Thinking of leaving Keele?
If you're thinking of leaving your course, our Student Services team can support you with this. However, first, it can be useful to consider what is really making you think about leaving your course and Keele. Some common reasons include:
- feeling unhappy with your choice of course e.g. it's too easy/difficult, or disliking the subject
- feeling unhappy with your choice of university e.g. it's not what you expected, it's too large/small
- finance e.g. struggling with fees, course materials or living costs
- personal e.g. feeling homesick, struggling to balance other priorities and commitments
- changing your future career plans e.g. is your subject/course still relevant?
- health reasons e.g. is illness or a disability making it difficult to cope?
Ask yourself:
- What were my expectations of my programme?
- Why and how haven’t these expectations been met?
- What would I like to be different about my current situation?
- What do I think are my options?
If you do decide that you want to leave, it is important that you complete the withdrawal process fully, as you remain liable for tuition fees until your withdrawal is completed.
If you have already left Keele without completing the withdrawal process, please contact Student Services. We will ask you to complete the online form, then inform everyone else who needs to know.
If you've decided you want to leave University:
If you decide that your course is not right for you after all, please complete the following steps:
- Complete the online withdrawal form on eVision. This can be found by clicking on the 'Courses and Modules' button, then click on "Request Withdrawal" under the box titled "Course Information" and fill in the online form.
- You will then be contacted by an adviser who will discuss your reasons for leaving in the form of a short exit interview and also advise you on the implications of withdrawing.
Tuition Fees (All Students)
You will be charged tuition fees up to the point of withdrawal - view the withdrawal policy fees here. An adviser will discuss this further with you as part of your discussions about withdrawal.
UK/EU students
When you withdraw, we will notify your funding body. If you receive Student Finance, this will be reassessed to calculate the amount of student finance you are entitled to up to the point of withdrawing. You will then receive a new entitlement letter. You will not receive any further maintenance payments.
Accommodation
If you live in university accommodation, you will be required to move out within 28 days of your withdrawal being completed. You can also be reimbursed for any advance accommodation fees you have paid once you have vacated your room and returned your key.
International students
If you are an international student and you hold a student visa, we will inform the Home Office (UKVI) that you will no longer be a full-time student at Keele. You will then be required to leave the UK as your current visa will be cancelled. This will mean you will not be able to apply for the UK post study work visa, the Graduate Route.
Depending on the time of year you withdraw, you may be assessed as being overpaid. If you have incurred an over payment because you withdrew from your course, as well as receiving a letter confirming that you have been reassessed due to your withdrawal, you will also receive a letter informing you of the overpaid amount.
You should take a look at the information provided by Student Finance or contact them directly for further guidance.
If you would like to transfer to another university:
If you decide that you would like to study somewhere else, you need to follow three steps with us:
- Complete the online withdrawal form on eVision. This can be found by clicking on the 'Courses and Modules' button.
- You will then be contacted by an adviser who will discuss your reasons for leaving in the form of a short exit interview and also advise you on the implications of withdrawing. This meeting ensures that we can respond to any information requests (from your new university) in a timely way. Please be aware that we are unable to advise you if you are eligible to transfer to another university, you would need to enquire at the university you are interested in studying at.
Our transfer guidance sheet (PDF) outlines the processes related to transferring from (or to) Keele, and changing your course.
You are advised to confirm your continued eligibility for a student loan with your student finance provider, particularly if your transfer will extend the overall period of time you will be studying for.
When you withdraw from Keele, we will notify your funding body if applicable. If you receive Student Finance, this will be reassessed to calculate the amount of student finance you are entitled to up to the point of withdrawing. You will then receive a new entitlement letter. You will not receive any further maintenance payments, unless you arrange this with Student Finance.
You will be charged Keele tuition fees up to the point of withdrawal. An adviser will discuss this further with you.
If you live in university accommodation, you will be required to move out within 28 days of your withdrawal being completed. You can also be reimbursed for any advance accommodation fees you have paid once you have vacated your room and returned your key.
If you are an international student and you hold a Tier 4 visa, we will inform the Home Office that you will no longer be a full-time student at Keele. You will then be required to leave the UK as your current visa will be curtailed (cancelled), unless you arrange for the visa to continue.
Please contact your new university or student finance provider for further information.
Depending on the time of year you withdraw, you may be assessed as being overpaid. If you have incurred an over payment because you withdrew from your course, as well as receiving a letter confirming that you have been reassessed due to your withdrawal, you will also receive a letter informing you of the overpaid amount.
You should take a look at the information provided by Student Finance or contact them directly for further guidance.