In this section

The information below is for:

  • Foundation year students,
  • Undergraduate students (Tripos)
  • Students on the following postgraduate courses:
  • MASt degrees in all subjects,
  • MBA and EMBA,
  • LLM and MCL
  • One year masters courses including MAcc; MMus; March; MFin
  • PGCE
  • Bachelor of Medicine, Vetinary Medicine or Surgery;
  • Bachelor of Theology for Ministry

The Examination Access and Mitigation Committee (EAMC) considers applications for intermission from undergraduate and certain postgraduate students. The EAMC’s ‘Guidance for intermission and disregarding terms for other purposes’ provides information relating to applications for intermission and is referred to throughout this guide. The official guidance notes can be found here.

Guidance notes on the intermission process for Postgraduate students are available on the Cambridge Students pages.

 

What is Intermission?

 

Intermission gives you an approved break from your studies if you're dealing with illness or serious personal issues. The purpose of intermission is to provide students with time away from their studies, helping them recover and avoid academic disadvantage due to illness or other serious difficulties. 

Intermission usually lasts for a year, and you’ll typically return at the start of the same term you left—unless academic reasons allow for an earlier return.

In some cases, there is a need to 'disregard terms', meaning the time you spent on the course doesn’t count toward your academic standing. This helps ensure you still meet the requirements for your degree. Your college will apply for this on your behalf if needed.

Even if your terms are disregarded to make you eligible for exams, it still counts that you were in residence, met attendance requirements, and paid your fees.

Criteria

Intermission or disregarding terms is only allowed if a student faces illness or serious personal circumstances.

  • It cannot be used for jobs, internships, or planned opportunities.

  • Engineering students on industry placements must use their Faculty Board process instead.

  • Intermission is taken in whole terms, usually for one academic year.

  • It can also be for a calendar year or another period, if the Faculty/Department agrees that returning mid-year is academically possible.

  • Students can have up to three years total of intermission/disregarded terms.

  • Disregarded terms normally cannot exceed three terms (one year).

Applications after the year has started:

  • The College must confirm if any submitted work should be carried forward.

  • This request should be included with the application and is not automatically approved.

Repeating teaching:

  • Students may only repeat a completed term if there are strong academic reasons.

Disciplinary procedures:

  • Intermission cannot be used to avoid disciplinary action.

  • Students may intermit while a disciplinary process is ongoing.

  • Applications to repeat teaching (via disregarding terms) can only be considered after the disciplinary process is complete.
     

Retrospective Intermission

If a student fails their examinations because of illness or another grave cause, but did not apply for an exam allowance at the time, they may request a retrospective intermission if the student had been impacted during their studies by illness or grave cause and had not disclosed this information to college for a valid and evidenced reason.

If retrospective intermission is approved:

  • The student may return in the following academic year, or after an additional period of intermission (if granted).

  • The student must repeat at least one full term of study (and possibly more).

  • The student must re-sit all assessments scheduled in the relevant terms.

  • Guidance on exam allowances can be found here 

 

What is illness or grave cause?

Intermission may be granted when a student experiences illness or grave cause that is:

  • Serious in nature

  • Unexpected and not planned for

  • Completely beyond the student’s control

  • Close in time to an assessment

  • Supported by contemporaneous evidence from an independent, appropriately qualified professional

Although intermission is usually granted for illness or grave cause, there are exceptional circumstances where some legally mandated, anticipated events require an intermission, for example, required military service. Applications may also be made regarding activites that are highly exceptional and cannot be deferred. For anticipated circumstances, applications must be submitted in advance. Approval is not guaranteed, and if an application is refused, the student may be unable to resume study.

 

Examples of illness or grave cause

The following is a list of examples that are likely to be accepted:

  • worsening of an ongoing illness or disability, including mental health conditions;
  • symptoms of an infectious disease that could be harmful if passed on to others;
  • death or significant illness of a close family member or friend;
  • unexpected caring responsibilities for a family member or dependant;
  • significant personal or family crises leading to acute stress;
  • witnessing or experiencing a traumatic incident;
  • a crime which has had a substantial impact on the student;
  • accommodation crisis such as eviction or the home becoming uninhabitable

The following examples are unlikely to be accepted:

  • holidays, house moves or other planned or expected events;
  • minor illness such as common colds or hay fever;
  • poor time management;
  • minor transport disruption;
  • minor life events, unless the circumstances have had a disproportionate impact 
  • the impact of a University sanction, including an academic penalty, as a result of academic misconduct or another breach of the University’s Rules of Behaviour;
  • jury duty, instead students should apply to undertake jury duty during the long vacation

Evidencing illness or grave cause

To be granted an exam allowance, students must provide contemporaneous evidence from an independent, appropriately qualified professional.

Requirements for evidence:

  • Must describe the nature, severity, and impact of the illness or grave cause.

  • Should explain how the condition affected the student’s studies.

  • Where relevant, should include a clear diagnosis from a medical professional.

  • Must cover the period of study affected. Students are expected to use College Nurses, Tutors, welfare staff, or GP services to obtain this.

  • Evidence obtained only after the event, stating the student “reported” being affected, is unlikely to be sufficient.

  • For long-term conditions, existing documentation may be used, but must be supported by contemporaneous evidence of the current impact.

  • Evidence is treated sensitively and confidentially, therefore redacted documents are not accepted.

  • Evidence must come from an independent, qualified source (not family or friends). Examples:

    • Doctor (diagnosis of illness)

    • Nurse (reporting medical symptoms)

    • Accredited counsellor (confirmation of engagement)

    • ADRC (disability assessments or support evidence)

  • If referral to a specialist is delayed for reasons outside the student’s control, this should be stated.

  • Evidence must be in English or accompanied by an official translation (not AI-generated).

  • Checks may be carried out to confirm authenticity.  Any concerns will be referred under the Student Discipline Procedure

 

  1. Implications
  2. Process
  3. Before & After
  4. Personal Statement

 

As intermission is a complete break from your studies, usually away from Cambridge, you may have questions or concerns about the implications of intermitting, such as the impact on accommodation and finances.

For some students, the choice to intermit can be difficult; there are often a number of factors to consider. If you are unsure whether intermission is right for you, you might want to explore alternative options that may be available to you before making a decision. Some of those options could be reasonable adjustments, exam access arrangements or adjusted modes of assessment. Further information on these options can be found here.

 

ACCOMMODATION

If you are a student considering a period of intermission, you may have concerns about where you will live during your break from studies. When students intermit, they are generally required to leave College residence. This would usually mean that a student returns to their permanent home address for their period of intermission.

However, this is not always an option for students. In some exceptional circumstances, students can return to or remain in College accommodation. Exceptional circumstances may include where a student does not have a permanent address beyond their College residence, or where a student is receiving specialist medical treatment in Cambridge that would be sacrificed if they returned to their permanent home address. This is an option that you might wish to explore with your College Tutor.

Where there are no exceptional circumstances, but you wish to remain in Cambridge, the University Accommodation Service might be able to assist you in finding privately rented accommodation, including house shares. To use this service, you would usually need to ask your College for a letter confirming you can access support from the University Accommodation Service during intermission. You can access further information about what the University Accommodation Service offer here.

The national charity Shelter can also provide independent advice and support for anyone experiencing housing issues. You can contact them or get help through their website, which can be found here.

If you have concerns or you are worried about your accommodation choices during intermission, you can contact an Advisor who can provide support and help you explore your options.

FINANCE

If you have concerns about the financial implications of intermission, you could speak with your College Tutor to see if there are any funds available from the College.

You could also discuss with the College when you can expect any refund for accommodation or fees that you may be owed in advance of your intermission and departure from College accommodation.

Further information on finance for intermitting students can be found in our Finance section here.

 

Fee remission

You become liable for fees in any term where you have been in residence for longer than 21 days.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider remitting the fee for a term if you have resided a little over the limit of 21 days before going out of residence and where it is clear that you intend to return to repeat that term.

Fee remission is not usually possible if you apply to disregard terms retrospectively or if you have been in residence for a full term that you are required to repeat.

Further information can be found here.

ACCESS TO COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY

During a period of intermission, you would be expected to take a complete break from your studies. You would, therefore, under most circumstances, no longer have access to any College or University premises or facilities.

This would include social events organised by the College or University as well as sporting events where you would represent the University.

You will remain free to visit the city and friends.

This is to mitigate the possibility of any academic advantage gained from accessing College or University facilities.

There may be some circumstances in which you could continue accessing support from the College and/or University.

If you are required to pass an academic assessment in order to return from intermission, you may be allowed limited access to accommodation or facilities to prepare for this.

You may also be able to access continued support from individuals such as the College Nurse or College Counsellor during a period of intermission.

This is something that could be discussed with your College Tutor before you go to ensure you know what you can and cannot access during intermission.

TIER 4 VISA

If you are an international student, intermission might mean that your visa would no longer be supported by the University. You would therefore be required to leave the UK for your period of intermission.

For more information about visas, you can contact the International Student Office: international.students@admin.cam.ac.uk

 

THE PROCESS

 

Applications for intermission are submitted by email to EAMC@admin.cam.ac.uk by a College on the student’s behalf (via Tutor or wellbeing advisor).

 

Timeframes

Intermission applications should be submitted in the term when a student’s studies were significantly affected by illness or grave cause. They must always be lodged before the start of the Easter Term examinations. The only exception is for retrospective applications, which may be made if the student did not apply at the time but was impacted. In such cases, the application must be submitted within fourteen days of the publication of the student’s exam results.

The application must be complete at the time of submission and the email must include all of the following:

• a completed and signed application form;

• a statement(s) from the College and/or student;

• a completed student declaration form;

• evidence of the medical circumstances or other grave cause;

• the full student support document (SSD), where appropriate, to include the disability information and document sections;

Additionally, for retrospective intermissions:

• any supervision reports available. For courses where supervision reports are not routinely available (e.g. the LL.M.), the College should supply whatever testimony of the student’s industry and ability it can. Supervision reports should be provided in chronological order, most recent first

 

If an error is discovered in an application before it has been considered, the application must be re‑submitted in full. The re‑submission must include an explanation of the error and why the application is being re‑submitted.

The date of the re‑submission will determine which meeting the application is reviewed at.

Students can expect their application to be considered at the meeting that follows the relevant submission deadline. The outcome will normally be sent to the College within ten working days of that meeting. 

APPLICATION SUBMISSION DATES

The EAMC meet at certain points throughout the year to consider applications for intermission. The meeting dates can be found on this page.

College and Student Statements

  • When a College submits an application on a student’s behalf, it is expected that the Senior Tutor or Tutorwill provide a statement.

  • The College may highlight any issues it believes should be considered. In some cases, an additional statement from the Director of Studies (DoS) may also be useful.

  • The Committee places particular importance on the quality and care of College statements.

  • Students may also submit a short statement describing how the illness or grave cause has affected them. This should be concise, factual, and clearly linked to the criteria.

  • In certain cases, it may also be necessary to request an exam allowance (such as Allowed to Progress or Reconsideration of Original Result) alongside a period of disregarding terms.

Outcomes:

Once the Committee has made a decision an outcome letter will be sent to the College via email, the College are then responsible for communicating the decision to the student as soon as possible. The student should be provided with a copy of the decision letter.

Outcome letters will normally be issued within ten working days of the Committee meeting at which the application was considered.

Reviewing intermission decisions

Where a student is dissatisfied with the decision in relation to the exam allowance application, a review can be submitted within 14 days of receiving the decision in line with the Procedure for the Review of Decisions of University Bodies.

Requests for review can only be made on set grounds: procedural irregularities; new evidence that for good reason could not be submitted with the original application; or a belief that the decision is wholly unreasonable. If the student remains dissatisfied following the review outcome, the student may take their case to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.


 

BEFORE YOU GO

As previously highlighted, it is important that you know what conditions need to be met to allow you to return from intermission before you commence a period of intermission.

This is something that could be discussed with your Tutor or Senior Tutor before your application is submitted. It should also be clearly set out in writing at the point at which your application is approved.

If you are still unsure, you could contact your Tutor or Senior Tutor for further information. The Student Advice Service can also provide support.

You should also meet with your Tutor to discuss your return and what can be expected during your absence.

For example, your Tutor should set out what you can and cannot access during intermission. You could discuss at this point whether you can continue to access support from your College Nurse or College Counsellor.

Your Tutor can also discuss with you how often they will be in contact with you.

You may want to prepare for a meeting with your Tutor by listing the questions and concerns you have relating to a period of intermission.

RETURNING

EXTENDING A PERIOD OF INTERMISSION

  • Students may take up to three years of intermission or disregarding terms in total.

  • Intermission is granted one year at a time. Each new application must include evidence showing why an additional period is necessary.

  • After three years, no further intermission or disregarding terms will be allowed, regardless of circumstances. This ensures fairness between students and keeps academic knowledge current.

  • The University has set a clear limit of three years for all students. This replaces the previous system of two years plus a possible “exceptional” third year, removing any perception of subjective decision-making.

  • For some professional courses, the three‑year limit only applies if the relevant professional body also grants an exceptional extension to its time limit. If the body does not allow this, the University cannot approve further intermission.

  • Students who reach the three‑year maximum but are still unable to resume study will be withdrawn from their course

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO BEFORE I RETURN?

Resuming Study

A student cannot resume their studies unless an application to Resume Study has been approved by the Committee. For Guidance and details of the procedure please see here.

  • Students must apply to resume study near the end of their intermission period (disregarded terms), once they are ready to return and have met any conditions set at the start of their intermission.

    • Examples of conditions include: engaging with treatment or providing medical evidence that they are fit to study.

  • The College must submit an application for permission before a student can return. Students cannot resume study without formal approval.

  • An application may also be required if a student has been Allowed to Progress but the Committee has set conditions that must be met before starting the next part of the course.

  • In most cases, students will need to provide evidence of fitness to resume and sustain study.

 

Deadlines for students applying to resume study

The deadline for a college to apply for a student to return for the academic year is 24 August; for the calendar year is 24 November; and for return in the Easter term is 24 March.

  • Applications submitted after these deadlines may not be processed in time.

  • Students cannot resume studies without an approved application.

  • Late applications may result in students being prevented from returning.

  • In some cases, this could lead to withdrawal, especially if:

    • The student was fit to return but did not provide the required information/evidence to the College.

    • The student has already reached the maximum three-year intermission period.

  • Applications requesting a return earlier than the approved date are unlikely to be accepted. This is because the intermission period takes into account both:

    • The student’s personal circumstances.

    • The academic feasibility of rejoining the course.

Guidance for international students

  • International students should apply well before the deadline to allow time for visa processing.

  • Questions about visas should be directed to the International Student Office.

Fee remission

The fee remission process is managed by the Fee Remission Panel. For queries about or how to apply for fee remission, please contact the Secretary of the Fee Remission Panel at feestatusandpolicy@admin.cam.ac.uk with any questions.

 

Arrangements following resuming studies

When a student returns to their studies, there may be conditions imposed on their return (for example, to engage with particular support, or register with a Cambridge GP).

Upon return, students may find that the content of the course and / or examination has changed. No special provision is made for this and the student is expected to comply with the course content and examination as required for that academic year.

International Students

Where an overseas student is returning following a period of disregarding terms, there may be implications for visa requirements. In the first instance the college should contact the International Student Office.

Evidence of fitness to resume study

  • When the Committee allows a student to take time out (disregard terms), it usually sets conditions for returning.

  • Before coming back, the student must provide evidence that these conditions have been met, and this must be submitted by the deadlines above.

  • The conditions and deadlines will have been explained to the student at the time intermission was granted. The College should also state what support or facilities will be available to help the student meet these conditions.

  • It is the student’s responsibility to gather and provide the required evidence in time for the College to submit it. If delays occur for reasons outside the student’s or College’s control, this should be explained.

  • Evidence is handled confidentially and only seen by those making decisions. Redacted medical evidence cannot be accepted, as full information is needed.

  • Evidence must come from an independent, qualified source (not family or friends). Examples include:

    • Doctor (diagnosis of illness)

    • Nurse (reporting medical symptoms)

    • Accredited counsellor (confirmation of engagement)

    • ADRC (disability assessments or support evidence)

  • If a referral to a specialist has been delayed for reasons beyond the student’s control, this should be noted.

  • Evidence must be in English or accompanied by an official translation (not AI-generated).

  • The Committee may check the authenticity of evidence. If concerns arise, the case will be paused and investigated under the Student Discipline Procedure.

 

Medical evidence

If a student has taken intermission due to illness or medical reasons, they must provide medical evidence to show they are fit to resume and sustain their studies.

  • Who should provide the evidence?

    • Ideally, the same medical professional who made the original diagnosis.

    • If that’s not possible, the current GP or consultant should review the original diagnosis and provide an updated assessment.

  • What the evidence should show (where relevant):

    • Details of any treatment received throughout the intermission.

    • The student’s engagement with that treatment throughout intermission

    • Improvement in health sufficient to return and continue studies.

    • Confirmation that any conditions set by the College or EAMC have been met.

    • Actions taken by the student that demonstrate readiness to resume study.

    • Any ongoing treatment or support needed after returning.

  • Important notes:

    • If the evidence does not cover these points, further documentation may be requested, or the application may be declined.

    • If ongoing medical or psychiatric treatment is required, the Committee must be assured that this can be provided effectively in Cambridge.

    • For disabled students, the Committee expects confirmation that the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) has been informed, so support is in place when studies resume.

Non-medical evidence

  • If a student is returning to study after non-medical mitigating circumstances, the College must provide a letter confirming that those circumstances have been resolved.

  • The College must be confident that the student is ready and able to resume their studies.

  • In some cases, the University or College may set additional non-medical conditions that must be met before a student can return.

    • For example, a student may need to pass a college examination or complete another academic assessment before resuming study after intermission.

Outcomes

Once the Committee has made a decision an outcome letter will be sent to the College via email. Outcome letters will normally be issued within ten working days of the Committee meeting at which the application was considered.

Reviewing resuming study decisions

Where a student is dissatisfied with the decision in relation to resuming study, a review can be submitted within 14 days of receiving the decision in line with the Procedure for the Review of Decisions of University Bodies.

Requests for review can only be made on set grounds: procedural irregularities; new evidence that for good reason could not be submitted with the original application; or a belief that the decision is wholly unreasonable. If the student remains dissatisfied following the review outcome, the student may take their case to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.

 

SUPPORT FROM THE ADRC

Support from the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC):

If you are a disabled student, it might be useful to contact the ADRC in advance of your return.

Consulting with the ADRC can help to ensure that any support you need upon returning from intermission can be put in place.

Any changes to existing health issues or new health issues can also be accommodated by the College and University if communicated in advance of your return.

When you return, you should meet with your College Tutor to discuss any changes that might have happened whilst you were away.

You can use this opportunity to discuss updated adjustments following support from the ADRC. This might be in the form of an SSD or a summary email.

You could also discuss further support that might help you to readjust to University life. This may include support from the College Nurse, Counsellor or Chaplain.

The University Counselling Service (UCS) runs a number of groups and workshops specifically for students returning from intermission. Further information about the workshops and how to book a place can be found on the Student Support web pages. They can also provide individual counselling.

The Student Advice Service are also able to provide support. You can email advice@cambridgesu.co.uk or use our website contact form to make an appointment to speak to an Advisor. Appointments can be conducted in person, over the phone or via video call. Our Advisors are also able to communicate via email, if this is what you would prefer.

Personal Statement

You can submit your own personal statement in support of your application.

Before writing your personal statement, it is important you read the University’s Guidance Notes for Disregarding Terms and/or the information on this page.

Your College Tutor or an Advisor at the Student Advice Service can advise you on the process and answer any questions you may have.

A personal statement is a short piece of writing about yourself and your circumstances in your own words. This is your opportunity to let the University know about your circumstances; how your circumstances have impacted your studies, and may continue to impact your studies, and why intermission would be best for you.

You could consider the following points when writing your personal statement:
 

  • Describe your circumstances and the reason/s for your application for intermission. E.g. illness, family bereavement, financial concerns.

  • Describe how your circumstances have affected, or you anticipate will affect, your ability to study and engage with aspects of your course. E.g. attending supervisions and/or completing work for supervisions, attending lectures, engaging and completing group/project work, studying.

  • Describe how your circumstances affect your day-to-day life and the impact they have had and may continue to have on your wellbeing. E.g. eating, sleeping, concentrating, engaging with your academic and social life, feeling anxious, depressive, etc.

  • Explain how a period of intermission will benefit you in your situation e.g. to give you time to recover, to access support and what support you will access, how this will help you get better, provide a treatment plan if one is available, etc.

  • Explain how long you feel you need for intermission and why you believe this would be long enough.

  • Give details of the support you have sought. E.g. you have shared your circumstances with your Tutor, College Nurse, GP or another medical professional.

  • If you have not sought support and do not have any evidence to provide, it would be a good idea to explain why. If the issue you are experiencing is medical, you could still consider speaking to a medical professional to obtain evidence. You could explain to them what you have been experiencing and ask them to write a letter. A professional opinion from a GP could help to explain how your medical issue impacts your studies, or continues to impact your studies. Any delay in seeking medical evidence could also be explained in this letter.

  • You could give examples to illustrate your situation.

  • Be specific about your extenuating circumstances.

  • Be clear, concise and provide the right amount of detail.

  • Include dates in chronological order to outline your circumstances.

Example of a personal statement

Template for a personal statement