Please note that the advice on this page is based on the Undergraduate Regulations. Any postgraduate students who require advice on any of the topics please contact us( educatiounit@le.ac.uk) and we will be able to help you out.
Starting a course at University, often far away from your home, family and friends can be a very unsettling experience. So if you are unhappy at the moment it is very important to try and identify the issues that are making you unhappy. The following are some of the common issues which affect most students during the early part of their University years.
Being Away from family, partner and friends.
Moving away from familiar surroundings to a strange city and being placed with a bunch of strangers can be a little nerve racking at times. So it is natural to be feeling a bit uneasy or anxious at the situation. However, it is important to remember that most of the other students sharing the corridor/house with you or on your course are likely to be having the same thoughts and worries. Making the effort to talk to some of them may soon help you to overcome these initial difficulties.You can also set yourself a timetable for returning home on some weekends during the term. This will give you something to look forward to and over time you probably will get used to being away from your loved ones during term times.
The people in the corridor or house with you
It is not unusual to feel that you do not know any of the people sharing your accommodation, but it is also true that they don't know anything about your either. Often a simple hello, going to the evening meal together or perhaps going out to one of the many fresher's events together should help you get to know them a bit better. In some cases it is also possible that you simply do not get on with them as they are very different from you and that you do not have many things in common. If this is the reason for your unhappiness then consider joining a few of the many student groups available at the University. The nature and range of these groups are so wide that you will be able to find at least a couple of them do the type of activities you enjoy. You can also try and mix with the people from your course more as you have more in common with them.
Other Difficulties
Often you may face other unforeseen difficulties such as illness, bereavement, family problems etc. If you find yourself in such a position then inform your personal tutor as soon as possible. You may be able to arrange some time off and return to the course a few days, weeks or even a month later. You may also be able to defer some of your course work to a later date to relive some pressure. Alternatively you can always consider taking a year out. Course/University
It is also possible that the course, the department or the University did not meet your expectations. Remember that very often the first few weeks and the first year are an introduction to your degree and as such cover a wide range of background material. You only start to get your teeth into the subject matter in the later years when you will have more choices on the options and the depth to which you want to know a particular aspect of the degree. Speaking to your personal tutor or students in the senior years should help to get an understanding of how the course will span out.Sometimes it is the case that you do not like the style of one or more lecturers. Changing courses for this reason alone is a bad idea as all courses have a number of different lecturers - some that inspire you while others that may put you to sleep! It is more important to see if the course is of interest to you and will make it easier for you to get the sort of jobs you want in the future.
Other things that you need to consider before deciding to Change Course, Take a Year out or Leave University Completely.
- Informing your Family
It is best if you discuss your decision with your family and friends before acting on them as they have known you for a long time and will be able to help you figure out a sensible solution. This will also make it easier for you if you chose to go back home for a period of time.
- Accommodation Contracts
If you are in University Accommodation and wish to leave then you need to contact your warden or the Accommodation Office to make the appropriate arrangements to vacate your room. You will be charged the corresponding fee for the duration of your stay at the residence. If you are in private accommodation then you must check your contract to see if you can leave without incurring a penalty. Often you will find that if you or your housemates can't find a replacement then you will be expected to pay for the duration of the contract.
- Top Up Fees
You may be able to get some of the fees that you have already paid to the University back. As our University works this out on a weekly basis, if you decide to leave on the 2nd day of 3rd week in the year then you will be expected to pay 3 weeks worth of fees. If you have made any overpayments then you need to contact the University Cashiers Office to get the balance back.
- Student Loan
If you decide to leave the University then it is best to inform the Students Loans Company that you have left. You will no longer be entitled to further instalments of the Student Loans unless you start another course that meets the criteria for the Student Loans. See their website for more information.
- Local Education Authority
You should also inform your local education authority of your decision as soon as possible. Your LEA pays a fixed amount to the University for your course and it may be possible for you to get this award for any future degrees provided that you leave university before their cut off date has expired.
Procedure for Leaving
Obtain the Leaving University Permanently form from the Registry or download it from
Leaving University Form
- Complete the form, get the relevant signatures and return it.
- Inform your Local Education Authority.
- Inform your Student Loans Company.
- If in University Accommodation then make arrangements with the Accommodation Office to vacate your room and refunds.
- Contact cashier's office if you need to arrange any tuition fee refunds.
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