Degree Interruption

[NoKnickerElastic]

I am wondering if anyone might be able to tell me more about requesting a 'interruption'' of degree studies. My DS has just started his second year of study and has struggled with his mental health from the beginning. He is considering requesting a year off to try and get better and more on top of things. We're fully in support of this & accept we will need to take the financial hit of his accomodation if he can't find a replacement. My question is though - at this stage - midway through the first term of Yr2- how does this work? Is this likely to be agreed? What are the implications of student loans? There is varying info online and I wondered if anyone here had been through this. DS isn't currently communicating with us & I can't send him a barage of questions.

He needs to talk to his Tutor asap and explain what’s happening.

They will then talk him through everything; if the course is modular with modules being completed in a single semester it might be that he could keep the credit for any that he completes this semester, meaning less time when he returns, but different unis have different rulea around this so getting his tutor on board to discuss his options is key.

You won’t normally be allowed to have input / see correspondence unless your DA gives specific permission and this is noted on his record so that’s something else for him to do.

Good luck

My Dd did this in her third year. She had to pay fees up to Christmas, and we had to pay for her flat because I wasn’t sure if she would be able to go back or not. In hindsight I’d now advertise it on Spare Rooms or the uni accommodation system - the agent said she could transfer tenancy if she found a replacement.
Student finance sorted out the rest. They gave a little extra to help with expenses.
I’d highly recommend he contacts his tutor and the student welfare department. At DD’s uni, both were brilliant and that really helped a difficult situation. Both, as well as her school’s head Professor, kept in touch throughout her absence.
DD returned a year later after a very difficult time, also MH related, and graduated with a great degree. Now she’s finished she is so much more relaxed and happy.
I wish you and your DS well. Such a worrying time as a parent and so difficult for them with the pressure of having to do well and the heavy burden of finances.

Thanks for your replies. From our brief conversations it sounds like he's already had a discussion with his tutor. Do you know once the ball is rolling how long it might take to agree this? DS's messages are brief ("DW - I understand what I have to do " etc.) but I'm worried he's already stopped attending & this will count against him.. It's such a horrible time for him but this seems to be the most proactive thing he could have done. Fingers crossed. I don't know however if these things are always agreed however.

How quick the process is will vary uni to uni.

his university website should have info on the process?

Has he spoken to university disability and wellbeing services? It's worth knowing what they can offer for when he comes back. Is this a long term difficulty? If so it might be worth applying for DSA when he is back.

Interruption is normally immediate, or certainly is where I work. Student fills out the form online and that’s that. I’m hazy on the finance implications and always advise students to go to the student support centre to discuss and/or ring student finance. You normally can’t have a maintenance loan for the same period (I think). Ie they won’t pay the first term of year two twice unless exceptional reasons. So it might be if he returned in exactly 12 months he wouldn’t get a student loan till Jan so check that. I might be wrong but I’ve certainly had returned students upset about no money.

I think interrupting studies can absolutely be the best thing for a student. Normally there should be a page on the university website explaining the process. A student will usually be told to speak to the student money advice team (this team has different names according to the university) as they are best placed to explain the financial implications.

The advice from Willowskyblue about letting out the accommodation is good.

There shouldn't be much difficulty or delay with the university agreeing to it - nobody can force somebody to study who doesn't want to, and they will want him to take a break and get the help he needs.