Interrupting your studies (formerly 'suspending your studies')

The information on this page explains the process of stopping your studies for a while known as interrupting your studies or academic suspension.

We understand there are many reasons for wanting to stop your course for a while, but before you do, we advise you to talk with your school, LTSO, or supervisor about why you want to interrupt your studies. They may be able to offer help and advice that will allow you to carry on with your studies.

If you don’t want to talk to your School, LTSO, or Supervisor, Student Services will be able to offer you confidential help and advice. You can also speak in confidence to a member of the Counselling Service. 

Interrupting your studies

If you do want to interrupt your studies, you must let us know as soon as possible.

It is important to understand that interrupting your studies will have an impact on your tuition, accommodation fees, and immigration status if you hold a visa.

Student fees

Fees charged to registered students will be calculated based on the date the University is informed of any change in registration. Students should follow the University’s formal procedures for interrupting or withdrawal. Further information can be found at How interrupting or withdrawing will affect your fees 2023/24.

If you are receiving maintenance payments from Student Finance, you will be contacted by Student Finance to request the return of any overpayment of your maintenance loan in line with the liability points of your leave date.  You are strongly advised to discuss this in detail with our Money Advice and Guidance team before finalising your decision.

International students

Any changes to your student status could affect your immigration status in the UK.

The University is required to report any changes in your student status to the UK Home Office and you might be required to leave the UK immediately as your Student Route visa will be curtailed (cancelled).

Further advice on immigration issues can be sought from the International Advice and Guidance team.

If you do decide to suspend your studies and understand the financial and immigration obligations, you will need to follow one of the procedures below:

Interruption of studies form for taught programmes

All schools now use our new interruption of studies online form. 

This means that you will be able to submit your form digitally without the need to print off a paper version. Your submission will then be sent to your School for review. During this process, you will be able to check where your submission is up to using your portal, and you will receive regular emails about any decisions taken on your submission.

Submit an Interruption of Studies form

If your submission has been approved and your studies are paused, you will be asked to contact the University one month before your intended return date to confirm that you will be returning to study. After you have done this, you will be able to confirm your return back on campus using Liverpool Life.

Interruption of studies should be applied for in whole months up to a maximum of one year.

Unable to access the online form

There will be a small number of areas that will not be able to access this online form. For students who try to access the form but receive a notification stating it is not accessible, please contact your department and download the Interruption of Studies Form from the link below and follow the guidance included within the document -

If your submission has been approved, you will also be asked to contact the University one month before your intended return date to confirm that you will be returning to study. After you have done this, you will be able to confirm your return back on campus using Liverpool Life.

Postgraduate research students

Rather than interrupting your studies, you might be able to take academic leave. Your supervisor will be able to offer you more information about academic leave.

If you do want to interrupt your studies, it is important to understand that: 

  • Your registration period will be frozen, which will extend your end date 
  • You do not accrue tuition or bench fees
  • You will not be able to receive supervision
  • You will not have access to University resources or facilities, but you will still have access to your University email account. 

Interrupting your studies

If you are externally sponsored you must get approval from your sponsor before submitting your request for an academic interruption of studies.

Interruption of studies should be applied for in whole months up to a maximum of one year.

Interrupting your studies should be applied for through Liverpool Life. Approval will be sought from your primary supervisor, school, institute or department, Director of PGR, Faculty Director of PGR, and the PGR Student Team.

We will email you with the outcome of your request.

Returning from a period of academic interruption

If you do not resume your studies following a period of interruption you may be deemed withdrawn.

Before returning back to your studies, you will need to:

  • Email pgrs@liverpool.ac.uk and your supervisor to confirm your return to study
  • Complete outstanding Annual Progress Reports
  • Settle any outstanding debt with the University.

Unless you are granted a further period of interruption, you will start to accrue fees from the date you are due back from your interruption.

International students will be expected to produce an original, valid visa and upload it using this form, which demonstrates the right to study in the United Kingdom and with the University of Liverpool. You will be given details of how to do this when you are contacted prior to resuming your study.

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