WITHDRAWAL

This page serves as an information source for all UCD students relating to Withdrawing from a programme

What is a Withdrawal?

Withdrawal is where a student leaves their programme of study permanently and ends all activity associated with their studies before they have completed the programme for which they are registered.

UCD recognises that for a variety of reasons a student may need to withdraw from their programme and the University. It further recognises that in some cases a student may, at a later date, apply for re-admission to the programme

Talk and get advice in UCD before making any decision - very important!
Don't leave it - the sooner you speak with someone the more support UCD can give you.

Withdrawing from a programme is not the only option available to you. Before taking any decisions about your studies you should talk to someone directly to get advice - for example your Student Advisor, Programme Office, Graduate School. There are other options that may be open to you including for example a Leave of Absence. A leave of absence is an extended period of time away from the programme of study. This is requested by the student and approved by the relevant Programme Board/Graduate School Board. The purpose of a leave of absence is to enable and facilitate a student to take an approved and specified period of time off before returning and completing the programme. For comprehensive information on taking a Leave of Absence visit http://www.ucd.ie/leaveofabsence/

  • Options to consider other than a Withdrawal or a Leave of Absence 0
  • Some Implications to Consider 0
  • Some other points to note if you are considering withdrawing 0
  • How do I Withdraw? 0

Your options

Extenuating Circumstances
If a student is considering withdrawing due to extenuating circumstances they should refer to the Student Guide to the Policy on Extenuating Circumstances (students on undergraduate and graduate taught programmes) or Policy on Theses in Graduate Research Programmes (students on graduate research programmes).

Financial assistance
If a student is considering withdrawing due to financial difficulties or hardship, they should contact their Student Adviser to see if they are eligible for financial assistance. Students may also contact the Students' Union Welfare Officer for information on financial assistance. However, the Student Welfare Fund and Student Assistance Fund cannot be used for tuition fees and cannot be used by someone who is not a registered student.

First year withdrawal (deferral)
Undergraduate programmes:
Students admitted through the CAO should contact UCD Admissions (http://www.ucd.ie/registry/admissions/contactus/) or refer to https://myucd.ucd.ie/programme_info/gen_reg.ezc#defer if they wish to defer their place.

Graduate programmes:
Applicants to UCD graduate programmes who wish to defer a place they have been offered should contact their Programme Office/School Office to see if this is permissible. Information is also available at http://www.ucd.ie/apply/grad_taught_apps.html

Some Implications to Consider

Fees implications of withdrawing
Students remain liable for fees up to the date that they officially withdraw from the University. Visit http://www.ucd.ie/registry/adminservices/fees/withdrawing_from_a_course.htm for fees implications. Information on refunds can be accessed at http://www.ucd.ie/registry/adminservices/fees/refunds.htm.

Campus Entitlement Implication of withdrawing
Where a student has withdrawn from their programme of study they are not entitled to use the facilities of the campus. This includes, for example, Health Services, the Library, UCD Residences and Blackboard.

Student status and registration
When a student notifies the University that they are withdrawing from their programme, their registration is terminated and they are no longer a student of the University (effective from the date on which they formally submit the withdrawal notification form to their Programme Office/ Graduate School Office).

Grants and payments under grants
If a student receives external funding, including grants, and they intend to withdraw from their programme, they should consult with the sponsoring/funding agency e.g. county council, hospital, after they have spoken to their Programme Office/School Office.
a. Continuous registration is a requirement of stipendiary scholarships as per the Revenue Commissioners. Normally this means that a student will not receive grant payments when they have withdrawn.
b. Where a student withdraws they may be asked to return some or all of the monies received under the grant scheme pertinent to them.

Immigration issues
An international student with a residence permit from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is advised to consult with the International Student Adviser prior to withdrawing. The validity of a GNIB residence permit may be affected by college registration status.

Some other points to note if you are considering withdrawing

  • You do not need permission to withdraw but must notify your Programme Board/Graduate School Board in writing on the official UCD Form of your intention to withdraw.
  • You remain liable for fees up to the date on which you formally submit the form to the Programme Office/Graduate School and the date recorded on the form by that office.
  • You should return your student card with the official notification form
  • If you do not formally notify the University that you are withdrawing, this will have a negative impact on your fees status, transcript and re-admission applications

How do I Withdraw?

Note that a new UCD Withdrawal Procedure and Form have taken effect from the start of January 2012. These were approved by Academic Council on 8 December 2011.

For the full procedure visit http://www.ucd.ie/registry/academicsecretariat/wd_procedure.pdf

For the form click here.