Frequently Asked Questions: Course problems, resits and changes
1. I have failed a module(s) and have to resit. What should I do?
The following information applies to international students, studying on an old style student visa (applied for before 31/03/09) or a Tier 4 student visa (applied for on or after 31/03/09).
- If there is no significant break in studies (less than 60 days in term time) because of the re sit, you may remain in the UK and complete your studies. If you do not have enough time on your student visa to complete your course, you may need to renew your visa.
- If there is a significant break in studies (more than 60 days in term time) because of the re sit, you will be expected to leave the UK and apply for a new visa in order to return to the UK and to your course, nearer the time. The break in your studies will be noted on your student record and UEL may be required to notify UK Border Agency.
Examples of significant break in study are:
- No modules to attempt in Semester B but resits in August
- No modules available to take in Semester A but modules to take in Semester B
Returning to Study
If you need to apply for a new visa in order to continue with your studies, the University compliance team will ask you to prove that you have been meeting the conditions of your previous visa before issuing you with a CAS. If you are on a break you will be required to show that you have left the UK during this period, by scanning and emailing stamps in your passport, flight tickets etc. If they are confident of this and you meet all of the normal Tier 4 requirements, you will be issued with a CAS for future study at UEL. You can request a CAS a maximum of three months prior to your return to study or resit exams. Your break in studies will be noted in your CAS.
If you hold an old style student visa (which you applied for before 31/03/2009), you will still be expected to leave the UK and return only when you are ready to study again. If you are on an old style student visa and you choose to remain in the UK, you do so at your own risk. Please note that you will not be issued with a CAS for future study at UEL if you remain in the UK whilst you are on a break. If you are unsure about your current situation, please contact isa@uel.ac.uk.
More information available in the in the Student Visas section of this website.
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2. I am in my home country. Can I defer my studies?
Your 50% tuition fee deposit is non-refundable except in the case of your visa application being refused. If you are in your home country and you have already paid your 50% deposit you may only defer your course if your visa application has been refused. If you need to defer you course to the next start date, you should email admissions.international@uel.ac.uk with your reasons along with evidence.
If you require a refund of monies paid for tuition fees, please refer to the 'Fees Policy' for the current academic year. Refund requests are processed strictly in accordance with our refund policy.
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3. I am already in the UK. Can I defer/ take a break from my studies?
Deferring/ taking a break from your studies is only acceptable in the most exceptional circumstances. If you are already in the UK on a student visa and you wish to defer or take a break from your studies, you will first need to discuss this with your School. If a break is permitted, you will be expected to leave the UK until you are ready to start again. This is because the student visa rules do not allow for breaks in study and remaining in the UK.
If you wish to take a break, you will need to contact your School to inform them of the reasons for your request, as it is normally only acceptable in the most exceptional circumstances. Taking a break may also have tuition fee implications. See UEL Fees Policy
More information available in the Student Visas section of this website.
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4. I'm having problems with attending my course, what should I do?
The University of East London has a strict Student Attendance Policy, which must be met in order to continue on your course of study. The UK Border Agency also has a very strict attendance requirement and requires the University to report any international student on a student visa who fails to meet the attendance requirements.
Failure to meet UEL's attendance policy will result in your removal from your modules and the University will have to report your lack of attendance to the UK Border Agency. If you are in the UK on a student visa, this will mean that you will be expected to leave the UK.
If you have exceptional reasons for not being able to attend your course fully, you should in the first instance contact your school and explain the circumstances along with sufficient evidence. If the school agree that you have exceptional circumstances and you have provided satisfactory evidence to that effect, your school may agree to authorised absence. However, this can only be in the most exceptional of circumstances and at the discretion of the school.
More information available in the Student Visas section of this website.
If you are having problems attending due to ill health, or because you are stressed out, you might also find it useful to see the University's Health and Wellbeing team for support and advice. You can find more information here: Health and Wellbeing
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