During your studies, you may experience circumstances which can have a significant impact, such as illness, personal or family problems.
You may need to change your study arrangements on a temporary or permanent basis, for example, changing or leaving your course.
We’re here to support you. Read on for advice and guidance on what to do in these circumstances.
This information is for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students only. Postgraduate research students should consult the Change of Circumstances page in Guidance for PGR students.
Advice and Guidance
As a first step, we would encourage you to liaise with your school/tutor/degree programme director (DPD) about any change, so that all of your options can be discussed before a decision is made. You can also get support from the Student Wellbeing Service. The Careers Service can provide impartial and confidential advice if you are thinking about transferring or leaving your course.
Contact us
The Student Data Team process changes in students' circumstances - you can contact the team at student-registration@ncl.ac.uk.
If you have been ill or unable to study for more than three working days, you should complete an Absence Request Form and return the completed form to your academic unit or tutor / supervisor as soon as you can return to your studies.
The Absence Request Form should also be used for other absences, eg time away from the University for personal reasons.
You can find more information and the Absence Request Form at:
If your studies or ability to complete assessments is being seriously affected by unforeseen and unavoidable personal extenuating circumstances, including illness, you should advise your academic unit by completing the Personal Extenuating Circumstances (PEC) Form so that appropriate adjustments can be considered.
Please see the PEC webpage for more information and the PEC forms.
If you have a disability or long term illness that requires adjustments, please contact the Student Wellbeing Service. They will be able to assess your needs and recommend appropriate support
To get in touch with the Student Wellbeing Service, please email:
If you have a temporary disability that you believe will impact on your performance in your exams, you can apply for a short-term adjustment for the exam period.
You can find more information on the Exams web page.
If you want to leave the University on a temporary basis and you intend to return to the same or alternative degree programme, please speak to your Tutor/Degree Programme Director about interrupting your studies before completing a DPD Request Form (PDF: 418KB).
There are some implications of interrupting your studies for your student loan – for more information, please visit the Student Financial Support website.
If you’re absent from your course and haven’t informed your school that you will be absent, you may be classed as ‘Presumed Withdrawn’ and your school may begin the Presumed Withdrawn Procedure.
If you’re an international student, please see our [Student Attendance and Absence Management webpage] [add new link] for more information.
If you decide to withdraw from the University on a permanent basis, please complete the Student Withdrawal Questionnaire (Web Form), with your personal tutor where possible.
