Should you have a change of circumstances, your visa status may change. Our Advice and Counselling service webpages can explain these implications in-depth.
An interruption, withdrawal and change of programme may change aspects of your immigration permission, so it is vital to get the appropriate advice regarding your process, next steps and any implications to these changes. The Advice and Counselling Service has put together unique webpages covering different scenarios that may be relevant to you, with step-by-step guidance and frequently asked questions regarding all types from re-sitting out of attendance, to interruption and withdrawal.
*The following only applies to those undertaking PhD or MPhil degrees. It doesn't apply to any other types of degree.
Normally, if you are not required to be engaging with your studies for more than 59 days, we are required by the U.K. Government to withdrawn sponsorship of your immigration permission. If you are studying a PhD or MPhil degree and you are interrupting for health reasons, in some exceptional cases, we may be able to allow you to interrupt for a period of longer than 59 days, without withdrawing sponsorship of your Student Visa.
To do this, the Home Office requires that:
If you are expecting a baby, we will allow you to interrupt for up to 52 weeks. For evidence, please provide your MATB1 certificate.
For any other health conditions, we will need to see a letter from a suitably qualified medical practitioner, that confirms:
Following submission of your thesis, we normally expect you to finish your studies within 7 months. The 7 months consists of an assumed 3 months to arrange a viva, 3 months to undertake minor corrections and one month to submit your final bound copy (or electronic equivalent).
We will not be able to continue to sponsor your Student Visa if you have not submitted your thesis and you would have less than 7 months of your Student Visa remaining when you return from your interruption as it would not be possible for you to complete your studies within your current visa. If you would not have 7 months remaining, you will need to obtain an extension of your Student Visa before you interrupt.
During your interruption, you should maintain regular contact with your supervisor(s) – at least once a month. This can be in-person, by email, phone or by Teams, Zoom or FaceTime. We recommend that this contact covers:
Please make sure that your supervisor(s) keep a record of your contact. This just needs to confirm that you have had contact. It does not need to be a transcript of your contact. We may ask for a copy of this record during your interruption. If you supervisor(s) is/are not able to provide this record when requested, we will withdraw sponsorship of your Student Visa.
If you need to interrupt your studies and do not meet the above requirements, we will withdraw sponsorship of your visa if you interrupt for more than 59 days. If you cannot leave the U.K., you should seek advice from a qualified immigration law practitioner on staying in the U.K. on a different basis, not as a student.
Guidance on repeating, interrupting, transferring or withdrawing.