Interruption allows students to take an authorised break in their studies, normally from the end of one term, for one calendar year. For example, a student who interrupts during the Lent term would be expected to re-register for his/her programme at the beginning of the Lent term the following year.
Students who have received full tuition for the year may want to consider Deferring| their examinations.
You should discuss the options with your Academic Adviser or Supervisor before making the decision to interrupt your studies. Requests to interrupt studies will usually only be considered on the basis of medical or extenuating circumstances.
If you decide to interrupt in the middle of a term, you should discuss with your Academic Adviser or Supervisor whether you should continue that term to the end and interrupt from the beginning of the next term, or interrupt immediately and backdate the interruption to the beginning of that term.
Submitting an Interruption Form
Students who wish to interrupt their studies should print off the form "Interruption of registration" (PDF)|, (Word)|, or collect it from the browser wall in the Student Services Centre (SSC). The form should be completed and signed by the student, the student's Academic Adviser or Supervisor and the Departmental Tutor or Programme Director, then returned (by the student) to the SSC.
Please note that second interruptions are only approved in exceptional circumstances. Any requests for second interruptions will be passed to the relevant Dean for consideration.
Confirmation
After the form is submitted to the Student Services Centre, you might be contacted by one of the members of staff to confirm and discuss your decision. Subsequently, the form will be submitted for processing. If your application is successful, you will receive an email confirmation of your interruption within 3 working days from that date (except during the main registration period in September/October, when it may take longer).
Undergraduates
If you wish to apply for repeat teaching from the beginning of the year, you will need to make an application for repeat tuition to the Student Progress Panel. Please email the Student Progress Panel team for more information: ug-spp@lse.ac.uk|. Repeat teaching is not normally granted unless there is a valid reason that you did not benefit from this in the previous session.
MPhil and PhD Students
MPhil / PhD research students should see the page Interrupting an MPhil/PhD programme| for advice on interrupting their registration.
Fees
Students are not required to pay fees during an approved interruption period. If you have been granted permission to interrupt your studies from the Lent term or the Summer term, then you will be charged fees for the term(s) you have already completed.
Students recommencing their studies after an approved interruption period will be charged the fees effective at the time.
Library Access & Student Status During Interruption
While on an approved interruption of studies, students may have access-only to the Library and may keep their LSE email account. If you wish to borrow books from the Library during your interruption you should contact your academic department to get permission to do this. However, interrupting students may not stay in university accommodation and are not entitled to a Transport For London student-rate Oyster Card.
For further advice on interrupting a programme, please use the Registry web queries| form.