A suspension of studies is when you take a voluntary and temporary pause in your studies.
If you are a Bachelor’s or Master’s student you can suspend your studies for several reasons, including:
- enrolment in a degree programme at a non-italian university: the length of the period of suspension should match the time required to complete the programme of study and should be no less than one academic year;
- enrolment in a specialization course, Ph.D programme or 1st/ 2nd level Specializing Master’s programme: the length of the period of suspension should match the time required to complete the programme of study and should be no less than one academic year;
- enrolment at a military academy;
- mandatory military service or civilian service: the suspension is granted for the academic year in which the service takes place;
- maternity/paternity: the suspension is granted for year in which the child is born or the next year;
- Prolonged hospitalization or serious and persistent health problems of the student or of a family member.
When you return from suspension, you must justify the motivations for suspending your studies with relevant supporting documents.
A suspension of studies must be requested during the academic year preceding the suspension. As a consequence, you must not re-enrol for the academic year for which you are requesting a suspension.
You can request a suspension of studies even if you have already enrolled in the new academic year only for maternity/paternity, prolonged hospitalization or serious and persistent health problems.
You can request a suspension only one time during the course of your studies if this is granted on the grounds of enrolment in another course or military/civilian service; on the contrary, there are no limitations if a suspension is motivated by maternity/paternity or serious health problems.
If you are a first-year student, a suspension of studies can be granted only on the grounds of maternity/paternity or serious health problems.
A suspension of studies interrupts your academic progress: during the period of suspension you cannot attend any courses, take any exams, prepare for your Final Examination etc...
Any certificate issued by the Office of the University Registrar will mention the period of suspension, but not its motivation.
How to apply for a suspension of studies
A request for a suspension of studies must be made using the specific application form (accompanied by a revenue stamp). The request must be addressed to the Rector and submitted to the Office of the University Registrar or Office of Student Services.
Resuming your studies If you want to return to Politecnico and resume your studies after a suspension:- go to Office of the University Registrar;
- enrol for the current academic year (please check the deadlines in the academic calendar);
- submit your Resumption of studies application form;
- attach any relevant supporting documents to your application: certificate of course attendance, child birth certificate or medical certificate;
- your previous academic records must be evaluated by the competent Department. If you suspended your studies because you enrolled in another course or degree programme, you are entitled to ask for the recognition of the credits you earned during the period of suspension;
- pay a fee of 100 € and attach the payment receipt to your application. This amount of money will be deducted from your tuition fees when you re-enrol at Politecnico; otherwise, if eventually you decide not to enrol, this fee will not be refunded.