Taking a Break from Studies: A Practical Guide

Students may find that during their studies, they feel unable to study temporarily. They may wish to take some time away from their studies, and may wish to pick up where they left off once they are ready to return to their course. This is known as an ‘interruption of studies’, or a ‘leave of absence’.

We have created a guide outlining what a ‘leave of absence’ is, information on funding available during a leave of absence, and other impacts you should be aware about. This guide is for students, staff, and their scaffolding of support to use together.

There are many reasons why a student may wish to interrupt their studies:

• Medical reasons, including physical and mental health concerns
• To pursue employment; be that as work experience or due to financial circumstances
• A short term period where you might not be able to fully engage with your studies; such as an increase in caring responsibilities, or involvement in legal proceedings
• Or any other personal reasons
• Please note that universities will have their own guidelines on valid circumstances, please check with your institution as early as possible when you are considering pausing your studies.

Our corporate parenting duties outline that colleges and universities are to support care experienced students throughout their educational journeys, including times when they are not fully able to engage with their studies.

This will increase the likelihood of the student re-engaging at a later date. There are many unintended implications of a student having to withdraw from their studies due to personal circumstances, including but not limited to fees and funding implications, housing costs, and lack of pastoral support. An interruption of studies can be a mechanism to ensure a student continues to receive funding, receive support from their institution, and increase the likelihood of re-engaging and succeeding in education.

Please note this guide is for:

• Higher Education students, in receipt of either SAAS or the Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery Bursary.
• It refers to policies applicable in Scottish colleges and universities
• If you are self-funded or funded by a body out with Scotland but studying within Scotland, you are still eligible for a leave of absence, but funding advice may vary.
• Please note that whilst this document offers advice for students funded by SAAS, all students can ask to pause their studies at their institution. You should speak directly to your institution and your funding body about your circumstances.

Relevant webpages and policies:

• Approved Absence – Funding Guide – SAAS
• If you’ve studied before – SAAS
• Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery – SAAS – Funding

Are you studying at one of our partner institutions? You can find more information here:

• University of Edinburgh
  • Here, we call it an ‘authorised interruption of studies’. You can read more about it here: Interruptions of study | Academic Quality and Standards | Student Administration
• Heriot Watt University
  • Here, we call it a ‘temporary suspension of studies’. You can read more about it here: Temporary suspension of studies | Heriot-Watt University
• Edinburgh Napier University
  • Here, we call it ‘suspending your studies’. You can read more about it here: Suspending your studies – Edinburgh Napier University
• Queen Margaret University
  • Here, we call it a ‘deferral’. You can read more about it here: Student Deferral Procedure | Queen Margaret University
• The Open University
  • Students should speak with Student Support, as funding arrangements and the type of qualification or study vary by nation. You can read more about it here: Changing your study plans: Deferrals, Withdrawals and Cancellation 
  • Sign into your OU student account to get further support from the Help Centre here.