A suspension of studies is when the university temporarily breaks or pauses your studies for a specified period of time. A suspension is usually a result of another process including (but not limited to) a code of conduct investigation, financial reasons, fitness to study decision or outcome from an academic appeal. For more information on suspension of studies then please visit out suspension of studies webpage and read our suspension of studies policy [PDF]

If you are an apprentice and have been suspended, then you should read the suspension of studies policy [PDF]. You should also contact your link tutor or the Apprenticeships Team at Apprenticeships@beds.ac.uk to discuss your suspension

You will have received official communication from us informing you of the reason(s) for your suspension. The below are some of the main reasons why you might have been suspended:

• Failure to follow the University’s code of conduct policy
• A change in your status affecting your immigration status and visa compliance
• Financial reasons
• A fitness to study decision
• The investigation stage of an academic appeal
• A break in your studies due to the availability of units or a Post Graduate Research Supervisor

A suspension from practise is different from a suspension of studies. A suspension from practise means that you are currently suspended from the placement elements of your course (you are usually able to continue with the academic/theory elements of your course). A suspension from practise is usually due to a cause for concern or fitness to practise investigation which is taking place. For more information, please speak to your course team or refer to the fitness to practise webpage.

If you are an international student studying on a visa, it is important that you seek advice from the International Office as soon as possible to discuss the implications of your suspension on your immigration and visa status.

The implications of a suspension under this policy will depend on the reason for it being applied and how long the suspension applies for. Please read the suspension to studies policy [PDF] or if you need further assistance then contact the Student Engagement Team

To discuss the financial implications of your suspension, please contact the Student Money Advice Team on studentmoney@beds.ac.uk

If you live on campus or in our partner accommodation, you may also be suspended from your accommodation, although this will be made clear when you are notified of the conditions of your suspension. You should contact your accommodation provider in the first instance to understand any accommodation implications. If you need further assistance then contact accommodation@beds.ac.uk or speak to the Student Engagement Team

Please refer to the suspension of studies webpage which provides more detailed information on how your suspension will impact on your studies and access.

Please refer to the suspension of studies webpage and go to step 3 which provides more information on appealing a decision.

Please contact the Student Engagement Team to discuss what services are available to you and how you can access them whilst complying with the conditions of your suspension.

The duration and timing of your suspension will depend on the reason for it being applied and whether this is resolved (e.g. by paying fees outstanding). Please refer to the Suspension of Studies Policy. Please refer to communication sent to you or contact the Student Engagement Team

All courses have a maximum period of registration and in most situations, the time that you spend suspended will count towards the time you are permitted to complete your studies. You can find out more about maximum periods of registration in our regulations, under Section 3b: Registrations

It your studies remain suspended for an extended period of time, we may be required to terminate your studies because you may no longer have enough time (in accordance with our maximum period of registration), to complete your studies.

In some cases, the university may need to extend the length of your suspension. For example, when your studies have been suspended for a fixed period, but the university is not satisfied that you have met the conditions of your return or there is an ongoing internal (e.g. code of conduct) or external (e.g. police investigation) that has not been concluded. An extension to your suspension may also affect your maximum period of registration, please refer to the previous FAQ.

If you have mitigating circumstances that are impacting on your ability to meet the conditions of your suspension, it may be possible to request an extension to give you more time to meet those conditions.

We will be in contact regarding you returning to your studies. Please read our return to studies policy [PDF] and return to studies webpage for more information on what happens when you return to your studies.