To ask for help wording this email?

[QuestionableMouse]

I've been offered and accepted a place on a MA in a uni on the other side of the country.

Due to a few reasons, I can't actually take it and need to let the uni know but I don't know how to word it! I'm absolutely gutted too because I really wanted to do the course.

It's basically financial - I needed to work for the full summer to get enough of a cushion financially and I haven't been able to do that.

I'm also uncomfortable with the idea of being four or five hours away from my family in this current situation in case anything happens. (My mum is disabled and I do a lot for her currently. She fell a few weeks ago and I was the one who sorted it because my dad doesn't cope well, for example.)

Any ideas please?

Thank you

I would just be honest OP, there isn't anything wrong with dropping out before the course commences, people do. There are sometimes stipulations of when you need to let them know by, so I would do it today. If you are happy to outline the reasons briefly it might keep the door open in case you would like to pursue the course another time, rather than if you just say you don't want to do it.

Would you not first ask if you can defer your place?

Yes, ask if you can defer. You don't know where you'll be next year and you might be able to take it up then.

Just be honest and explain that due to financial and caring responsibilities, you are no longer in a position to take up the offer.

Can you defer?

Many courses allow students to defer their entry for a year. Check with the uni about the deferral process - it may not even require an email, sometimes you just log into your uni account and push a button.

I'd also check if they have any financial assistance. Without knowing the ins and outs of your circumstances sometimes there are bursaries etc available so worth asking

Dear Uni,
This is to inform you that unfortunately I am unable to take up my place on X course.
Regards
QM

You don't need to go into detail unless you want to.

Thanks. I've got a place on another MA at my current uni which I'm happy to do (it's almost half the cost too, which is a big help!)

I don't want to defer as I found getting back into education a real struggle (mature student) so would rather continue on this year.

Many degrees are going to be delivered online - with perhaps a few weekend/midweek attendances over the year. I’d check with the uni whether they expect you to be on campus, because if not you may still be able to do it’s only from a distance. You could also enquire about fees and support. I know many will provide some opportunities for financial support.

Is it possible to ask to defer for a year?

Otherwise I’d just thank them for offering you the place but say that your financial and personal circumstances have unfortunately changed due to the pandemic so you need to decline the place. And maybe ask if there’s anything else they need you to do.

I agonise over this sort of thing too so I sympathise. But I’m sure you won’t be the only one needing to drop out of a course because things have changed so much in the last few months.

take the place at your current uni, its obviously closer and cheaper :)
Let us know what you decide :)

I have been in touch with them about financial support and was just referred back to a page on the website that talked about the single scholarship they do, which is only awarded to a very small number of students. Most of the funding seems to go to undergraduates which isn't helpful in my situation 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

Dear Admissions Officer, Other Uni,

I am writing to inform you that I will no longer be able to take up my place on the MA course in September, owing to financial issues.

I am grateful for the opportunity offered.

Yours sincerely,

@QuestionableMouse.

I would start with. “ Dear Sir/Madam

I’m really struggling to write this email as I was very much looking forward to taking up my place on the MA course in the autumn. However I am now unsure as to whether I can or not since Covid has caused some issues for me. I am wondering if there is any help available to allow me to continue this year, if I could defer or if I need to sadly drop out. The circumstances include:

1. I have some considerable financial worries and am not sure if eg a hardship fund or part time work within the uni infrastructure could help here?
2. Due to the current situation I have become somewhat of a default carer to my disabled mother as no one is able to help my father care for her. I am not sure if the university will be doing online/distance learning initially rather than on campus (as I understand some other unis are) but they live in x (5 hours from the uni) so I am concerned about this.

It would be good to know what help is available and how learning will be structured or if it would be possible to defer before I make a decision on whether I can take up my place.

Kind regards
Name”

Just read your update. Go to your local uni. Seems better and use the person above mine’s wording.

Oh if you've got an alternative you don't even need reasons. Unless you've been personally chatting with someone and it feels rude, you just have to say what sdtg said.

Thank you all. No, had no personal communication with anyone from the uni.