will be sent to admissions for checking as part of the approval process. You will be contacted by your Hub/Education Support Information Point if you are not able to study on your chosen programme.
Some programmes also have strict limits on the numbers of students who are able to study in an academic year. To determine whether there is space on the programme please discuss with your academic/personal tutor who can help.
Please also note that it is not possible to change your programme past week two of term one if it involves changing the modules you are currently enrolled on, as per the guidance in the TQA.
Student finance and funding
Depending on your level of study there may be a different fee associated with programme of study you wish to change to. Please review the Student Fees tuition fee pages for details on programme charges.
If you are in receipt of funding from a government funding body (i.e. Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland), there may be implications on your loan entitlement if you change study. We strongly advise you research with your funding body whether changes to your programme of study will impact on any funding entitlement. This is particularly important if you are changing the length of your programme. You can also contact the Students' Guild / Students' Union to discuss any funding implications.
If you are in receipt of UK student funding Student Records will notify the relevant authority of any changes to your programme of study.
International students
If you are studying on a Student / Tier 4 Visa, your Change of Programme request must be approved by the International Student Support team. In some cases changing programme will affect your current visa. Please visit the International Student Support pages for advice or contact them by email (visaadvice@exeter.ac.uk).
Academic debt
In order to change programme, you will need to ensure all outstanding invoices are paid. A change of programme will not be processed if you currently have an outstanding academic related debt greater than £100 (tuition fees, library fees, resit fees, field trips or bench fees). Your completed form will be closed as unprocessed and you will be notified that the change cannot be processed. You will then be responsible for initiating the request again, once your debt is cleared.
Programmes requiring police checks or self-declaration forms
The following undergraduate programmes may require police checks/self-declaration forms.
- BMBS Medicine
- BSc Medical Imaging (Diagnostic Radiography)
- BSc Applied Psychology (Clinical)
- MSci Nursing
If police checks are required as a condition of entry to this programme and you have lived outside the UK for a continuous period of more than 6 months at any point during the last 5 years then you will be required to complete police checks or equivalent to cover the time spent in these countries.
For further information regarding police checks or self-declaration forms prior to joining a programme please see visit our DBS website
Further advice
You can also seek advice from:
Students’ Guild Advice Unit (Exeter Campuses) email advice@exeterguild.com
FXU Advice Service (Cornwall Campuses) email info@thesu.org.uk
Why would I interrupt my studies?
An interruption of study means a pause in academic work for a specified period of time. You may need to take an interruption if you are experiencing personal, medical or other difficulties that are impacting on your studies or if you just need to consider your future options. On considering an interruption it is important that you understand all implications of this decision and have explored the available support options.
Regulations of interruption
You will need to agree with your Faculty your "last date of attendance". This will be last date of your engagement with study (whether that is online study or in person classes) and this should not be a date in University vacation periods or during periods of assessment.
You should not be backdating your last date of attendance beyond 4 weeks prior to you completing the form unless in exceptional circumstances that may be supported by the wellbeing team or your Faculty.
Access to your IT account and Library resources will be retained during your interruption of study but you should not be studying during this period. This makes it easier for you maintain contact but contact from the University will be limited to essential information or a request for you to confirm your intention to return.
Interruptions of study are ordinarily granted for a minimum of 1 term and up to 1 year in the first instance. You can request a further year of interruption if the situation requires but a new form and approvals will be required. The maximum period of interruption across the duration of your programme cannot exceed 2 years unless in exceptional circumstances.
Your return to study date will ordinarily reflect the point at which you interrupted study and will not include a repeat study. Discussions of your return to study date should take place with your personal/academic tutor or your Hub/Education Information Support Point.
Further details on the principals of interruption can be found in the TQA Manual
Completing an interruption form
Once you have considered all of the information below, please complete the formal interruption form through SID Online. You will find a video guide on completing this in the website above.
Once you have completed the form it will pass through a number of approval routes before being passed to Student Records for processing. Your interruption is not completed until you have received confirmation it has been processed.
Where can I get support?
If you are struggling with your studies or with University life there is support information available to help you: Wellbeing and Widening participation
We would strongly advise that you have discuss your situation with your Pastoral Mentor and/ or Academic Tutor so they can offer any academic support.
Accommodation
Exeter
If you are living in university owned, managed or approved accommodation and you interrupt your studies then you will need to vacate your accommodation within seven days of your last date of attendance, as stated on your interruption form. Please contact the Accommodation Office and advise them of the date you will vacate your room and they will notify your reception. Please refer to the Moving Out information on the accommodation website prior to your departure, paying close attention to all requirements of vacating your accommodation.
There will be charges to terminate your accommodation contract earlier that your contracted date. You will find the cancellation charges in the accommodation website
Cornwall
If you are living in Glasney Student Village, Packsaddle Hill or Tuke House should contact the Cornwall Accommodation Office to discuss requests to vacate the property.
There will be charges to terminate your accommodation contract earlier that your contracted date. You will find the cancellation charges in the accommodation website
Private halls or landlord owned accommodation
Please contact your private halls provider or landlord/letting agency directly to determine any implications of an interruption of study.
Student Fees and funding
Your tuition fees are determined on your agreed last date of attendance. You will find information about tuition fee charges in the Student Fees website
If you are in receipt of funding from a government funding body (i.e. Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland), there may be implications on your loan entitlement if you take a break in your studies. We strongly advise you research with your funding body what impact an interruption of study will have on your current funding and any future funding entitlement. For those in receipt of UK Student Funding you can find information on their website: Student Finance.
You can also contact the Students' Guild (Exeter) / Students' Union (Penryn) to discuss any funding implications.
If you are in receipt of UK student funding Student Records will notify the relevant authority of any changes to your programme of study.
International Student Support
If you are an international student stuyding on a Tier 4/Student visa there will be implications on your visa if you decide to interrupt your studies. You are required to discuss your decision with the International Student support office. Please visit the International Student Support pages or contact them by email (visaadvice@exeter.ac.uk)
Students' Guild / Students' Union support
Before making a decision to interrupt from your studies, we strongly advise you to discuss your decision with the Students Guild Advice team (Exeter) or the Students' Union Advice team (Penryn) to ensure you can be satisfied you understand all the implications of this decision and you have accessed all relevant support information
Why would I withdraw from my studies?
There may be a number of reasons that you are considering withdrawing from your study. You may not feel University is right for you at the moment, you may want to move to another University or you may be experiencing personal, medical or other difficulties that are impacting on your studies.
When you withdraw from study you cease being a student of the University and as such it is important that you have explored the available support options and understand all implications of this decision to be satisfied that this is the correct decision for you or whether an interruption of study is a more suitable option.
Regulations of withdrawal
You will need to agree with your Faculty your "last date of attendance". This will be last date of your engagement with study (whether that is online study or in person classes) and this should not be a date in University vacation periods or during periods of assessment.
You should not be backdating your last date of attendance beyond 4 weeks prior to you completing the form unless in exceptional circumstances that may be supported by the wellbeing team or your Faculty.
Your student IT account and all University resources will end once your withdrawal has been processed and you will no longer have access to your email address, one drive or saved files. It is your responsibility to contact the library to clear your library record before withdrawing.
Completing a withdrawal form
Once you have considered all of the information below, please complete the formal withdrawal form through SID Online. You will find a video guide on completing this in the website above.
Once you have completed the form it will pass through a number of approval routes before being passed to Student Records for processing. Your withdrawal is not completed until you have received confirmation it has been processed.
Where can I get support?
If you are struggling with your studies or with University life there is support information available to help you: Wellbeing and Widening participation
We would strongly advise that you have discuss your situation with your Pastoral Mentor and/ or Academic Tutor so they can offer any academic support.
Accommodation
Exeter
If you are living in university owned, managed or approved accommodation and you withdraw from your studies then you will need to vacate your accommodation within seven days of your last day in attendance, as stated on your withdrawal form. Please contact the Accommodation Office and advise them of the date you will vacate your room and they will notify your reception. Please refer to the Moving Out information on the accommodation website prior to your departure, paying close attention to all requirements of vacating your accommodation.
There will be charges to terminate your accommodation contract earlier that your contracted date. You will find the cancellation charges in the accommodation website
Cornwall
If you are living in Glasney Student Village, Packsaddle Hill or Tuke House should contact the Cornwall Accommodation Office to discuss requests to vacate the property.
There will be charges to terminate your accommodation contract earlier that your contracted date. You will find the cancellation charges in the accommodation website
Private halls or landlord owned accommodation
Please contact your private halls provider or landlord/letting agency directly to determine any implications of leaving your accommodation early in the event of your withdrawal from study.
Student Fees and funding
Your tuition fees are determined on your agreed last date of attendance. You will find information about tuition fee charges in the Student Fees website
If you are in receipt of funding from a government funding body (i.e. Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland), there may be implications on your loan entitlement if you withdraw from study. We strongly advise you research with your funding body what impact withdrawal of study will have on your current funding and any future funding entitlement. For those in receipt of UK Student Funding you can find information on their website: Student Finance.
You can also contact the Students' Guild (Exeter) / Students' Union (Penryn) to discuss any funding implications.
If you are in receipt of UK student funding Student Records will notify the relevant authority of your withdrawal once it has been processed.
International Student Support
If you are an international student studying on a Tier 4/Student visa there will be implications on your visa if you decide to withdraw from your studies. You are required to discuss your decision with the International Student support office. Please visit the International Student Support pages or contact them by email (visaadvice@exeter.ac.uk)
Students' Guild / Students' Union support
Before making a decision to withdraw from your studies, we strongly advise you to discuss your decision with the Students Guild Advice team (Exeter) or the Students' Union Advice team (Penryn) to ensure you can be satisfied you understand all the implications of this decision and you have accessed all relevant support information.
What do I need to do first?
Confirm to Student Records your intention following your period of interruption. You will be emailed by Student Records approximately 8 weeks before your expected return date to ask you to confirm your intentions.
If you are returning from a medical interruption you will be asked to complete a medical self-assessment form that confirms that you are able to return to study.
Students in the categories listed below will be offered an enhanced return from interruption and are required to completed a medical self-assessment form AND provide a medical certificate confirming you are fit to return to study.
- Prior to interruption you were supported by Health,Wellbeing Support for Study (HWSS) procedure at Level 2 and above and/or Fitness to Study processes
- You were interrupted under section 4 of the HWSS procedure (Emergency Action) and/or
- You have been informed that it will be necessary for you to demonstrate your fitness to return to study
- You are registered on programme regulated by a Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB). This will enable the University to ensure that you meet any requirements of the PSRB with regard to fitness to study
The link to the self-assessment form will be sent to you by email once you have confirmed your intention to return.
If your interruption was not under medical grounds you are required to respond to the email with your intention to return.
How do I register on my return?
If you are returning from a medical interruption you will be sent details of how to register once you have completed your self-assessment form and/or provided a medical certificate and received support from your Education Welfare Advisor.
If you are returning from a non-medical interruption you will be emailed with registration details following confirmation of your return to study.
If you have any difficulties you can contact the Student Records team on interruptionreturn@exeter.ac.uk
What happens with my tuition fees when I return?
You may find the information in the Student Fees website useful and if you have any questions relating to your fees or funding you can contact the Accounts Receivable or Student Funding teams through SID Online : Student Fees
If you are in receipt of a tuition fee loan from Student Finance/Student Loan Company your attendance and registration can only be confirmed once you have completed online registration on your return.
If you have any difficulties in paying for your fees please contact the Accounts Receivable team or the Students' Guild / Students' Union can provide advice and support.
Who do I talk to about my Tier 4/Student visa or need International student support?
If you are returning to Exeter you may need to make arrangements for a new visa. The International Student Support team can support you with any visa needs
What support will I receive on my return?
Wellbeing and accessibility
All students returning from an enhanced medical interruption are offered a return to study meeting with your Education Welfare Advisor. You will be contacted to arrange a convenient time. The meeting will ensure any necessary support is put in place.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss any support that the University may be able to offer to assist you with your wellbeing and study. You may wish to think about what support may be helpful in advance. You may also benefit from support via the Health, Wellbeing Support for Study (HWSS) procedure and your Education Welfare Advisor may discuss this with you. The HWSS meeting is a confidential and supportive process to further discuss any personal and academic support needs.
To assist with your return to study, you may benefit from accessing support from the Wellbeing team to discuss any support needs including any transfer of care requirements.
Further details of Wellbeing and Welfare support available can be found online: Student Wellbeing
You may also benefit from having an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) in place. This can be discussed at the return to study meeting with the Education Welfare Advisor. If you already have an ILP this may be a good time to update it: Individual Learning Plans
Student carers
If you are a parent or carer you will find support and guidance online: Student carers
There is also a supportive network available offering informal drop in sessions for staff and postgraduate students, providing a space to catch-up and an opportunity to discuss relevant issues. Networks are available at both Exeter and Penryn campuses: Carers network
Widening participation support
All students returning from interruption can get support for their education and support needs. The network of support teams, guidance and advice can be found online: Widening participation support
How do I access a GP/medical care?
If you are not registered with a GP you are encouraged to register one in the local area: Exeter Health Centre | Penryn Health and Doctor surgeries