Changes to your circumstances
We understand that there may be unexpected circumstances which make you consider taking a break in your studies (interruption), changing programme (transfer) or leaving Northumbria University (withdrawing). While considering a change in circumstance it’s important to understand how it may affect your Student Route (formally Tier 4).
As your Student Route (formally Tier 4) Sponsor we are required to inform the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) of certain changes to your circumstances, these changes could then result in your visa being curtailed (cancelled). Once we have informed the UKVI of the changes below, we are normally unable to withdraw that report. If your visa is curtailed the UKVI will contact you to tell you your new visa expiry date, you will need to leave the UK or apply for new leave (if eligible) before your new visa expiry date. Further details about our responsibility to report changes to your circumstances to the UKVI can be found in the Northumbria University Compliance Protocol.
Please be aware that the curtailment of your visa will impact on your right to work in the UK, as well as that of any dependants, where applicable. Any time you remain in the UK will be counted towards any future study CAP.
Appeals: please note that submitting an appeal does not delay our requirement to report changes to your circumstances to the UKVI. Any appeal process is not part of your programme of studies and as such the University is unable to maintain sponsorship of you under its licence while you wait for the outcome of an appeal. An appeal does not therefore delay the Home Office requirements that you (and any dependents) leave the country. This may mean you have to complete the appeal process from your home country. Appeals relate to re-engaging with your studies and do not reinstate visa sponsorship.
Current international students holding a Tier 4/Student Route visa who are considering a change in circumstance should seek immigration advice from an immigration adviser as soon as possible by raising an enquiry through the student portal.
Further information on the implications of a change in circumstances and how to request a change can be found in the Student Portal.
We are required to inform the UKVI of any students who are withdrawn as an academic failure.The report will withdraw the University’s sponsorship of your visa and result in your visa being curtailed. The University’s Compliance Team will email you to confirm that the University has stopped sponsoring you. They will always recommend that you and your dependents should arrange to leave the UK and return to your home country within 60 days of receiving the email, or to leave the UK as soon as possible and by your current visa expiry date, if it is sooner.
Once the report is made, the University will not normally reinstate sponsorship of your visa, even in the event of you successfully appealing the decision which lead to your studies being terminated.
If you make an appeal against the Academic Failure decision please note that any appeal process is not part of your programme of studies and as such the University is unable to maintain sponsorship of you under its licence while you wait for the outcome of an appeal. An appeal does not therefore delay the Home Office requirements that you (and any dependents) leave the country. This may mean you have to complete the appeal process from your home country. Appeals relate to re-engaging with your studies and do not reinstate visa sponsorship.
If you wish to add a placement to your course you should seek advice from the Welfare, Funding and Immigration Team through the Student Portal. You may be required to apply for your new visa before you can begin your placement.
Applicants from 2021 are unable to add Advanced Practice to their course once they have enrolled.
If you were originally given a visa to cover a placement and do not undertake a placement, you will therefore complete your course earlier than the course end date on your CAS and we will inform the Home Office of your early completion. The Home Office will then curtail your visa to the original wrap up period given on your current visa.Please see the "Completing your course earlier than expected tab below".
If you completed your programme earlier than the end date stated on your CAS, we will be required to inform the UKVI.
The report will withdraw the University’s sponsorship of your visa and result in your visa being curtailed. The University’s Compliance Team will email you to confirm that the University has stopped sponsoring you. The UKVI will then curtail your visa to the original additional wrap up period given on your current visa. Your wrap up period will depend on your course type and length, you can see details of this below.
|
Type of course |
Period to be granted after the course ends (Wrap up period) |
|
12 months or more |
4 months |
|
6 months or more but less than 12 months |
2 months |
|
Pre-sessional course of less than 6 months |
1 month |
|
Course of less than 6 months that is not a pre-sessional course |
7 days |
|
Postgraduate doctor or dentist |
1 month |
If after being accepted onto a course, you decide you wish to defer to the next date of entry you should:
- Request this as soon as possible following the instructions in the making changes section of our Admissions Hub . This should be requested before the start of your course and before you request your CAS.
- You should not enrol on your course and should not travel to the UK if you plan to defer.
- In exceptional Circumstances we may approve a deferral for applicants who have already been granted a granted a Student Route visa but have not yet enrolled or travelled to the UK. In these cases:
- We will inform the Home Office that you have deferred. Your Student Route visa will then be cancelled, and you will be unable to use it to travel to the UK.
- You will require a new CAS and new visa application before you start your programme at your new start date.
- You will not be refunded for your original visa application
Applicants who have already enrolled or travelled to the UK will be unlikely to be permitted to defer and will need to commence their studies in the original intake. If you are not able to commence your studies after enrolment you should request a break in studies, please note a break in studies is not guaranteed.
If you are excluded you will be withdrawn from your course. Reasons for exclusions include, but are not limited to, Financial Exclusion and Academic Misconduct.
We are required to inform the UKVI of any students who are withdrawn from their course. The report will withdraw the University’s sponsorship of your visa and result in your visa being curtailed. The University’s Compliance Team will email you to confirm that the University has stopped sponsoring you. They will always recommend that you and your dependents should arrange to leave the UK and return to your home country within 60 days of receiving the email, or to leave the UK as soon as possible and by your current visa expiry date, if it is sooner.
Once the report is made, the University will not normally reinstate sponsorship of your visa, even in the event of you successfully appealing the decision which lead to your studies being terminated or in the case of financial exclusion making any payments. Excluded students will not be sponsored for any future study at Northumbria University.
Please note that if you choose to appeal the exclusion decision any appeal process is not part of your programme of studies and as such the University is unable to maintain sponsorship of you under its licence while you wait for the outcome of an appeal. An appeal does not therefore delay the Home Office requirements that you (and any dependents) leave the country. This may mean you have to complete the appeal process from your home country. Appeals relate to re-engaging with your studies and do not reinstate visa sponsorship
If you are undertaking referrals/deferrals and have no attendance required during this time we will be unable to sponsor you during this time. We will inform the Home Office that you are repeating elements of your course as a non-attending student. The report will withdraw the University’s sponsorship of your visa and result in your visa being curtailed. The University’s Compliance Team will email you to confirm that the University has stopped sponsoring you. They will always recommend that you and your dependents should arrange to leave the UK and return to your home country within 60 days of receiving the email, or to leave the UK as soon as possible and by your current visa expiry date, if it is sooner.
Once the report is made, the University will not normally reinstate sponsorship of your visa, even in the event of you successfully appealing the decision which lead to your studies being terminated.
Any appeal process is not part of your programme of studies and as such the University is unable to maintain sponsorship of you under its licence while you wait for the outcome of an appeal. An appeal does not therefore delay the Home Office requirements that you (and any dependents) leave the country. This may mean you have to complete the appeal process from your home country. Appeals relate to re-engaging with your studies and do not reinstate visa sponsorship.
To return to your studies in the UK once you have passed your referrals/deferrals you will need to request a new CAS in order to apply for your new visa. You can request a CAS here.
If you take a break in your studies we are required to inform the UKVI. The report will withdraw the University’s sponsorship of your visa and result in your visa being curtailed. The University’s Compliance Team will email you to confirm that the University has stopped sponsoring you. They will always recommend that you and your dependents should arrange to leave the UK and return to your home country within 60 days of receiving the email, or to leave the UK as soon as possible and by your current visa expiry date, if it is sooner.
You will require a new CAS to make a new visa application from overseas before you can return to your studies, you will be required to request a new CAS here.
The Immigration rules do not allow all students to transfer on their current Tier 4/Student Route visa. In order to transfer to a course which is a different level, different length or a different subject area to your current course (ie. English to Engineering) you may be first be required to apply for a new visa from your home country.
If you wish to transfer course you should discuss this with your Programme Leader or Personal Tutor and the Welfare, Immigration and Funding Team to discuss what is possible.
We will inform the UKVI if you decide to withdraw from your course.The report will withdraw the University’s sponsorship of your visa and result in your visa being curtailed. The University’s Compliance Team will email you to confirm that the University has stopped sponsoring you. They will always recommend that you and your dependents should arrange to leave the UK and return to your home country within 60 days of receiving the email, or to leave the UK as soon as possible and by your current visa expiry date, if it is sooner.
Once this report is made, the University will not normally reinstate sponsorship of your visa. If your circumstances change and you wish to return to your studies you should seek advice from the Welfare, Immigration and Funding Team (WIFT).
