Change mode of attendance

Overview

Overview

Students may be able to switch from the part-time attendance mode to the full-time and vice versa where needed. Not all departments offer part-time study so you will need to check with your department. You should first speak with your supervisor and discuss the options available to you. This decision should not be taken lightly and it is essential that you understand the implications that this may have.

Changing your status will affect your expected end date, fulfilment of the requirements for the University's minimum period of registration and also the tuition fees payable for the remainder of your study at the University of York.

You should be aware that changing your mode of attendance may also affect your entitlement to financial support, visas, accommodation and council tax exemption. Help and advice are also available from the Student Support Office regarding issues such as the implications for student funding, tuition fees and accommodation.  

Criteria

Criteria and conditions

A change in the mode of attendance will have an impact on the tuition fees due and timetable arrangements and will therefore require prior discussion with the department, and will require that Student Services be adequately informed.

Mode of attendance changes should commence on the first day of a calendar month.

Fees

If you change your mode at the beginning of the academic year, your tuition fees will be adjusted to the full/part time rate as appropriate. If you change your mode during any other term, your fees will be calculated proportionally.

For more information see the Student Financial Support website.

Student Visas

If you are an international student and you wish to take change your mode of attendance, you are unlikely to continue to be eligible for the Student Visa. Therefore you must consult with an Immigration Adviser before taking this step.

The University is required to report a change of mode of attendance for an international student to UK Visas & Immigration within 10 days of the start date of the leave of absence.

For more information please see the immigration information website. 

Funding

You are responsible for informing the University when requesting a change of mode of attendance if you receive funding from an external source (ie Research Council funding, foreign loans, etc.). It is your responsibility to ensure that the change in mode of attendance is compatible with the regulations of any granting agency from which funding would normally be received, and that such agencies are informed of the change. Extending your studies or changing your mode of attendance, particularly for Postgraduates, could have serious implications on your funding. It is especially important to check the implications if your funding is provided through Student Finance England (the Student Loans Company) as you may be ineligible for further funding and may have to repay part of your loan.

If you are a University of York or external scholarship holder, you should check the terms of your award before requesting a formal change to mode of attendance since there may be implications for your scholarship.

Foreign loans

If you have student loan programs should clarify the consequences that such a mode change might have on their status and eligibility.

Externally funded scholarships (eg Research Council studentships)

If your studies are supported by an external funder (eg Research Councils) any change to mode of attendance, may have funding implications. For example, if an overpayment occurs as a result of a change of the mode of study you liable to repay payments on a pro-rata basis.

Before requesting a formal mode of attendance change we recommend that you:

• Speak to your department/supervisor, and
• Check the specific terms and conditions of your funding.

In general, you can apply for a change of the mode of study from part-time to full-time or vice-versa from the beginning of a term. Possible reasons for a change of mode of study may include changes in personal or employment circumstances. A change of the mode of study will not normally be approved for health reasons where a suspension may be the more appropriate course of action. You cannot normally have a change of mode of study in the final six months of a taught degree or during the writing-up period of a research degree.

Please see your external funder’s website for more information:

• Research Council Funding Guidelines
• Other External Funders Guidelines

Accommodation

If you are changing your mode of attendance to part time, you are NOT eligible to remain in University accommodation. You must complete a Request to Vacate form and give notice to vacate your room.

For further information please see the Accommodation Services website.

Council tax

If you are considered changing your mode of attendance to full-time you may be eligible for Council tax exemption.

Part-time students are not exempt from Council tax, either during or after their period of part-time enrolment.

For more information please see the Council tax website.

Apply

How to apply

If you wish to apply for a change to your mode of attendance, you should approach your supervisor and discuss your options and possible implications. It is your responsibility to take note of any advice given to you during discussions about changing mode of attendance.

If your department agrees to the mode of attendance change, you should then complete Part A on the Mode of Attendance Form and email it to your supervisor. Your supervisor and department will then complete the remaining sections of the form and forward it to Student Services for processing.

• Change Mode of Attendance UG/PGT (MS Word , 51kb)‌
• Change Mode of Attendance UG/PGT (PDF , 123kb)‌

 Please ensure that the following information is included:

• Your current student identification number (which can be found on the back of your student card);
• An explanation of why you wish to change your mode of attendance;
• State if you are receiving any sort of outside funding (eg Research Councils, foreign student loans, etc. Also see the Funding section in the Criteria tab on this page);
• If you are a research student, you must also include coherent and realistic plan for the completion and submission of the thesis within the required period.

If you are emailing the form, it must be sent from your York email address. You can forward your University email account to another email address but any correspondence to the University must be sent from your University of York email address.

Until formal approval is given, you will remain registered on your current programme and will be expected to comply with all its requirements, including attendance at all classes.

If your application is successful, you will receive a change in mode of attendance email confirmation to your University of York email account, confirming the start date of your new mode of attendance, and any conditions required.