If you wish to undertake data collection or conduct research away from the University you must gain support from your academic supervisor or course leader. You must then submit a request in writing to Academic Registry using the online Request for Authorisation of Absence form.

You must provide details such as the location of study, the reasons why you wish to study away from the University and the period of time you intend to be away. This should be in the form of a dissertation/project proposal signed by your academic supervisor or course leader.

A request will be considered, subject to you meeting the following requirements:

• You have demonstrated satisfactory attendance and academic progress;
• There is no outstanding debt to the University of South Wales;
• The Study Away period is not within the first five months of the course;
• The Study Away period is not longer than three calendar months (per academic year).

You are expected to be in regular contact with your academic supervisor and your campus administration team whilst you are away from the University  and should submit a Study Away Record of Attendance proforma every 7 days. After 28 days, you must ask your academic supervisor/course leader to sign the form to confirm that you are engaging with your supervision arrangements.

If you are an international student studying on a Tier 4 visa, you will still be expected to adhere to the University‘s Tier 4 attendance monitoring procedures. Your information will be updated on the University’s attendance monitoring system (SEAtS) and student management information system (Quercus).

Submitting a Study Away - Record of Attendance proforma every 7 days for the duration of your study time away, will act as your attendance scan. If you are travelling overseas, you should receive a letter confirming the purpose of your trip in case you are asked for evidence by UKVI personnel when you re-enter the UK. You must return once your period of study away is complete. Your campus administrators will update your record on the University’s attendance monitoring system (SEAtS) upon receipt of your completed proforma. You will be expected to provide evidence of your outbound and return flights. You must return to the UK by the date agreed by Academic Registry.

Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in withdrawal from your course and the University will cease Tier 4 sponsorship. Consequently, your visa will be subject to curtailment procedures and you will be expected to leave the UK immediately. 

Further information about your responsibilities as a Tier 4 sponsored student can be found by visiting the following link: https://intadvice.southwales.ac.uk/immigration-advice-home/points-based-system-and-tier-4-responsibilities/

Postgraduate taught students who are writing up may be permitted to complete and submit their dissertation away from the University.

You must gain support from your academic supervisor or course leader and submit a request to complete and/or submit their dissertation away from the University in writing to Academic Registry using the online Request for Authorisation of Absence form. You must provide details such as the location of study, the reasons why you wish to study away from the University and the period of time you intend to be away. This should be in the form of a dissertation/project proposal signed by your academic supervisor or course leader.

You are expected to be in regular contact with your academic supervisor and your campus administration team whilst you are away from the University. It is not essential but considered good practice for you to submit a Study Away Record of Attendance proforma to your academic supervisor on a regular basis to evidence your continued engagement and progress.

If you are an international student studying on a Tier 4 visa, the University will withdraw Tier 4 sponsorship, the UKVI will be informed and your visa will be subject to curtailment procedures. You will not be permitted to return to the UK using your Tier 4 visa, so if you wish to return to the UK to attend graduation, you must apply for entry clearance as a general visitor. You will be expected to provide evidence of your outbound flight and your entry stamp once you have left the UK. Further information and guidance can be found by visiting the following link: https://intadvice.southwales.ac.uk/immigration-advice-home/visitor-visas/