Permanent Withdrawal

If you are considering withdrawing permanently from your programme and leaving Loughborough University, you should discuss your situation with your School/Department (Tutor or School Administrator).

You might consider taking a leave of absence (LOA) in the interim while you decide the way forward and if you are not 100% certain that you want to leave your course for good, this is probably the better option. You can then withdraw at any point before you re-register but please note the financial implications below. 

Please note this information is for UK undergraduate students.

To withdraw you need to complete an RG1011 Withdrawal Form. Please also see additional Student Handbook information on withdrawal.

There are various implications of permanent withdrawal outlined below:

Student Finance

Tuition fees

Loughborough University does not charge tuition fees if you withdraw from your course during the first four weeks of the academic year.

If you withdraw after the end of the fourth week of the academic year, you will be charged tuition fees on a termly basis:

Withdraw in Term 1

After end of week 4

(25% of fees due)

Withdraw in Term 2

(further 25% of fees due)

 

Withdraw in Term 3

(final 50% of fees due)

 

£2,312.50

£2,312.50

£4,625

Please note however that any year you start will count as one year’s previous study for student finance purposes, even if you withdraw within the first four weeks. We can advise you how this affects your future student finance.

If you have borrowed a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your fees it is important to check that your student loan statement (which you may not receive for several months) reflects the correct level of tuition fees, otherwise you may end up repaying too much.

Tuition Fee funding

If you enter Higher Education in the future, your previous year(s) of study will generally affect your future tuition fee funding. This can apply even if you only completed a few weeks of a previous course or academic year. The Maintenance Loan and Disabled Student Allowance are not normally affected.

Tuition Fee Loans will normally be paid only for one additional year of study beyond the standard duration of the degree programme. The extra year is often referred to as a “gift year”. If the gift year has already been used due to previously changing course or an earlier repeat year and any period of repeat study is due to health or personal difficulties, you can request an additional year of funding.  You will need to provide an explanation and evidence of the difficulties having affected your studies to Student Finance. Student Finance England decide such a request under their Compelling Personal Reasons (CPR) procedure. SASS can advise and assist with preparing such a request.

Any previous years of study at higher education on a different course or at a different institution will normally affect Tuition Fee Loan entitlement.

Maintenance loan

You won’t normally get any further instalments of your current year loan after the date of your withdrawal. But if you withdraw shortly before the due date of your next payment, there is the possibility that you may receive the money because of a delay with Student Finance England updating your record. Be warned that this may result in an overpayment that will probably have to be paid back directly rather than when your normal repayments would normally start.

Accommodation

University Halls

  • Complete the accommodation cancellation request form for the Student Accommodation Centre
  • Hand back your keys when you vacate your room.

You will be charged up to the official withdrawal, plus an admin fee equivalent to 4 weeks rent/fees.

You are not normally permitted to continue to live in Halls if you withdraw from your studies.

If you have already paid your hall fees you can ask for a refund of any overpayment if your account is in credit.

The balance of your room bond deposit should be refunded within 30 days.

Private Halls and Private rented accommodation

If you have signed a contract for a private hall or private house/flat you will probably be liable to pay rent to the end of the contract whether you live there or not. But if you do not wish to live in the accommodation, you can:

  • Check to see if there is an early release (break) clause in your contract.
  • Try to find a replacement tenant – The landlord or managing agent needs to agree to the transfer to release you from your contract. It is strongly recommended that you sign a deed of surrender or assignment. We can advise you further on this.

If you want to stay in privately managed halls or accommodation after you withdraw and want to stay in the property as a non-student:

  • You may need to check your contract but a landlord or managing agent cannot normally insist that you leave on the grounds that you are no longer a student.
  • You will become liable for council tax for the whole property (subject to a 25% discount on the bill if you are the only non-student living in the property).

Welfare Benefits

When you permanently withdraw from a course you will no longer be a student and therefore will be able to apply for welfare benefits/Universal Credit, subject to eligibility.

Credits/debits on your university account

Check with the LU Finance Office (via Student Records and Operations in the Rutland Building) to see if you have any credit (or debit) on your university account. Any money owed to the university will become a debt and will need to be repaid. If you are in credit it is advisable to request a refund without delay.

Council tax

When you permanently withdraw from a course you will no longer be a student so you may also become liable for council tax.

Last Updated: 20th November 2023