Time out from University

Reasonable adjustments are integral to many disabled students’ ability to access their education more fully, but it should be acknowledged that they may not solve every problem. Your particular situation may be such that reasonable adjustments would not be enough to remove the barriers that you’re experiencing in trying to access your education and that a proper break from university is the best option to set you up for success when you are ready to return.

Examples for taking time out from university can include:

• New or worsening physical or mental health issues
• Bereavement
• Financial issues 
• Insufficient access arrangements
• Trauma or harassment 
• Other personal or practical reasons

Rather than dropping out and losing the work you’ve already completed, most universities will allow you to take time out for the rest of the academic year, and then restart the year in October or rejoin where you left. The names and rules for this differ between universities: ‘leave of absence’, ‘time out’, ‘rusticating’ (Oxford) or ‘intermitting’ (Cambridge).

It’s best to talk with people like your tutor, director of studies, nurse or doctor if you are considering taking time out. They may be able to offer or direct you towards support such as emergency grants, counselling, learning access arrangements, or explain other options like studying part-time, read more here.

You can also ask other students who’ve taken time out for their experiences and advice – read Georgia’s intermission case study here. 

The process varies between universities, but a good place to find out information is usually your tutor, your university welfare pages, your student union and disability representative(s).

Funding:

You need to be aware of possible financial implications of taking time out. In the UK, the Student Loans Company (who pay your fees) only normally cover one extra year of your course. 

However, you may still be eligible for additional years of funding if you can prove that you took time out for reasons such as ill health, bereavement, caring duties, pregnancy etc. If it was within your control, i.e. you’re re-doing years at university because you didn’t like the last course, you may not get funding: here’s the government guidance on funding. 

Support upon return:

Moving back to university after taking time out can be tricky; you may feel out-of-the-loop and isolated, friends may have graduated and you’ll have to re-adjust to studying full or part-time.

Struggling with this re-adjustment is completely normal. Places to go for support include:

• Support groups for others who’ve taken time out (often on Facebook, try asking your disabled students rep). If your university doesn’t have a group yet, you could set one up!

• Counselling: university life can be a huge adjustment for anyone, and even if you’ve already spent time at university, chances are if you’ve had time out you’ve been dealing with stressful personal situations, so you are completely valid in seeking professional help to deal with it.
• Tutors: making teachers aware of your situation means that if any issues flare up, they will be understanding and will be able to support you.