Leave of Absence Application Form /

Students may apply for a Leave of Absence using this form in the following circumstances:

a)If you have not passed enough courses or the right courses in 2016/17 and you are not eligible to progress to the next year of your degree, you may have the option of applying for a leave of absence for 2017/18 and returning in May/June 2017 to retake failed examinations (or resubmit failed coursework by23March 2018) without re-attending the relevant course(s);

b)If you wish to take a period out of your studies for other reasons, you may apply for leave of absence for the whole of 2017/18 and return to study in September 2018, or for part of the year, returning at the same point in the following year.

Please complete, save and submit your application as follows:

  1. Discuss your request with your Course Convenor
  2. Save this form to your pc with an appropriate file name including your surname and student reference number (eg Smith John 123456 Leave of Absence application.doc);
  3. Complete the form, ensuring that you provide all the requested information, and resave the form
  4. Sign in to the Student Information Desk (SID) at
  5. Click on ‘Submit an Enquiry’
  6. In the description field enter ‘Leave of Absence request’
  7. From the ‘Choose a Category’ drop down menu select ‘Enrolment: Programme Changes’
  8. In the ‘Add Attachments and Notes’ section click ‘Choose File’ and select the completed Leave of Absence Application Form, then click ‘Add’
  9. Click ‘Submit’ to send your request to the Records team

Leave of absence will not be approved if it would result in the end date of your degree going beyond your time limit for completion. For calculating your time limit, the clock starts when you first joined the School (details in Undergraduate or Postgraduate regulations). Leave of Absence is discretionary and must receive academic approval (by the Programme Convenor) and regulatory approval (by the Registry).

If you are funded by Student Finance you should be aware that they normally fund the 3-4 year duration of your degree plus one repeat year.

Any approved Leave of Absence will take effect from the date that the application form is received in the Registry.

STUDENT DETAILS
Name
Student Reference Number
Degree title and subject(s)
(eg BA Law and Politics)
Year of study in 2016/17
(eg Year 1, Year 2) / Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Last date of attendance at SOAS
Reason for Application
Anticipated Return Date (mmm-yy)

I apply for leave of absence for the academic year 2017/18. I understand that I may not attend classes or receive tuition or supervision during 2017/18.

I have read and understood the guidance notes relating to Leave of Absence overleaf

Signature / Name / Date
ACADEMIC APPROVAL
Name of Programme Convenor
Academic conditions
Signature approving Leave of Absence
Date

Please read these important notes

Before your application can be processed, you must have discussed your situation with the Programme Convenor and obtained their approval. The staff in your Faculty Office or your Year Tutor/Programme Convenor will also be able to advise you on conditions regarding the retake of failed examinations and the resubmission of failed coursework.

If you have not submitted coursework in 2016/17 and have not produced acceptable good cause (such as medical evidence) for non-submission, then you may not submit the missing coursework during your leave of absence in 2017/18 (‘acceptable good cause’ = approved by the Sub-Board of Examiners).

If you are funded by Student Finance you should be aware that they fund the 3 – 4 year duration of your degree plus one repeat year. They do not automatically fund a second repeat year. If Leave of Absence will entail a second repeat year you should seek advice from the International Student and Welfare Advisor.

If you require student entry clearance or leave to remain (a ‘visa’) to study in the UK, leave of absence may affect your permission to remain in the UK. Furthermore, if you are a sponsored student, i.e. you were issued with a CAS by SOAS that you used to obtain your Tier 4 visa, and you decide to stop studying temporarily, the School is required to report your leave of absence to the Home Office and you will be required to leave the UK. You are strongly advised to make an appointment to discuss your situation with the International Student and Welfare Advisor (). Please be aware that you will have to apply for a new CAS before you return.

If your application is granted,

  • Your Leave of Absence will take effect either from the date that the application is received in the Registry, or from the start of the following academic year (where you are applying for a Leave of Absence for the following year));
  • you will maintain reference access to the SOAS Library;
  • no tuition fees are due for a period of leave of absence;
  • you are not eligible for a student loan during the period of the leave of absence;
  • you must ensure that you contact the relevant local authority Council Tax Office for advice regarding your Council Tax exemption. If applicable, you must also inform those you share accommodation with about the change of your status as it may affect any student discount that they have applied for.

You must register for your return year or apply for a further Leave of Absence (with good cause). Failure to do this will result in your withdrawal from SOAS.

Whilst you are on a Leave of Absence your library access is restricted to reference only. To activate this reference access, you will need to take your confirmation email to the Reader Services office in the Library. This access does not include remote access to e-resources, however it is possible that this might be granted on request, depending on individual circumstances – please contact

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