Suspending your studies
At Edinburgh Napier, you can request to suspend your studies. This means taking a complete break from your studies for an agreed period, usually for up to one academic year. During this time, your place at the University is held for you on the understanding that you wish to return.
It is your choice to request a suspension of studies. It sometimes helps to take time out to deal with serious issues that may be stopping you studying effectively.
Reasons for suspending your studies
Examples of common reasons for suspension include:
- Health reasons (mental or physical health)
- Extra-curricular opportunities e.g. elite sport, art/music related opportunities
- Employment opportunities/internships
- Financial circumstances
- Military service
A suspension is a temporary pause in studies, while a withdrawal is a permanent departure from the university. We encourage you to explore options to help you continue your studies before resorting to withdrawal.
Before you apply
Before taking any decision to suspend your studies it is important to make sure you are aware of any impacts this decision may have for you. There is university support available to help you consider your options.
University support
Your Programme Leader and Personal Development Tutor
Speak to your Programme Leader or Personal Development Tutor (PDT) in the first instance about suspending your studies, to understand any impact on your studies.
Keep on Track
Our Keep on Track team, based in the Wellbeing & Inclusion service, can support you to navigate suspending your studies.
ENSA Advice
International students
If you hold a student visa, please email the Visa & International Support team at internationalsupport@napier.ac.uk before considering suspending your studies.
A suspension of studies can affect your visa status, so it is crucial to consult with this team for guidance.
Things to consider
The following are some of the issues you should consider before requesting to suspend studies.
Please note that it is your responsibility as a student to check and understand all of the necessary impacts before taking action – the university and ENSA can provide advice, but the final decision is yours.
Fees
To discuss the possible impact of suspension on fees and finance please contact fees@napier.ac.uk for further information.
In relation to payment of fees, current university policy states that students funded by Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS):
- Suspend in the first 4 weeks - no fees are due
- Suspend after 4 weeks of course study - 25% fee due
- Suspend after 10 weeks of course study - 50% fee due
- Suspend after 4 weeks of second semester - 100% fee due
Students considering suspending studies should contact their funding body, e.g. Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), Student Funding England (SfE), Student Funding Northern Ireland (SFNI), Student Funding Wales (SFW), to discuss funding implications.
International students
If you hold a student visa, please email the Visa & International Support team at internationalsupport@napier.ac.uk before considering suspending your studies.
A suspension of studies can affect your visa status, so it is crucial to consult with this team for guidance.
Council tax
If you are considering suspending studies, you should speak to your local authority to understand your entitlement to an exemption from council tax – this may vary by local authority.
University accommodation
If you suspend your studies, you will need to move out of your university accommodation. If this is before your lease end date, you will need to contact your Accommodation Officer to begin the termination process.
Student Accommodation will need confirmation from your Programme Leader that you have suspended your studies, so ask them to email the confirmation directly to accommodation@napier.ac.uk.
An early termination fee may be applicable alongside a 28-day notice period. Your tenancy agreement will have information on any fees that you may be liable for while staying in university accommodation.
For further information contact accommodation@napier.ac.uk
Changing cohort
Remember that if you decide to suspend your studies, it is possible you will return to a different cohort, meaning that you will have new classmates.
Further information
Further information about suspended studies can be found in section 8.4 of Section A: General Regulations. Read more about the student conduct regulations.
This information applies to undergraduate students and postgraduate taught students studying at all campuses, as well as to online students.
These guidelines are not applicable to you if you are a:
- Student studying for the Bachelor of Nursing or Midwifery. You should refer to your programme team for further guidance.
- Research students, who should refer to section 5.3 of Section D: Research Degrees Regulations.
Please note the following:
- You are not allowed to engage with assessments or re-assessments during suspended studies.
- When returning from suspended studies, you must recommence your studies at the most appropriate trimester as agreed with your Programme Leader.
How to apply to suspend your studies
Once you have considered all of the issues carefully, a request to suspend your studies should be made to your Programme Leader or, if you prefer, to a trusted member of university staff in a support role who will then consult with your Programme Leader on your behalf.
Suspension will start from the date of the consultation between you and your Programme Leader. A suspension will be granted for a maximum of one academic year in the first instance. Your Programme Leader will instruct the School Office to process your suspension of studies.
During suspended studies
Learn what university services you can access for support during your suspended studies.
Support services
If you have suspended your studies, you will still be able to access a range of wellbeing and support services, including:
Disability Inclusion
Students with a disability or health condition may be able to access support from the Disability Inclusion team whilst on suspended studies. The extent of help and support available will depend on the student’s individual circumstances.
Students are not entitled to access Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) funding whilst on suspended studies.
Student Funding
Moodle
As a student on suspended studies, you will continue to have access to Moodle, however you will only receive access to the occurrence of the module on which you were initially enrolled.
Please note, you are not allowed to engage with assessments or reassessments during suspended studies.
Computing and Library Facilities
You will continue to have access to computer and library facilities while you are on suspended studies unless you have failed to pay any relevant fees. You will still receive university emails while on suspended studies.
ENSA Advice
Returning to study
Someone from your School will get back in touch towards the end of your period of suspended studies to understand if you are able to resume on your programme. They will normally contact you via your Edinburgh Napier email address, so please check your university email during your period of suspended studies and as you approach your return date.
When returning from suspended studies, you must recommence your studies at the start of the trimester agreed with your Programme Leader.
If you do not feel able to return to your studies, it may be possible to request a further period of suspended studies.
Disability Inclusion
Prior to returning to the University after a period of suspended studies, students with a disability or health condition are advised to contact their Disability Adviser if any specific support requires setting up in advance of a return to studies. To do this, please email disabilityandinclusion@napier.ac.uk.
You should contact your Personal Development Tutor (PDT) in advance of your return to studies to fully understand your academic profile. Your academic profile details what course and modules you are studying and if you have any resits.
Actions to take to suspend your studies
If after reading the information on this page you would like to proceed with suspending your studies, please follow this short checklist:
- Gain support to make your decision e.g. from your PDT or Programme Leader, ENSA Advice, Keep on Track
- If you're an international student, check your visa regulations with the Visa & International Support team
- Check fee implications and consider finances
- Decide on the dates you would like to suspend from and to
- If you're living in university accommodation, speak to your Accommodation Officer about ending your tenancy agreement
- Contact your Programme Leader to officially suspend your studies