Over the course of your studies here at Cambridge, you will inevitably come up against serious intellectual challenges and obstacles. In some rarer cases, these challenges may threaten your ability to complete your research before your deadline. If this happens to you, you can be assured that there are measures in place to help you deal with any complications:

• An intermission - or a temporary, extended break from study
• Permission to work away from Cambridge
• Extension to your study

All of these are considered changes to your student status and you can find out more about how to apply for any of these measures on the Cambridge Students page.

All applications must be made via CamSIS self-service, and each case is considered in line with the policy of the post-graduate committee. Applications include details of the problem and reasons why an extension is needed. You should apply 3-6 months before your submission deadline if at all possible.

As a rough guide, consideration for extensions or changes in student status will be considered on the following grounds. 

Valid reasons for an extension to your studies include:

• Unavoidable delay
• Academic reasons
• A short delay (no more than one month) due to medical issues or grave cause
• Extension due to disability
• Impact of Covid-19 or current situation in Ukraine

Invalidreasons to request an extension include:

• Visa issues
• Medical issues or family circumstances, where a period of intermission should have been requested
• Attending conferences
• Writing/publishing papers
• Undertaking further research - without strong support from your department
• Employment
• Poor planning, extra proofreading time, wanting to incorporate new material at a late stage

For more information on the specifics of these requirements, follow this link. 

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