Extension or suspension of studies

It may be that you encounter unavoidable difficulties that mean that you need to take time out and suspend your studies temporarily. Talk to your Supervisor for advice about your studies in the first instance. If you are unable to make progress on your studies then you should apply to your department, faculty or school to suspend your studies via a form GSO.17 Application for Suspension of Studies. If you need additional terms, subject to the arrangement of your course, you will need to apply to your department to extend your studies via a form GSO.15 Application for Extension of Time. Remember, if applicable, suspension or withdrawing from your studies may affect your visa eligibility.

There are additional arrangements for student parents, and you may find it helpful to consult the University’s guidance for student parents.

Departments and courses have different regulations about this so do ensure that your course allows for the changes to your studies. The forms need to be approved by a number of parties so you should apply in good time with the process being completed by Week 2 of term if possible. You will have to provide reasons for the requests and independent verifiable evidence (as appropriate). It should be noted that retrospective suspensions are rarely granted; any such request must make clear why the request for suspension could not be made ahead of time.

Graduate Study (GSO) forms are available to download from www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/graduate/progression

If you need an extension to a deadline for examined or assessed written work please refer to the Examination and Assessment page of the Student Handbook.

If you have experienced circumstances that have adversely affected your academic progress, such as illness or personal events, for example bereavement, please visit the Mitigating Circumstances Notice to Examiners (MCE) page of this handbook.