Leave and withdrawal of studies
Find out how to take a leave or withdraw from studies and what to do if you want to resume your studies. Before leaving or withdrawing, we strongly recommend that you contact your study counsellor or administrator.
Leave (break) from studies
If you have started your studies but would like to take a break, you must always notify the University. This applies regardless of the reason and increases your chances of returning to your studies later.
There are two types of leave from studies. One is approved study leave with a guaranteed place, which requires special reasons. The other is leave where you may only resume studies subject to availability (without a guaranteed place).
Study leave with a guaranteed place
You may be granted a leave of absence with the right to resume your studies:
- for programmes and individual courses
- for a fixed period
- only if there are special reasons
You need to apply for leave before your planned start date. Your leave can only begin if your department (or equivalent) has approved your application in writing.
It is up to each faculty, department, or equivalent to determine what constitutes a special reason. Special reasons can be social, medical or other circumstances, such as childcare, military duty or student union assignments.
Leave without a guaranteed place
If you do not have special reasons, you may still take a break from your studies. In this case, you are not guaranteed a place when you wish to return and may only resume your studies subject to availability.
No written documentation is required, but notifying the University of your leave may improve your chances of returning. Therefore, it is important that you always inform the University.
How to apply for or notify a leave of absence
You apply for or notify a leave of absence to the responsible department. The process may vary between departments. Information specific to your programme or course can be found further down the page.
Studying on a residence permit?
Keep in mind that The Swedish Migration Agency may revoke your residence permit if you no longer meet the conditions for it, for example if you stop studying.
if the conditions for the permit are no longer met, such as if you are no longer studying.
The Swedish Migration Agency: Residence permit for studies in higher education
Withdrawal (non-completion) from studies
If you have decided not to complete a programme or course that you have started, you must register a non-completion of studies. This means that you withdraw from your studies and do not plan to continue the studies at a later date.
How you report the withdrawal, and your possibilities of resuming studies if you change your mind, depend on whether:
- The education has been ongoing for more or less than three weeks.
- You are studying a programme or course.
Early withdrawal within three weeks
If you discontinue your studies within three weeks of the start date (and have not passed any examinations), this counts as rejecting your offer of a place. Your registration is removed, and that you can apply for the education again and compete for a new place.
Withdrawal from a course
If you decide to withdraw from a course, you will not be able to reapply for the education. If you change your mind, it may in some cases be possible to resume your studies, but only if there are available places.
How to register non-completion of course
You register a non-completion in Ladok:
- Go to the course on the Ladok homepage
- Click “Show more”
- Select “I no longer wish to attend”. If this option is not available, contact the department where you are studying.
Withdrawal from programme studies
If you wish to withdraw from your studies on a programme, a withdrawal will also be reported for all uncompleted courses within the programme. If you wish to complete a programme course, you must therefore do so before you withdraw from the programme.
If you want to resume your programme studies, you can apply for the programme again via antagning.se / universityadmissions.se. Alternatively, you can contact the department and apply to resume your studies, subject to availability.
How to register non-completion of programme
You report your wish to withdraw from the programme studies directly to the responsible department. More information can be found further down on the page.
Deferment of studies
If you are admitted to a study programme but cannot start your studies this semester, you can apply for a deferment. If you are granted a deferment, it means that you can postpone the start of your studies to a later time.
Resuming your studies
If you have been granted a leave from studies with a guaranteed place, the decision will state when your studies are to be resumed. It also explains when and how registration for further studies must be made.you should apply yo continue your studies.
If you have not been granted permission to resume your studies after a break, there is no guarantee that you can return. In this case, you may only resume your studies subject to availability. The responsible department can provide more information.