Maximum period from initial registration for completion of studies

This page lists the maximum periods for the completion of studies from their initial points of registration and related information including exceptional circumstances, UoNO and external requirements.  

Students may need to extend their normal period of engagement with an individual programme for a variety of reasons. The University is flexible in making such arrangements, but there is an expectation that students will complete their studies within an absolute maximum time period from their initial registration, regardless of individual circumstances, to ensure the currency of their knowledge, their competency and the quality of their degree. To that effect, please be aware of the following:

• Where students have changed programme, the set period relates to the initial registration on their original programme except where the student is transferring to the beginning of the first stage of a programme – in which case, the set period relates to the initial registration on the new programme.  

• The normal period of registered study for each qualification of the University is set out in the University of Nottingham Qualifications Framework (UNQF). For more information about the UNQF, please consult the following:

University of Nottingham Qualifications Framework

• In addition a student is not allowed to take more than three years to complete teaching and assessment that would normally be completed within one year, whether full or part-time.
• In certain specific circumstances a period of voluntary interruption will automatically extend the maximum period of registration for the programme by up to one year. At UNUK and UNM voluntary interruption of up to one year due to disability, long term health issues, caring and parental responsibilities, maternity/paternity/adoptive leave, compulsory services (e.g. military), financial difficulties, or as a function of issues relating to students who are part of the exceptional performance athlete or scholars at risk programmes will extend the maximum by one year. 

• At UNNC voluntary interruption of up to one year due to military service will extend the maximum by one year.
• Other circumstances, not detailed above, such as other periods of voluntary interruption, repeat study or enforced suspension for reason of debt, the absolute maxima shown in the table below apply. In such cases, the School may apply to QSC for an extension to the maximum where it believes this is appropriate.

An exception to the application of these maxima is where a student has a disability, or carer responsibility, that is causing, or has caused, the delay in completing their studies. Whilst the University would normally expect the maximum periods from initial registration to provide adequate opportunity for adjustment and support for students with disabilities, or carer responsibilities, there may be exceptional circumstances, beyond one year, in which further adjustment to maximum periods could be considered. In this case, the student must provide the school with an explanation and evidence of their circumstances.

The school will then need to judge whether, in the light of these circumstances, it is possible for the student to complete their studies within a period that sufficiently ensures the currency of their knowledge, their competency and the quality of their degree. If the school believes that it is, on balance, appropriate to extend the absolute maximum for that student, they will then provide a new absolute maximum to which the student must adhere.

Extensions to the maximum period of registration authorised by the School must be reported to the Quality and Student Management Systems Team in Registry and Academic Affairs (RAA).

Table of absolute maxima for the completion of all full and part-time programmes

	Absolute maximum period for completion – Full-time	Absolute maximum period for completion – Part-time
Foundation Certificate	3 years	3 years
Undergraduate Certificate	3 years	3 years
Undergraduate Diploma	6 years	12 years
Ordinary Degree (from start of Honours programme)*For students entering Qualifying year or Part I from September 2015, this degree is only available as an exit award	6 years	12 years
Graduate Certificate	3 years	3 years
Graduate Diploma	3 years	3 years
Honours Degree	6 years	12 years
Bachelors Honours Degree with Foundation Stage*Known as Preliminary Year at University of Nottingham Ningbo Campus (UNNC)	8 years	12 years
Integrated Master's Degree	8 years	12 years
Integrated Master's Degree with Foundation Stage	10 years	12 years
Medical Degree BM, BS (five-year programme)	10 years	12 years
Medical Degree BM, BS (four-year graduate entry programme)	8 years	12 years
Veterinary Medicine MVM, MVS	6 years	12 years
Veterinary Medicine BVM, BVS	10 years	12 years
Veterinary Medicine with Preliminary year BVM, BVS	12 years	12 years
Dip Arch with Bachelor's as first element and including year out	12 years	12 years
Dip Arch with Integrated Master's as first element and including year out	12 years	12 years
Postgraduate Certificate	3 years	3 years
Postgraduate Diploma	3 years	3 years
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education	3 years	4 years
Taught Master's	3 years	6 years
Two Year Taught Master's	4 years	8 years
Taught masters with Pre-Master's year (UNNC)	4 years	8 years
MRes/MSc/MA by Research	3 years	6 years
MPhil	4 years	8 years
Professional Doctorate	6 years	12 years
PhD	6 years	12 years
	Absolute maximum period for completion	Absolute maximum period for completion – with EC
UoNO microcredential	12 months	15 months
UoNO microcredential Postgraduate Certificate programme	3 years	3 years
UoNO microcredential Postgraduate Diploma programme	3 years	3 years

  

2.3 UoNO Microcredentials

• Students wishing to count UoNO Microcredentials towards the award of a UoN qualification are also bound by the maximum periods described. The ‘maximum period of registration’ commences on the date at which the student registers for their first Microcredential that they wish to put towards the award of a UoN qualification. 
• Schools being asked to make an award may submit a case to QSC to count UoNO Microcredentials commenced before that date under the ROL regulations, so long as they are satisfied that to do so would not undermine the currency of the qualification and would not violate any PSRB requirements.
• A learner enrolled on a microcredential may stay enrolled on that microcredential for a maximum of 12 months from the date of registration unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Extenuating Circumstances

2.4 External requirements

• If the regulations of an external accrediting body require a shorter time frame for an individual programme, or any legal requirement restricts the ability of a student to study as required or attend the University, the external requirement overrides the University maximum period.
• Programme specifications state where an external restriction applies to the period of study. Where a student is on an accredited degree or a programme leading to professional registration and their normal period of study has been extended, it may be necessary for them to undertake additional assessment to prove competency prior to conferral of their award.

2.5 Visa-related

• The maxima which are outlined within the table do not imply that where relevant a student will necessarily be able to obtain a visa for the extended period. 
• Students on a visa must seek advice from the Visa and Immigration team on their campus if their normal period of registration is potentially to be extended.

2.6 Refusal and withdrawal

• A school must refuse to allow a student to interrupt study, repeat study, take external assessments or any other action that would result in it being impossible for that student to complete their studies within the defined time frames or those imposed by external requirements or limitations.
• A student who for any reason will not be able to complete their studies within the maximum time frame will be withdrawn from the University as soon as this is evident. In such cases, a student will be awarded a lower level qualification if such a qualification exists and they have satisfied the regulations for that award.

For more information concerning regulations for students who have not met their honours requirements, please consult the following category:

Academic regulations

Extenuating Circumstances

Academic Regulations

University of Nottingham Qualifications Framework

Version Control Table

Version Number	Purpose/Change	Approving Committee	Date
1.0	Reformatted to align with the new University of Nottingham Policy Management Framework based on content last modified on 23rd January 2024	QSC	July 2024