Returning to LSE

following an interruption of studies

Interruption allows students to take an authorised break in their studies for one calendar year

We understand that a break from your studies can be a disruptive, even if it was planned. LSE is here to support you in your return from an interruption of studies. Find out more about what happens below.

How do I know when I will be expected to return to my studies?

The general rule for taught students is as follows:

  • If you have interrupted your studies in Autumn Term, you will be expected to return to your studies in Autumn Term of the following academic year.
  • If you have interrupted your studies in Winter Term, you will be expected to return to your studies in Winter Term of the following academic year. 
  • In some cases for Winter Term interruptions of study, your department may think it is beneficial for you to apply for repeat teaching in the Autumn Term because you did not interrupt soon enough in the previous academic year.  These cases are rare but you may wish to consider this as a possibility. There would be an additional cost if you have repeat teaching approved.
  • For Executive Masters students, it will depend on when you interrupt your studies and when your next teaching block takes place. Correspondence for returning Executive Masters students is managed by your programme team.

Full and part-time degree programmes (non-Executive)

Prior to your return, you will be sent two separate emails by the Student Advice and Engagement Team. 

The first email will be sent at least eight weeks in advance of your return to: 

  • Check if you plan to resume your studies or if there are any ongoing issues which means you may seek an exceptional further interruption or withdrawal from your degree programme;
  • Signpost those students who will need a new CAS and Student visa to resume their studies to the correct information to obtain their visas on time for their return.

The second email will be sent to you by the Student Advice and Engagement Team at the point that online pre-enrolment opens for you.  You can still seek advice on whether a return to your studies is the right option for you at this time, but we would anticipate Student visa holders should already be making progress on their new Student visa application. 

Returning from interruption

If you are returning from interruption in Winter term 2025, online re-enrolment will open from 29 November 2024. The latest date to online re-enrol and campus enrol is 31 January 2025.

  • When you return from a break in your studies, you will have to re-enrol online and attend a campus enrolment session. Once you have completed online re-enrolment and attended campus enrolment, you will be a fully enrolled student. 

    You must complete this process before accessing on campus resources and teaching.
  • If you are due to return from interruption in Winter Term 2024/5, you will receive further information about online re-enrolment and campus enrolment in early December 2024. Please re-enrol as soon as possible after receiving this message. You should campus enrol before attending any in-person teaching, or, if applicable, prior to taking January 2025 in-person assessments. 
  • Campus enrolment for Winter term will start Thursday 2 January 2025 in the Student Services Centre (Connaught House) during counter opening hours. The last day to enrol is 31 January 2025
  • If you are returning to an Executive programme, please check with your Programme Manager for latest information as the return from interruption is managed by your programme team rather than the Student Services Centre. 
  • If you have questions about your re-enrolment, please contact the Student Services Centre via the SSC enquiry form

Online re-enrolment

  • The online re-enrolment process will help to make sure we have up to date and necessary information about you. 
  • You will be sent an email when it is time to re-enrol.
  • When re-enrolling online, you will be asked to confirm your address is correct. Please do take care with this step and make sure that the address shown is up to date. This is a condition of your enrolment. If you need to change your address prior to re-enrolment, or campus enrolment, you can do so using the Address facility in Student LSE for You.
  • For further information about the questions you will be asked, and what to expect when re-enrolling online, please visit the Enrolment and Re-enrolment webpages.

 

Campus Enrolment

  • Campus enrolment is where we check your documents. When you campus enrol we are legally required to check your eligibility to study in the UK. We do this by checking various documents. The documents you'll need vary according to your nationality and immigration status. If you do not bring the appropriate identification documents we will not be able to campus enrol you. Documents must be originals.
  • For details of what you need to bring with you please visit what to bring to campus enrolment. Please remember to check back regularly as the page may be subject to change.
  • Please remember that you will not be able to campus enrol unless you bring all the required in-date original documents with you to campus enrolment.

 

Winter Term 

  • You must campus enrol before attending any in-person teaching, or, if applicable, prior to taking January 2025 in-person assessments.
  • The latest date of enrolment is 31 January 2025.
  • Winter Term students returning from interruption only - please campus enrol at the Student Services Centre counter during normal counter opening hours.

    Please see the Student Services webpage for SSC counter opening hours as these can vary at different points during the academic year.
  • Executive students: please stay in touch with your Programme Manager as they will have the latest information on campus enrolment arrangements.

For further information about the questions you will be asked, and what to expect when re-enrolling online, please visit the Enrolment and Re-enrolment webpages.

LSE Cards

Please remember that your LSE Card is an important piece of identification and should be carried at all times whilst on campus and must not be lent out or shared with others.

  • If your LSE Card is due to expire this year: you can request a new card online at LSE Cards.
  • If your LSE Card card is not due to expire this year: it will be automatically updated for the new academic year. Keep using it as normal until the expiry date approaches. At that point, you can request a new card online at LSE Cards.
  • If your LSE Card is not due to expire, but it was lost, stolen or damaged during your interruption: visit LSE Cards and follow the directions to order a new card. A charge for a replacement may apply.

Course Selection

When you receive your email notification to re-enrol, it will include information about course selection, specific to your level of study (undergraduate/postgraduate). Please ensure that you read this carefully. 

For more information about selecting courses please visit Course Selection.

If there are any issues with your course selections please submit an enquiry

Students with Student Loans Company (SLC) Funding

If you have SLC funding, re-enrolment with LSE will automatically result in your attendance and registration being confirmed with the SLC before the end of October.

This will release your maintenance loan, tuition fee payment to the School and any relevant bursaries.

Fees

You can check your fees on the Table of Fees. For more information about your fees and/or Financial Support, please visit:

You must have cleared any debts before you can re-register. You should contact the Fees, Income and Credit Control Office to make arrangements to clear the debt before attempting to re-enrol.

 

Support Services

You may have taken a break in your studies due to health or wellbeing issues. If this is the case, you are strongly advised to make contact with Student Wellbeing Services as early as possible so that support can be put in place for you as needed. 

You may also wish to speak to LSE LIFE to get support with any academic issues or concerns you may have after a break in your studies.

What happens if I do not return after my interruption of studies as expected?

If you do not re-enrol at the School as expected, your status will change to 'Break Unauthorised' and the School will consider that you are absent without leave (AWOL). You will be contacted by the School to find out why you have not returned, but if you do not respond, you will remain on this status for an academic year.  After this point, you will be withdrawn from your programme by the School.

Any other questions?

If you have any other questions, you may find the answer on the EnrolmentRe-enrolment or Online FAQ webpages.  

If you encounter difficulties re-enrolling online, you may find the answer to your question on the Online FAQ webpage.

If you still cannot find the answer to your question, please contact the Registration team via the SSC online enquiry form