Before you withdraw from your studies

Withdrawing from your studies is a big decision and it is important that you carefully consider the impact of it before submitting your withdrawal request. Once you have withdrawn, it will not be possible to re-register on the same programme at UCL except in exceptional circumstances.

You may wish to consider interrupting your studies as an alternative to withdrawing: interrupting allows you to pause your studies for a period of time, returning to UCL to complete them at a later date.

Visit our Interrupting your studies webpage to find out more about interruptions.

Use the checklist below to help you think through key factors before you withdraw:

1. Review UCL’s regulations on withdrawing from a Programme

Review UCL’s withdrawals regulations (section 7 of the Academic Manual)

2. Discuss your withdrawal with a member of staff from your department

This might be your personal tutor, supervisor, departmental tutor, departmental graduate tutor, a programme administrator or another member of staff. They will help you to explore your options and make sure that withdrawing is right for you. You might find that you can continue your studies if we can put in place Reasonable Adjustments or Examination Adjustments for you. You can also apply for extensions and deferrals of both classes and assessments via the Extenuating Circumstances process. 

3. Understand the impact of withdrawing on your visa (Student visa holders only)

If you hold a Student visa, UCL is required to inform UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if you withdraw from your programme. Once your withdrawal has been processed, you will receive an email to confirm that sponsorship has been withdrawn and it is advised that you should leave the UK within 60 days of UCL’s report to UKVI. Further information can also be found on the UCL Immigration & Visa website or you can log an enquiry for the Student Immigration and Compliance Team via askUCL. 

4. Check your fee liability

The proportion of tuition fees that you are liable for will depend on your withdrawal date – you can find out more on our Fee liability for interrupting and withdrawing students webpage.

5. Find out how withdrawing will affect your funding arrangements

Visit our Funding information for interrupting and withdrawing students webpage for information about funding entitlements and implications when you withdraw.

6. Find out how withdrawing can impact your accommodation, council tax and Oyster card

Visit our Accommodation, Council tax and Oyster cards webpage for more information.

Help and Support

Information about support services available are listed below.

UCL Student Support and Wellbeing services

UCL’s Student Support and Wellbeing team is here to offer a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to discuss any challenges you may be facing and can help you to consider and explore all options so you can make an informed decision that is right for you.

The team can advise on options available to help you continue your studies, including making reasonable adjustments for health issues or disabilities, and exploring options like Disabled Student Allowances.

Please visit our webpages to find out how you can contact and arrange an appointment with Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Students’ Union UCL Advice Service

The Students’ Union also offers a free, confidential and independent advice and support service.

Find out more about the Students’ Union UCL Advice Service.

UCL Careers

You can find guides to Changing or Leaving your Course and Making the best of a degree you don’t enjoy in UCL Careers online resources library.

UCL Careers offer confidential one-to-one meetings with a careers professional during which you can discuss future plans and what the impact of leaving a course early might be on future careers. Careers support, including one-to-ones, access to events, and resources will remain available to you for three months after your withdrawal.

Portico queries

A user guide and Frequently Asked Questions on submitting your request on Portico are provided on the How to apply webpage.

For other queries about submitting your withdrawal request on Portico, please contact the UCL Student Records team by logging an enquiry via askUCL.

Log a query via askUCL