Time off from university

Whether you are experiencing academic, financial or personal problems, time away from university may be just what you need.

This could take the form of a short, informal break – a weekend away or a relaxing afternoon – or an official, extended period of absence, which is known as intermission.

Whatever your reasons for needing some time off, we highly recommend that you keep in touch with course staff. They are a source of support and advice – academic or otherwise – and may be able to grant you an extended deadline for your work if that would help your situation.

We've provided some guidance below, but you should contact Student Services or your course leader, personal tutor or SSGT if you are considering time away from university so that we can provide one-to-one advice and support.

Aerial photo of Brighton.

Talk to us if problems are affecting your work

How do I intermit?

If you eventually decide to spend time away from the university, you must submit a written application to your course leader that explains your reasons for intermitting. If they accept your application and allow you to intermit, the school office will work with Academic Services to ensure that your student record and transcripts are prepared, and you will be free to leave the university.

The dates of intermission will vary according to your individual needs, course and stage of study, but they usually begin at an appropriate stage in the academic calendar, for example at the end of a module, term or semester.

What if I am an international student?

You can still intermit if you are an international student, but if you have a Tier 4 visa, the university would have to report your decision to the UK Home Office.

The UK Home Office would then usually cancel your visa, prohibiting you from staying in the country during your intermission period. You would therefore need to apply for a new Tier 4 visa before restarting your studies.

You should contact the International Student Advisers in the Student Advice Service for advice about this at internationaladvice@brighton.ac.uk or by completing a visa enquiry form.

How will intermission affect my student finance?

If your application to intermit is granted, you will need to inform your funding provider – for example, Student Finance England (SFE) – as soon as possible. We recommend that you speak to a student adviser to make sure that you have all the support and advice you need, as financial issues can be complex when it comes to intermission and vary according to individual circumstance.

Student loan

You will not be liable to pay council tax, but you will be asked to repay some of the student loan and grant that you were eligible for when you began the course. You would cease to be entitled to student funding from your last recorded date of attendance, so you would be asked to return the surplus of that which you have already been given.

For example, if you intermitted from your course at the end of the Autumn term and were attending right up until the last day of that term, you would be asked to return the money that was intended to cover you for the vacation period. The Student Loans Company would write and ask you to repay it within seven days, but you could contact them to negotiate a realistic payment plan.

If you intermit on health grounds and are funded by SFE, you are automatically eligible for 60 days of additional funding. However, in order to receive this funding you must request it and provide appropriate medical evidence. If you remain unable to work and require funding beyond the 60-day period, you can apply to SFE for discretionary funding.

Tuition fees

If you withdraw at some point during the academic year, you will be liable for tuition fees for all or part of that year. The percentage of the tuition fee that you are charged depends on when you leave the course: term one (25%), term two (50%) or term three (100%).

Disabled Students' Allowance

Students receiving Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) will have this funding withdrawn. You will not generally be entitled to welfare benefits unless you have already had entitlement.

For more information on:

  • the university’s bursaries, contact bursaries@brighton.ac.uk

  • NHS student bursaries, contact your school office or the NHS Student Bursary Team on 0300 330 1345 or 0191 279 0570

  • Training Bursaries, contact your school office

  • external postgraduate funding, contact your respective funding provider.

Would I still have access to university facilities?

Access to university facilities may vary across departments. You can continue to use the Students' Union, access libraries and studentcentral, and access support from Student Services. Under exceptional circumstances you would still be able to access our counselling services.

For more information on this issue, contact the university’s Academic Services on 01273 642878 or at studentadministration@brighton.ac.uk.

What if changes were made to my course during intermission?

If changes are made to your course during your intermission period, they are likely to be small and beneficial, for example, a new module may become available. 

However, it is your responsibility to stay up to date with information about your course, and the best way to do so is to keep in contact with your course leader. They can inform you of any changes to modules, assessments, course titles or awards.

What happens at the end of the intermission period?

When your time away from Brighton is coming to a close, your school will contact you with confirmation of your end-of-year results and details of how to re-access your computer account. You will then need to activate your account and enrol with the university via Student View.