Study Breaks for Online Master's Students
Distance learning Online Masters Students are entitled to take study breaks. A study break is a short pause in your studies for a set 8 week period of time which equates to the length of one 15 credit module.
When a study break is granted, you will not engage in any studies or assessments associated with modules running at that time. You may, however, wish to use a study break as an opportunity to catch up with reassessments from other modules.
Online Masters Students may request a study break for a number of reasons, such as:
- Health
- Personal or domestic problems
- Bereavement
- Financial difficulties
- Work
- No modules available to select (Academically enforced Study Break)
Please note If you have a serious problem affecting your current and future study plans or coursework please contact Student Services on 01782 734481 or email student.services@keele.ac.uk
You need to complete the online eVision study break request form. This is found in your eVision account in the Courses and Modules section. If you do not request a study break, you will be expected to engage with the next module.
The form will ask you to complete the following:
Dates: The dates of the forthcoming study period will be automatically populated. You will therefore be unable to make backdated study break requests beyond the 7th day of the current study period. Additionally, the task will only open for future study periods 7 weeks prior to their commencement.
Reason: Please provide a reason for your study break request.
Taking a study break will impact your expected course completion date. You are encouraged to check when any missed modules will next be delivered before proceeding with your study break request. Module occurrence varies from once to six times an academic year.
If you have any queries, we encourage you to discuss your intention of taking a study break with your School so that they can ensure you are fully aware of any implications this might have and make sure you are aware of all the support that is available to you. Your School can review your programme trajectory with you and advise on future module delivery, including ensuring that you do not exceed your maximum enrolment duration. For Online Masters programmes the maximum enrolment duration is five years for Part Time students and four years for Full Time students.
Part Time students are entitled to take a maximum of six study breaks during their time registered on the programme and no more than two consecutively. Longer periods of absence require students to apply for a leave of absence.
If you apply for a study break because you have already completed all available modules, your request will be deemed as an academically enforced study break. Academically enforced study breaks do not count towards the maximum study break limit, nor does any restriction on consecutive requests apply. Please ensure you indicate you are applying for an Academic enforced study break within the reason field on your online eVision Study Break request form.
Should you be required to take an academically enforced study break for longer than 8 weeks, a Leave of Absence may be more appropriate.
You will be automatically returned to fully enrolled status on the conclusion of your study break and sent a confirmation email. Please remember to select a module for the next study period prior to resuming your studies.