Any absences during term time must be authorised by a course lead.
An Authorised Absence letter request form can be found here: Authorised Absence Request Form and must to be approved by a course lead before leaving the UK.
One Authorised Absence can be agreed per academic year and the maximum amount of time that can be agreed is 15 study days (3 weeks) during term-time.
If required, Authorised Absence only applies to:
- Pregnancy,
- Personal injury from an accident,
- Family emergency where family members are gravely ill overseas, and
- Bereavement.
Minor sickness or long-term illness is not included as a ground for Authorised Absence. Authorised Absence will only be granted after satisfactory evidence is provided. E.g. Medical records.
Overseas weddings are not viewed as a family emergency and Authorised Absence will not be granted for this reason. Undergraduate students are free to travel overseas during recognised vacation periods.
Any absence accrued must not lead to the requirement to make a visa extension in the future. The visa team will issue an Authorised Absence letter electronically via email. A visa holder will be asked to ensure they present themselves to their course lead and a member of the visa team on their return.
Any international student visa holders requiring more absence must apply for Leave of Absence (LOA). Failure to request LOA within 5 working days may result in visa sponsorship withdrawal due to visa compliance reasons without the right to appeal.