Policy on Students Returning to Study
On occasion, exceptional circumstances make it necessary for a student to choose to interrupt their studies for a year or more (intercalation) part-way through their course. Students may interrupt studies for up to two academic years. Should a student on interrupted studies not return to study after two academic years they will normally be withdrawn from their course. Should a student wish to interrupt studies for longer than two academic years they must apply in writing to the Chair of the Assessment Boards.
The College will normally allow students who return within five years of temporary interruption to studies (intercalation) or withdrawal to re-join a course part-way through.
It is important that returning students have currency of knowledge. Students returning after a gap of more than two academic years will normally be required to sit an examination or other assessment to demonstrate the currency of their knowledge. If this is satisfactory they will be allowed to recommence their studies in the course year that they left.
Students on professional training courses who are returning after a break of anything from one to five years will also normally be asked to undertake extra days in clinic in the months preceding their return to classroom study, to refresh their knowledge and understanding.
The College may also require other top-up study such as home-study or tutorial input, on a case by case basis determined by significant changes to the course or concerns about the student’s previous assessments.
If the validating partner has changed, or if the College acquires its own degree awarding powers, a student returning to study will be transferred to the equivalent course validated by either the new partner or the College, using the standard process for Recognition of Prior Learning.
If a student interrupts study and their course is then discontinued, the student may be eligible for refund and/or compensation. See the Refunds and Compensation policy on our website for details.
Students returning after more than five years will normally be required to begin their course again at the beginning.
