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If you decide to take a break from your course, this is known as an "interruption of studies". There are two types of interruption:

• Break (if you request the interruption after you have enrolled for that academic year)
• Dormant (if you request the interruption before you have enrolled for that academic year).

Either type of interruption requires approval from your Course Leader.

Please note that interruptions can only be requested before the end of formal teaching of a course. If you are unable to submit end of term assessment or sit examinations then you would normally need to apply for mitigating circumstances, see Mitigating Circumstances Regulations.

It is not possible to interrupt your studies for the reassessment period.

You should consider interrupting your studies if your circumstances are preventing you from fully engaging with your studies, for example you have not been able to attend classes because of illness or personal circumstances. If it is simply the case that you are not able to undertake a particular assessment then you should consider applying for mitigating circumstances.

An interruption of studies is when you take a temporary break from your course with the intention of returning at a later, specified, date. A withdrawal from studies is when you withdraw from your course with no intention of returning. 

The first person you should speak to is your Course Leader, who will be responsible for approving your interruption. Your Course Leader will initially discuss with you the reasons why you wish to interrupt your studies, your last date of engagement, how long you want to interrupt for and when and how you wish to return to your studies. You may also find it helpful to discuss your options with your personal tutor.

You will also need to discuss the financial implications of interruption with the Student Money Advisers. Email them at [email protected]. If you are in the UK on a Student Route visa, you must seek advice by logging an enquiry on the or by emailing [email protected] as interrupting your studies affects your visa conditions. Please see below for specific questions on financial and visa matters. If you are a student on a professional course in the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, interrupting your studies may have implications for your bursary and you are advised to speak to your Course and Student Administration team about this.

Subject to agreement from your Course Leader, you may either be able to:

1) Interrupt your studies for the whole academic year, or
2) Interrupt your studies for part of the academic year.

You can request to:

• restart at precisely the point that you have stopped, carrying forward any assessments that you have already completed OR
• restart at the beginning of the academic year and discount all assessments previously undertaken, with no fee charged.

Please note: normally you can only choose to restart at the beginning of the academic year if this has been requested and approved within the first teaching block for the year or, your course if that starts at a different point in the academic year.

Interruptions can only be agreed for one year at a time, up to a maximum of two years.

You will need to apply to interrupt study using the online system accessed through OSIS.  Before completing the process on OSIS you should have discussed your intentions with your Course Leader and/or Personal Tutor. You should continue to attend until your application has been approved by your Course Leader.

You will not be charged additional fees as a result of interrupting your studies. However, please note that tuition fees will be charged at the rate that is current to the academic year you return in.

When you return to your studies in the following academic year, you will pay any remaining fees due for that level of study. Any payments already made will be offset against the outstanding balance.

If you are considering taking an Interruption of Studies, you should always discuss this first with the Accounts-Receivable team in the Finance Directorate. Tel: 020 8417 3333. Students can raise a query in the Student Hub at or by emailing [email protected].

No, you do not need to apply for Mitigating Circumstances to interrupt your studies. If during an academic year, circumstances arose that prevented you from attending University (mitigating circumstances) and you wish to interrupt, you would normally be expected to return at the same point in the following academic year. If you choose to go back to the beginning of the academic year and start again, all attempts are wiped from your record and you are deemed to be starting from scratch.

The interrupted year will count towards your maximum period of registration for the course. The maximum period of registration for your course can be found in the for your course.

The standard maximum registration periods for each qualification is as follows:

If you are studying for an award not listed above, please check with your Course Leader or Course and Student Administration team whether an interruption will take you over the time limit for your course.

You can request a maximum of two consecutive Interruptions of Study. However, you should note that these will count towards the maximum period of registration for your course. The maximum period of registration for your course can be found in the for your course.

There will be implications for maintenance loans and tuition fee loans if you interrupt your studies. Please contact the Student Money Advisers for further information. Email them at [email protected].

As part of the Interruption process, you will have agreed your return date with your Course Leader. At least one month prior to your agreed return date, you should contact your Course and Student Administration team so they can ensure your student record has been correctly set up. If you do not re-enrol within two weeks of the agreed return date and you have not requested a further interruption of study, you will be withdrawn by the University.

Yes. If you wish to interrupt for a second consecutive year, you can apply for this. If you intend to return but want to make a change to your return date, please speak to your Course and Student Administration team and your Course Leader.

Please note that you are not permitted to submit work for assessments during an interruption of studies.

No, there will be no academic penalty as a result of interrupting your studies.

If you are an overseas student who has a Student Route visa, before applying for an Interruption of Studies you can discuss this with one of our International Student Advisers (immigration) by logging an enquiry on the StudentHUB or by emailing [email protected]. If you interrupt, then the University is legally required to report this to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). An interruption of studies means that you will normally have to leave the UK and apply for a new visa before you can return to your studies.

If you are in University Halls of Residence, please refer to your Halls of Residence Licence to Occupy Terms and Conditions.

If you are in any other accommodation, please speak to a Student Money Adviser for advice.

Please contact your Course and Student Administration team in the first instance using your course/faculty noticeboard (see My Kingston). For general student support enquiries please contact the Information Centre team: My Kingston > Support > Information Centre.

This table provides the full detail of all changes to the University's suite of General and Academic Regulations, Policies and Guidance for 2024/25:

• Removal of the level 3 Foundation Certificate and Foundation Diploma as awards of the University (note that the University delivers a Foundation Diploma which is awarded by Pearsons).
• Addition of the Master in Science (MSci) as an approved award of the University

Clarification for maximum periods of registration

Where an award includes an integrated foundation year, the standard period of course registration may be extended by one course year and the maximum registration period may be extended by two course years.

Periods spent by a student as a Kingston Students' Union elected officer will not count towards the maximum period of registration for their intended award.

Amendment to the postgraduate placement progression regulation

Students must have successfully completed a total of 120 credits from a combination of taught and/or project modules to progress to a professional placement year.

Previously, students had to pass 120 taught credits (this did not include dissertation/ project module credit).

The University Attendance Policy for 2024/5 has been updated to include new guidance on engagement and access to Student Finance. You may lose access to funding if you do not attend classes or engage with Canvas in a significant manner. During this time, the Student Engagement Team will help you create an action plan to support your re-engagement. If you do not follow the plan or improve attendance within 4 weeks, the University may withdraw you from your course in line with its General Regulations.

Visit the page on My Kingston for more information and to access support from the Engagement Team.