Interrupting your Studies

If you are considering requesting an interruption to your studies you should seek the advice of the Central School SPS team at your earliest opportunity who will discuss your options with you and support you through the process. Please also see:

It is the expectation of the MBChB Programme and the University that you will complete your Programme in one continuous period of uninterrupted study. It is understood, however, that you may encounter exceptional personal difficulties or situations which may seriously disrupt your studies (see Appendix 1 in Guidance for Students for examples of such situations). In such instances, you may be granted a temporary interruption to your studies at the discretion of the MBChB Student Progression Committee (SPC), which manages interruptions on behalf of the Programme. In reaching a decision about such an application, the Student Progression Committee (SPC) may take into account whether you have previously been granted an interruption and/or your academic record since joining the University.

Wherever possible, you should apply for an interruption before it is due to start. This would be the expectation for certain predictable medical circumstances such as scheduled surgery. However, some interruptions are not predictable and you may need to ask for them after difficulties have already come to light. Retrospective applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and with a credible and compelling explanation for late application.

If you are applying to interrupt your studies part-way through an academic year, you should ensure you follow the MBChB Programme regulations, including (but not restricted to) those concerning attendance, assessments and mitigation, until your status on the Programme has been confirmed.

You should normally have not taken any assessments or should have completed all assessments for a particular year of study before requesting a period of interruption. In exceptional circumstances, you may request to interrupt your studies part-way through the year; however you should be aware of the impact this will have on your progression through the Programme.

If an application to interrupt your study is approved by the SPC, it would normally be to help you to recover from medical problems, or problems of a personal or financial nature which are having, or may have, a negative impact on your performance. The SPC will also consider to which year of the Programme you should return following a period of interruption, which assessments you should take and whether they will be taken at first or second attempt (if appropriate). You will be informed of these decisions in writing by the Secretary to the SPC, who will also notify relevant members of the MBChB Programme, including the Central School SPS Team.

Interruptions will usually be for up to one complete academic year and will not usually involve any repeat of a period of study. If your circumstances are not sufficiently rectified and you wish to extend this period of interruption, you must submit a new Interruption Request detailing your reasons and including updated supporting evidence before the start of the next academic year and as detailed in your letter from the SPC. Your circumstances and progression through the Programme will be reconsidered by the SPC and your request will either be approved or an exit award issued, as appropriate. If your application for interruption is declined, you have a right to appeal against this decision. In this instance, you will be advised to refer to the University’s Academic Appeals Procedure (General regulation XIX).

Prior to the expected date of your return, you will meet with the Central University SPS team who will support you through your return to the Programme, including making onward referrals to the University’s Occupational Health Service and to the Disability and Advisory Service (DASS), as appropriate.

The University of Manchester’s policies on tuition fees and access to facilities during interruptions will apply. You are responsible for finding out the impact of your interruption on any funding or sponsorship.

If you are a studying on a Student visa, the University is legally required to report to the UK Visas and Immigration any interruption of studies of over 60 days. International students should, therefore, contact the Student Immigration Team in the Student Services Centre to discuss the consequences of taking an interruption.

If you are in receipt of the NHS Bursary, the school will inform the NHS Business Services Authority of your interruption and your payments will be stopped for the duration of your interruption. On your return, the school will inform the NHS Business Services Authority so payments can be reinstated. It is the student’s responsibility to apply for the NHS Bursary as in previous years prior to the start of the academic year.

In summary – The actions you should take:

  • You should meet with the Central School SPS team at your earliest opportunity; the SPS team will discuss your options and support you through the process.
  • If you wish to request to interrupt your studies, you must submit an Interruption Request Form detailing the reasons for requesting an interruption and include independent supporting evidence (for example, a letter from your GP). Please note that SPS filenotes cannot be used as supporting evidence for your application.
  • Your request will be considered by the Student Progression Committee (SPC), who will be fully briefed on your situation by the Academic Lead for SPS or their Deputy or other relevant colleagues.
  • If your request is approved, the SPC will also consider to which year of the Programme you should return following a period of interruption, which assessments you should take and whether they will be taken at first or second attempt (if appropriate).
  • You will be informed of these decisions in writing by the Secretary to the SPC, who will also notify relevant members of the MBChB Programme.
  • Prior to your return, you will meet with the Central University SPS team who will support you through your return to the Programme, including making onward referrals to the University’s Occupational Health Service and to DASS, as appropriate.
  • If your circumstances are not fully rectified, you must submit a new Interruption Request Form detailing your reasons and including updated supporting evidence before the start of the next academic year and as detailed in your letter from the SPC; however you should not assume this request will be approved and an exit award may be issued, if appropriate.
  • If you do not respond to SPS or fail to submit a further Interruption Request Form and supporting evidence as detailed above, you may be withdrawn from the Programme and an exit award issued, in accordance with the University’s Policies on Interruptions.

Also see:

Your Guide to the MBChB Programme