Suspension, Termination and Resumption of Studies

Not rarely the desire to terminate studies is related not only to the study process but also to the social environment, the ability to combine studies and personal life or work. Vilnius University provides opportunities that can help in different situations, so review them all and discover what is right for you.

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Suspension of Studies

Suspension of studies or academic leave are ways not to terminate studies at the University, but to temporarily suspend them.

If a student is unable to continue their studies due to justified reasons, the head of the core academic unit (faculty) may permit a suspension of studies for up to one year.

Students temporarily unable to continue their studies due to illness, pregnancy, or child care, and who provide appropriate documentation, shall be granted an academic leave. For personal reasons, academic leave may be granted only once during the course of study, for a period of one year. The leave duration is calculated from the date the request is submitted. Upon expiration of this period, the student may submit a request to suspend their studies. Academic leave is granted by the head of the academic department.

The differences between academic leave and study suspension can be seen in the chart below:

	ACADEMIC LEAVE					SUSPENSION OF STUDIES
Circumstance	Personal reasons	Illness	Pregnancy and childbirth	Child care	Compulsory military service	Due to important reasons
For what Period?	Up to 1 year	Up to 2 years	Up to 1 year	For the period specified by law up to 3 years	Up to 1 year	Up to 1 year
Is there an Option to Extend?	No	Yes, medical certificate required	Yes, during another pregnancy	Yes, if another child is born	No	Yes, the head of the core academic unit (faculty) takes a final desicion
Where to Apply?	To the core academic unit (faculty) at eStudent platform -> eApplications

Study Termination

Students may terminate their studies under the following conditions:

At the student's request;
Upon expel from the University;
When changing their study programme;
In other specified cases.

For students admitted from 2009 onwards in state-funded degree and non-degree programmes, terminating studies at their request may require reimbursement of a portion of the programme fee to the state budget. This process, mediated by the University, is administered by the State Studies Foundation.

Exemptions from repayment apply to students who:

Voluntarily terminate their studies during the first semester of their bachelor's or integrated studies.
Complete a semester on time, without academic debts, and notify the University in writing of their decision to terminate their studies before the beginning of the new semester.
Submit a termination request during academic leave due to illness, pregnancy, childbirth, or parental leave, and in other cases.

Students may be expelled from the University due to:

Poor academic performance;
Academic dishonesty during studies;
Failure to meet financial obligations;
Other specified reasons.

Refund of Study Voucher

State budget funds allocated for tuition fees in state-funded study places, or a part thereof, must be refunded to the state budget if students voluntarily terminate their studies. Exceptions apply if bachelor's or integrated studies are terminated during the first semester of the first year. From 2015 onwards, second-cycle (master's degree) students who terminate their studies in the first semester of the first year must refund the tuition fee for that semester. Those admitted to higher education institutions before this regulation will follow the previous rules. Refunds are also required if students are expelled under university regulations.

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Resumption or Continuation of Studies

If you have been on academic leave, have suspended or discontinued your studies, and wish to return to them, you may continue or resume your studies.

Continuation of Studies

You may continue your studies after a suspension of studies or an academic leave of absence.

Therefore, you must complete the application form “Regarding the Resumption of Studies (after a suspension of studies / academic leave of absence)” in the “eStudentas” system no later than 14 calendar days after the end of your academic leave of absence. If the University requires additional information, the administration of the relevant academic unit (faculty) will contact you personally.

Resumption of Studies

If your studies have been interrupted, you can resume them, but it is important to meet the requirements listed below. To inquire about resuming your studies, please contact the administration of your home academic unit (faculty) at Vilnius University.

Studies may be resumed if:

the student has fully completed the study plan for the first semester of the university’s first- or second-cycle degree program or integrated degree programme and has no outstanding financial obligations to the University;
the differences between the study programme the person has completed and the one they intend to pursue amount to no more than 15 credits, and the validity periods for the assessment of learning outcomes established by the Councils of the academic departments have not expired.

Differences in courses (modules) resulting from minor changes to the study program may be resolved within one year of resuming studies. These differences are not considered academic debts. If a student has more than 15 credit hours of course (module) differences, they must resolve these differences before resuming their studies. The head of the academic core unit determines which courses (modules) in a study programme that have undergone minor changes require students to pass (or retake) exams or tests when resuming their studies in that programme.

The councils of the core academic units may establish additional conditions for the renewal of studies.

A student who has studied in both a primary degree programme and a minor field programme and has withdrawn from one or both may resume studies in both programmes. The decision to reinstate a student in a minor programme is made by the associate dean for academic affairs of the academic unit offering the programme. You may also renew your enrollment only in the main study programme by selecting the missing modules, that is, by taking courses (modules) from your main field of study, other fields, or individual study programmes.

A person expelled from the university for serious violations of the principle of academic integrity may submit a request to resume studies no earlier than one year after the date of expulsion and only after having made up all course (module) deficiencies.

A person wishing to resume their studies must submit an application to the academic unit offering the study programme in which they wish to resume their studies no later than 5 days before the start of the new semester.

The programme is resumed on a non-government-funded basis; however, if a government-funded spot becomes available during the course of study, the student may apply for it.

The semester from which a student is permitted to resume their studies depends on the portion of the programme they have already completed and the correspondence between the courses (modules) in that programme and those in the programme to which they are admitted to continue their studies.

Tips for a Successful Return to Studies

Sometimes it can be difficult to return to University after a long period of time, so here are some strategies and tips for a successful return to the University

Involve the right people in your decision to go back to studies

When you made the decision to suspend your studies, or take academic leave, you did so because of certain challenges or circumstances. Evaluate whether they solved it? If not, or it have resolved in part, it is worth considering your decision to return with University consultants. They can help plan how to return to study and get the help you need to deal with any difficulties you may have. Otherwise, there is a risk that you will have to take leave again or suspend your studies after the semester for the same unresolved reasons.

Take an interest in the services of a career counsellor at Vilnius University, talk to a mentor, ask about the possibilities to continue or renew your studies as an academic counsellor in your core academic unit (faculty). If you feel that you need not only professional advice, but also psychological support, the University employs psychologists who help students solve problems on a daily basis.

Plan your time and coordinate it with relatives / employer

Going back to study in your life means that part of the time you have devoted to someone else will now be devoted to learning. Assess whether you will have the opportunity to appoint more time to learn. An academic counsellor can help to objectively assess how long the studies will take. Be realistic – you will also need to fall asleep and rest. Start with your agenda right now: activities and commitments available, including everyday things like lunch, sleep, and more. Supplement the agenda with lectures and time for self-study. Remember, no matter how ambitious the goals, there are still the same 24 hours a day, so setting a new agenda may require you to give up some current activities or spend less time on them. When you put together a new agenda, share it with loved ones and your employer. This will help them understand when you are free, discuss with your employer how you can combine study and work, and help you stay on schedule.

Take advantage of help during your studies

Often students who have had a break from their studies have difficulty returning to study because they are re-experiencing the process of adaptation they have already experienced in the first year at the University. Again, everything seems new, unfamiliar, and when the environment evokes more negative than positive emotions, it can be even harder to focus on learning. To make it easier for you to get involved and get involved in community life, talk about it with a career counsellor, find out about additional activities at the University, meet with a mentor.

Start studying before the lectures begin

When returning to studies after a break, it is highly recommended to review old lecture notes, textbooks from the required literature before starting your studies, as new topics will be taught assuming that you have already mastered the material from previous courses. It will be much easier to master the new material if you also take a look at the compulsory literature for the new semester. Studying before you start studying can be a great way to check how your agenda looks in practice. It will also help to notice patterns of ineffective study before the session begins, when it becomes much more difficult to make a change in yourself. Pay attention to times when you are too tired to study for other commitments and reposition the agenda so that it is not so stressful.

Make new relationships at Vilnius University

It is important not just to turn to career counsellors, mentors, or academic counsellors. Get acquainted with the widest possible circle of students, your classmates, contact the leader of the academic group, as your attitude will enrich the group, and their knowledge of studies and ways of studying will help you to enter the study process faster. If you’re starting a new course unit, don’t be afraid if you’re the only one asking during lectures. Initiate a discussion and sooner or later, others will join it. Also get involved in the activities of Vilnius University Students' Representation and other clubs, societies and associations.

Although you may have a natural desire to communicate only with your current circle of acquaintances, note that the University offers an invaluable opportunity to establish relationships. Your course friends may become your employees, employers, colleagues, partners, customers, or service providers in the near future. So find the strength and motivation to step out of the safe comfort zone and take the time to make new acquaintances.