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About Student Withdrawals
Ulster University is responsible for monitoring and reporting changes to sponsored students’ academic status, as this may affect their Student visa. In certain circumstances, the University is required to withdraw immigration sponsorship.
There are many situations under which the university may withdraw their sponsorship of a student visa, these include (but are not limited to):
- The sponsored student has been withdrawn from their course due to a lack of engagement
- The sponsored student has not achieved the academic outcomes necessary for progression on their programme of study, for example,by not achieving a passing grade in modules
- The sponsored student is unable to meet financial obligations regarding their student fees
- The sponsored student plans to take a leave of absence
- The sponsored student has breached university policies and has been found liable of an incident/s of student misconduct
- The sponsored student has completed their course earlier than anticipated
If you are a student who is concerned about the status of your Student visa sponsorship, the International Student Advisory Service has compiled a list of FAQs to help ensure you have access to clear and accurate information.
FAQ on Withdrawals
The university will take proactive steps to notify students if their sponsorship is at risk and will offer support to help prevent sponsorship withdrawal. For example, if ill health prevents a student from attending classes, they may be advised to consider taking a leave of absence.
If a student is no longer able to meet the conditions of their stay, the university is legally responsible for withdrawing their immigration sponsorship. The university will report the sponsorship withdrawal to the UKVI and notify the student of the decision by email.
When immigration sponsorship is withdrawn the Home Office will take the following actions:
- If a student has more than 60 days remaining on their current visa, the Home Office will curtail (shorten) the visa;
- The Home Office will contact the student by letter or email to confirm the curtailment of their current visa, and will give the student a date by which they must leave the UK;
- If the student has less than 60 days remaining on their current visa, the Home Office will expect them to leave the UK before the visa end date;
You are responsible for ensuring that you comply with the conditions of the visa granted to you to study in the UK. If you are withdrawn, it is your responsibility to ensure the following:
- Keep your contact details up to date: You must ensure that the contact details on your UKVI account are always correct and current. If you change your mobile phone number, email address, or postal address, you must update this information on your UKVI account and on Ulster University systems (such as Banner).
Failure to do so may result in you missing official curtailment notices from the Home Office, which could lead to overstaying your visa. This may negatively impact your immigration history and any future visa applications. - Seek immigration advice if remaining in the UK: If you decide to remain in the UK after the University has withdrawn your immigration sponsorship, you are responsible for arranging independent immigration advice with a specialist to discuss your visa options.
- Leaving the UK: If you leave the UK after your sponsorship has been withdrawn, your visa will automatically expire on the date you leave, even if this is before the end of the 60‑day curtailment period.
- Re‑entering the UK: You must not use the same visa to return to the UK after leaving,.
If you complete your course earlier than the end date stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), the University is required to report your early completion to the Home Office. As a result, the University will withdraw its immigration sponsorship, and your visa will be curtailed to the appropriate wrap‑up period.
During the wrap‑up period, it is your responsibility to either:
- Make plans to leave the UK, or
- Apply for alternative immigration permission, such as the Graduate Route visa, if you are eligible.
Example: You may be studying a four‑year undergraduate degree that includes a placement year. If you later decide to remove the placement year and instead complete your final academic year earlier, your course end date will change. In this situation, you would normally be granted the wrap‑up period from the new course end date, rather than from the original end date listed on your CAS.
The University is permitted to provide advice and guidance only on the Student Visa category, in line with our Student Visa sponsor licence conditions. You will need to seek independent immigration advice to explore any alternative immigration permission you may be eligible to apply for. You can find a list of registered immigration advisors here.
If you need legal advice, you can contact:
- The Law Society of Northern Ireland is where you can find solicitors who can provide immigration advice
- The Law Centre can provide free, independent and specialised legal advice
If you have been withdrawn from your course, you are no longer a registered student at the university, and you cannot avail of any of its specialist services, including those provided by Student Wellbeing. However, you can access free independent advice from the Ulster University Students' Union (UUSU).
Many support services are available to you free of charge within the community, including your GP services.
If you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health or emotional well-being, support is available from the following organisations.
- Samaritans: This organisation provides confidential emotional support services 24 hours a day for individuals experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
- Lifeline: This is Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline, which provides support to people of all ages, genders, races, religions, disabilities, and sexual orientations.
If you are experiencing financial distress and require essential items (for example, food and personal hygiene products), you can avail of support from the following organisations:
- Simon Community: This organisation work with individuals who are at risk, or experiencing, homelessness.
- Welcome Organisation: This organisation helps people affected by homelessness.
- People’s Kitchen Belfast: This organisation provides food, support and signposting for those experiencing homelessness in Belfast.
- Foyle Food Bank: This organisation provides food, support and signposting for those experiencing homelessness in Derry~Londonderry
- Causeway Food Bank:This organisation provides food, support and signposting for those experiencing homelessness in the Causeway area.
- You can find information on where to find free period products across Northern Ireland.
Appealing an academic decision
If you appeal an academic decision that led to changes to your student status and your appeal is unsuccessful, the University will continue to withdraw its visa sponsorship. Should your appeal be successful sponsorship will remain and all university support services will be available to you.
Returning to the UK
If you return to the UK after your visa has been curtailed, we expect that the Border Officer will not allow you to enter the UK and you will have to return home. This refusal will form a permanent part of your immigration history and you will have to disclose it on all future visa applications to the UK.
When you are refused entry, the University will not be able to intervene. However, we may in some circumstances, be able to offer you support and guidance to apply for a new entry clearance visa to re-enter the UK at a later stage.
