Undergraduate Change of Status Form
Leave of Absence
1. Who to consult with
- Before completing the form, you should discuss your proposed course of action with your personal tutor/other staff in your department/school.
- You may also wish to consult the University's Career Service and/or the Union of Students Advice Centre as appropropriate. General guidance and information is also available via the Student Services Information Desk (SSiD) website on the Help and Support for Students webpage (see link on right)
- If you are in the UK on a student visa your change of status your leave of absence will not be processed until you have spoken to a University immigration adviser. To make an appointment, please email: international.students@sheffield.ac.uk, or visit Student Support and Guidance, Level 6, University House. Please note that the University must report changes in your circumstances to the UKBA, including: changes of programme, leave of absence, withdrawal, failure to attend.
email : international.students@sheffield.ac.uk
2. Financial implications
Please note that a change in status may have significant financial consequences which you are advised to check before making a decision, e.g.
- If you receive any grant/bursary from a sponsor, you may need to repay part of this; if you repeat any part of your studies on your return, you may not receive support towards your tuition fees for that part of the programme. You will not be eligible to apply for a Student Loan while on leave of absence and you may not be entitled to any state benefits, though you could still apply for financial help from the University. If you are responsible for paying tuition fees and your leave will have an impact on payments made/due, your position will be reviewed automatically by the University. (For more information see link to Fee Reduction and Refund Policy on the right)
- Your change of status may impact on tuition fees paid and due, and you may even be entitled to a refund. If you are unsure as to exactly how your change of status may affect your tuition fees, please seek advice from the Student Fees section of Registry Services on 0114 222 1306 or by emailing m.moore@sheffield.ac.uk. Further information is set out in the leaflet Students and Benefits obtainable from the Union of Students Advice Centre or from their website (see link on right).
3. To apply for a period of leave of absence
- Discuss your proposed course of action with your personal tutor/other staff in your department/school.
- You may wish to consult the leaflet Leave of Absence obtainable from the Union of Students Advice Centre or from their website (see link on right). Information is also available via the Student Services Information Desk (SSiD) website on the Help and Support for Students webpage (see link on right).
- Once you have read all the guidance notes, download the Change of Status form using the link in the Downloads box on the right.
- Complete sections 1 and 3 of the form, including all of the dates requested and the reason(s) for your leave of absence.
- If you are applying for leave on medical grounds, you must obtain a medical certificate from the University Heath Service (or another doctor, if you are not registered with the UHS) and submit it along with your completed form. Students in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health should obtain a medical certificate from the Occupational Health Service. If your leave of absence is on medical grounds, you may only resume your studies if you are certified fit to do so by the University Health Service (for more information see link Returning from medical leave of absence on the right)
- If your leave is linked to a change of programme of study, you should also complete sections 2A and 2B of the form (for more information see link to Apply to change details of your programme of study on the right)
4. Submitting the Form - Checklist
- Have you signed and dated the form in section 1 and obtained approval signatures from your department/school in section 5?
- Have you notified Student Finance England (SFE)/equivalent sponsor of the change (if appropriate)?
- Have you attached a medical certificate (if appropriate)?
- If you are applying for leave of absence or notifying a withdrawal, have you notified Accommodation & Campus Services, if you are living in University accommodation?
- Have you contacted International Student Support and Guidance (if applicable)?
When you are satisfied that the Change of Status form is complete, return it to the Student Services Information Desk (SSiD) in the Union Building (postal address: SSiD, The Union of Students, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG).