Deferring until next year - how to phrase it?

[54isanopendoor]

Hi, quick advice please -
Ds has started Uni at Y2 as a direct entrant from College.
It's been a disaster - the college course didn't in fact articulate to Y2 of Uni one, he was 'left off the list' for direct entry transition arrangements, he got no disabled students arrangements (he has ASD, Dyslexia & Clinical Anxiety)
& was not able to secure accomodation. So, the Uni have been very poor imo.

He now has the option to Defer until next year.
He has to say if he wants to Defer for the same year (2) or start at Year 1.
He plans to learn the course materials (he will still have access) meantime to help him decide which is more realistic (& also if it's the right course for him)
He would also like the chance to perhaps change course (same Dept but this Course Leader has been very unhelpful & he doesn't like the material)
To me, this seems reasonable so we want to ask but not sure how to phrase it?

Also - Qu 2 (sorry)

If he wants to look at other Uni's this year (I think he might!)
is he better to Defer & move if he wants to (assuming UCAS would allow this?) or Withdraw & apply to other places from scratch?
My thought is to Defer so he still has this place if he wants, but is that possible?

Not sure I understand. Has he been offered the chance to restart his current course again either from 1st year or 2nd year but they want him commit now for next year? He wants more time to assess which year entry is best for him or indeed whether another course within same department would be better. If this is the case then why not just be straight up with them and ask them, making sure you know the deadlines for when he needs to decide and the process (fill out a form or UCAS for new course). Plus factor in timings for getting all the support for next year in place for him.

Okay cross post. Check what the difference is between withdrawal and deferral fee wise if he doesn't return to same uni/course. Presume deferral means paying fees for year even if not returning.

Also check if you hold a deferred place you might need to give it up to apply via UCAS for another place.

Might be easier to withdraw (but doubt they will give him access to course materials if he does this).

@SandyIrving sorry if unclear.

He's been offered chance to put off his Semester 1 assessments until resit dates next summer but he's missed most of first 10 weeks teaching (& had 0 support) so he will struggle massively with this option we think as 'catch up' very hard.

OR he can re-start Y2 next year as a Deferral (they are 'not sure' if he can start Y1, we are still waiting for info as the £ goes up ... they'll charge 25% of fees now, 50% from next week, 100% from Xmas anyway whether he leaves or defers)

He would like to keep a place but have some time to decide if Y1 or Y2 is better, or indeed a different course in same Dept (as his Course Leader is so awful)

@SandyIrving I just spoke to Finance & they want their pound of flesh whether he Suspends OR Withdraws so there is no financial incentive to stay.
He didn't like the course (what he did of it ...) & there has been no Disability support & his Course Leader (& personal development tutor) was disinterested.

The only reason to Suspend is so he still has 'a place' (& he could 'read up' in advance & have a much better start (also with his DSA support in place).
But he has found the whole thing really depressing & I must say I agree.

He might be better just leaving & applying elsewhere for next year but the thought of going through UCAS again feels horrible. Can he apply direct to Uni if he has his grades in hand & will they reject him if he's had a false start elsewhere?