Postgraduate Withdrawing or Suspending Finance Guide
Information for Home (UK) postgraduates
Fees & Funding Advice
The rules are complex and in some situations the decision of Student Loans Company (SLC) is discretionary.
This information is for guidance only. You should contact us for help and support, or further advice if you are thinking of suspending or withdrawing from your course, so that we can discuss your individual circumstances.
What Happens To My Student Finance?
If you decide to withdraw or suspend (“intercalate”) from your course, there are a number of finance related issues you will need to be aware of, and to plan for.
It is very important that you understand these issues before you make a decision, so that you don’t find yourself in an unexpected situation. It is also vital that you follow the correct procedure to withdraw or suspend – just not attending or not submitting work, does not mean that you have withdrawn.
If you are thinking of withdrawing or suspending, please read more on this dedicated page.
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees will be re-calculated on the following basis:
| Agreed date of withdrawal for Student Finance | Percentage of fee liability |
|---|---|
| After registration and within the first two weeks of teaching | Nil |
| During trimester 1, as indicated on the published academic calendar | 33% |
| During trimester 2, as indicated on the published academic calendar | 66% |
| During trimester 3 (MA only) as indicated on the published academic calendar | 100% |
If you’re thinking about withdrawing or suspending your studies, speak to the Student Funding team first. They can explain how this might affect your finances.
To avoid being charged fees for the next term, you must:
- Formally confirm your withdrawal or suspension.
- Complete the task on MyPortal, go to “My Enrolment Information”, then “Request a Change to my Enrolment”.
- Do this on a working day before the new term starts.
This rule applies to all students, even if you don’t get a tuition fee loan. The Leeds Conservatoire Tuition Fee policy provides full details.
Note that the date of withdrawal or suspension is not necessarily the last date of attendance on a register. Being absent from timetabled sessions does not constitute withdrawal, there is a formal process to go through. If you have been absent from formal classes but are still accessing the facilities or engaging with the services, you are still considered to be registered.
Withdrawal
Withdrawing from your course means you have no intention of returning to the course or resuming your postgraduate studies on this course.
- If you withdraw, you won’t be entitled to any further postgraduate loan payments and Student Loans Company will stop any further payment.
- Any loan payments you received before your last date of attendance, you’re entitled to keep.
- Any loan payments you received after your last date of attendance will need to be paid back to the Student Loans Company.
- Any loan payments you’ve received and are entitled to keep will be paid back as part of your standard repayment agreement.
- Repeat years of study will not be funded unless there are exceptional circumstances (compelling personal reasons – known as CPR), and repeat funding is awarded at the discretion of Student Loans Company.
Suspension
Suspending your course means you are leaving your course, with the intent to return to the same course at a later date.
- Once you’ve suspended your studies, no further postgraduate loan payments will be made until you resume your studies, unless you can submit evidence of compelling personal reasons as to why you need to continue receiving your loan.
- You’ll receive the remainder of the loan payment(s) in the second/third trimesters once you’ve resumed your postgraduate course. However, if you have suspended for two years or more during your course, you’ll only get further loan payments if you can show you have compelling personal reasons for each period of suspension.
Effects on Finance for Future Study
You can’t normally receive more than one postgraduate loan. However, exceptions may apply if you have compelling personal reasons (CPR) for not being able to complete your original degree.
Compelling personal reasons could include medical issues or a personal crisis that prevents you progressing through your degree, you’ll be asked to send evidence to SLC to support this. Student Loans Company will look at each case individually. If a CPR case is approved, you may be entitled to an additional Postgraduate Loan. You will need to be starting a master’s course from the start (it can be the same course) with no credits transferred.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
When you withdraw you become ineligible for the DSA from your date of withdrawal. It is very important you do not order any DSA funded specialist equipment or non-medical help or taxis after your date of withdrawal. If you do SFE could recover the full cost of it from you.
Other Benefits
If you suspend or withdraw from your course you may be able to claim benefits in certain circumstances, for example, if you become ill or take on caring responsibilities. You should contact your local Jobcentre Plus for advice. You can also visit the UK Government website to find out about the benefits that might be available to you.
Council Tax
Suspension – when you suspend your studies you are still registered with Leeds Conservatoire as a full-time student. This means you are exempt from paying council tax, as long as the other adults you live with are also full-time students.
Withdrawal – When you officially withdraw from your studies you will become liable to pay Council Tax and if eligible can apply for benefits.