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Changing Your Study Plans: Deferrals, Withdrawals and Cancellation

An explanation of the rules that apply if you want to defer or withdraw from your studies, or want to change your choice of module or qualification.

The Changing Your Study Plans Policy sets out the options that you have as a student if you want to change the modules and/or qualification that you are studying, take a break from study, or withdraw from your studies with the Open University. It also explains the rules and procedures for each option and indicates whether there might be potential financial or academic consequences.

Policy Documents

Effective for modules starting from 1 August 2020

Changing Your Study Plans Policy 2020/21 (PDF, 159KB)

For: All students are in scope except apprentices, Postgraduate research students and students studying Microcredentials.

Previous document versions

Effective for modules starting from 1 August 2019

Changing Your Study Plans Policy 2019/20 (PDF, 185KB)

For: All students are in scope except apprentices, Postgraduate research students and students studying Microcredentials.

Effective for modules starting from 1 August 2018

Changing Your Study Plans Policy 2018/19 (PDF, 456KB)

Information about Deferrals, Withdrawals and Cancellation was brought together to form this single document

Effective for modules starting from 1 August 2016

Cancellation Procedure (PDF, 73KB)

This document explained the procedure you had to follow to defer or withdraw from your studies or to change your choice of module or qualification while this version of the policy was in force.
Deferrals and Withdrawals Policy for the Academic Year 2016/17 and 2017/18 (PDF, 120KB)

Effective for modules starting from 1 August 2012

Cancellation Procedure (PDF, 73KB)

This document explained the procedure you had to follow to defer or withdraw from your studies or to change your choice of module or qualification while this version of the policy was in force.
Deferrals and Withdrawals Policy 2012/13 to 2015/16 (PDF, 152KB)

Please note this policy also applied in the 2016/17 academic year for students resident in England or outside of the UK who were receiving transitional fee arrangements, and also in the 2017/18 academic year for students eligible for an additional year of discounted fees.

For more information about changes to policy, terms and conditions, and curriculum visit the change log.

Student Policies and Regulations

Changing Your Study Plans: Deferrals, Withdrawals and Cancellation

Policy Documents

Effective for modules starting from 1 August 2020

Effective for modules starting from 1 August 2019

Effective for modules starting from 1 August 2018

Effective for modules starting from 1 August 2016

Effective for modules starting from 1 August 2012

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