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We understand there are many reasons why students choose to take a Voluntary Leave of Absence. The content of this resource has been informed by the Voluntary Leave of Absence Guidelines.

Please note there is an application process for students seeking a Voluntary Leave of Absence. More information, and the application form, is available from Student Lifecycle.

Student Lifecycle: Voluntary Leave of Absence

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This resource covers the following topics:

1. Your wellbeing and University support

2. Developing yourself

3. Presenting your Voluntary Leave of Absence in applications

4. Staying connected

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We encourage you to explore the contents of each section and work through those that are most relevant to your current situation.

Please be aware that your needs are likely to change during your time out from studies so we encourage you to revisit the content from time to time.

Most important of all remember that you have access to lots of support even though you are not participating in academic study.

Therefore we recommend you familiarise yourself with the section about University Support.

If you have any feedback or questions please email yourcareer@strath.ac.uk.

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Prioritising your wellbeing is really important whether you have chosen to take a break from your studies to take advantage of a career/life enhancing activity, or to address personal circumstances that are adversely affecting your studies.

We hope the resources in this section will empower you to make adjustments that ensure your wellbeing is prioritised.

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Disability & Wellbeing Service resources and support

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Disability & Wellbeing Service resources and support

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As a Strathclyde student you have access to a range of support that includes self-help guides and the University's online CBT e-learning platform.

Self-help guides - A range of self-help resources which provide self-care tips, psycho-educational information, techniques to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and practical techniques to improve our mental health and wellbeing.

Silvercloud - Students can obtain immediate access to support via SilverCloud, our online CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) e-learning platform. SilverCloud offers secure, immediate access to online supported CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) programmes, tailored to your specific needs.

Disability & Wellbeing Service Self-help guides and Silvercloud

Wellbeing Programmes relating to Mindfulness and Stress Management

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Faith, spirituality & support at the Chaplaincy

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Faith, spirituality & support at the Chaplaincy

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We aim to be a place of respect, inclusion and acceptance where every individual is valued and supported, regardless of your beliefs - spiritual or otherwise.

The Chaplaincy is a space where you can meet old and new friends to relax, study or spend time in quiet thought or meditation, speak with Chaplains in confidence, or participate in wellbeing activities and faith-based events.

Contact us at chaplaincy@strath.ac.uk

These guided meditations have been recorded by our Chaplains. Each pre-recorded meditation can be done at a time and place to suit you.

Guided meditations

Links to University and external groups

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The Advice Hub is your independent and confidential advice service, run by professional staff advisers who can support you on matters related to your studies, housing, and funding and finance.

You can chat with them confidentially about any issues, and they'll listen to you with care and respect.

All Strathclyde students at any level of study can approach us to chat about options and get our advice on everything from course transfers and appeals to council tax and tenancy checks to student funding and emergency financial support. We can also signpost you to specialist areas of advice such as visas and debt.

Strath Union Advice Hub

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Strathclyde Sports offers a variety of services designed to support you in improving and maintaining your wellbeing. Good wellbeing is about both physical and mental health.

Our staff at Strathclyde Sport can help to introduce activity into your lifestyle and support you in sustaining it so you can enjoy the physical and mental health benefits. All one-to-one sessions are bookable online.

Strathclyde Sport Wellbeing & support

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How to access Student Support at Strathclyde

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How to access Student Support at Strathclyde

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As a Strathclyde student you have access to our excellent Student Support Services. We encourage you to reach out to them should you require any information, advice or support at any stage of your studies.

How to access Student Support Services at Strathclyde

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This section focusses on your development. It signposts you to lots of free resources which you can use to develop a wide range of skills, abilities and knowledge.

Choose something that supports your career, or personal, development or simply explore a topic that you find interesting – don’t forget to add any development you undertake to your CV!

Tip: Goal setting can help you to identify where you want to go and the steps needed to get there. Section 2 of the Career Resilience course, below, will support you to do this.

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Try something new for 30 days - Matt Cutts

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Try something new for 30 days - Matt Cutts

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In this short, lighthearted TED Talk by Matt Cutts he offers a neat way to think about setting and achieving goals. What will you try?

TED Talk by Matt Cutts

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Volunteering is an excellent way to gain experience in a field that really interests you, get to know the sector and increase your contacts. Volunteer Scotland and Strath Union advertise a wide range of opportunities, many requiring only a few hours a week.

Volunteer Scotland

Strath Union: volunteering

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Part time and temporary jobs help you develop valuable transferable skills. The experience you gain is valued by graduate employers.

The Careers & Employability Service provides information about part-time work, employment rights and advertising standards and comprehensive job search resources.

If you need support don't hesitate to make an appointment with us.

Careers Service resources on part-time work, employment rights and advertising standards

Careers Service job search resources

Careers appointments

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Could now be the time to devote to a side hustle? This could be something you have been working on in your spare time, a business idea that you want to develop, a piece of research that you want to explore or perhaps a technology that you want to experiment with.  Whether you're thinking about freelancing, running a side hustle, or building a company, we’re here to support your journey.

Careers & Employability Service self-employment resources and support

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Online course: Developing career resilience

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Online course: Developing career resilience

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This free course, Developing career resilience, will help you to build your resilience and approach career-related change with greater confidence and motivation.

Open Learn: Developing career resilience

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The Careers Service provides a wide range of resources to help you build your experience that include online learning opportunities: Careers Service resources to build your experience.

Looking to explore an interesting new subject? Check out TED education videos to get lost in something new and interesting: TED education videos.

The Library offers a range of learning opportunities: Library skills.

My World of Work Online Learning thousands of free courses from the best providers, right at your fingertips including courses from leading tech companies to develop in-demand digital skills: My World of Work Online Learning.

Starting a business? Business Gateway run free webinars and have a great selection of free video tutorials to help you build all the skills you need to start and run a business: Business Gateway.

Want to learn the basics of a subject or prepare for entry tests like the GMAT? Try Khan Academy's free online courses: Khan Academy.

Learn the basics of coding using the free courses on Codecademy.

Are you a female or non-binary student who wants to learn to code for FREE? Check out our new partner Code First Girls and their free online courses and top employment opportunities with brands across the world (Strathclyde students and graduates use our unique code: UPSTRA): Code First Girls.

Start learning a new language or brush up your skills on one you already speak with Duolingo.

Online MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) offer free options to explore and develop additional skills which you might need for your future career:

Futurelearn

Coursera

OpenLearn

Strathclyde MOOCS.

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The Careers & Employability Service CV and Cover Letter Guide provides guidance on writing CVs and cover letters, with helpful checklists and FAQs. It also includes a number of example CVs and a cover letter template.

CV and Cover Letter Guide

If you are vision impaired please use the Accessible CV and Cover Letter Guide which has been transformed from the original document by Visibility Scotland.

Accessible CV and Cover Letter Guide

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Presenting your Voluntary Leave of Absence in your CV

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Presenting your Voluntary Leave of Absence in your CV

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Depending on the style and structure of your CV there are a number of ways you could choose to include your VLA.

Tip: If you feel uncertain don't hesitate to make an appointment with a Careers Consultant for a confidential discussion.

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It is unlikely a potential employer will notice your degree taking slightly longer as courses vary in length across the UK and internationally.

Typically they last 3 years in England and vary between 4 and 5 in Scotland, for example.

It is more important that you explain any gaps on your CV which you can address in your Experience and Additional Information sections.
Therefore in your Education section we recommend that you include the start date and expected year of graduation as normal.

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Education

University of Strathclyde, MChem Chemistry (2018-2024)

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If you have a chronological CV and have taken time out for a placement, to focus on caring responsibilities, or have needed a break for personal reasons and used that time to travel or volunteer, then it may suit your CV to include this in your Experience Section.

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Example: you took time out due to caring responsibilities

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Example: you took time out due to caring responsibilities

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Experience

Oct 24-present, Carer for family member

I took the decision to take time out from my studies to care for my father who has Alzheimers. I have developed my communication skills through liaising with healthcare professionals, my attention to detail through managing medication, and planning and organisation skills through managin medical appointments.

I maintained my subject knowledge and study skills through short MOOCS and staying touch with classmates.

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Example: you took time out for a placement

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Example: you took time out for a placement

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Engineering Work Experience

Aug 24-Aug 25, Mechanical Engineering placement - Jacobs, Manchester

Worked in the building service department under the guidance of experienced engineers.

Responsible for conducting a survey on the condition of large installed heating and cooling system. Tis allowed me to gain experience in communicating with the client on a daily basis in a professional manner and an understanding of the time management and organisational skills required to conduct a project on this scale.

Additional responsibilities included the full design and reconfiguration of a ventilation system for a small section of Manchester Airport using Autocad and Revit.

(Tip: as this is relevant to your degree tailor your heading to draw attention to relevant experience)

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Example: you took time out and travelled, gaining international experience

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Example: you took time out and travelled, gaining international experience

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International experience

Jan 24 - Jan 25

I took time out from my studies to travel following a bereavment. This developed my self-confidence and intercultural communication skills. During the summer I was a volunteer Camp Leader at a summer camp in the Czech mountains. This involved working with other leaders to provide a programme of outdoor activities for children aged 12-16 which developed my leadership and planning/organisation skills.

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As part of your Additional Information Section

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As part of your Additional Information Section

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If you have taken time out for personal reasons, and have needed to use that time to focus on improving your wellbeing, you may wish to account for gaps in your education in this section. You do not need to go into any detail and are welcome to discuss this first with a Careers Consultant if you are unsure, or worried, about mentioning this.

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Additional information

Due to health issues I took time out from my studies during my 2nd year and therefore neded to repeat the year. Since returning to university I have made use of support available and am proud of my academic performance.

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Presenting your Voluntary Leave of Absence in your cover letter

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Presenting your Voluntary Leave of Absence in your cover letter

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A cover letter should always be tailored to the organisation and opportunity you are applying for.

Talk about your break from studies in the third or fourth paragraph of your cover letter, after you have demonstrated your motivation to work for the organisation and explained why you are a strong candidate for the role.

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For example: you took time out due to caring responsibilities

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For example: you took time out due to caring responsibilities

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You will see from my CV that I took time out from studies to care for my father who has Alzheimers. I am proud of my academic achievements since and believe this demonstrates my ability to take responsibility, plan, organise and communicate effectively.

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For example: you took time out for a placement

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For example: you took time out for a placement

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I took the decision to take time out from my studies to gain experience in industry as I was unclear about the direction I wanted to take for my career. A placement is not a requirement of my course however due to my strong academic performance my department supported this decision. I gained experience of working within a small team of experienced engineers and quickly established good working relationships with colleagues. My good communication skills developed through part-time jobs in customer service led to me being given responsibility for conducting a survey with a client on the condition of a large installed Heating and Cooling system. I received excellent feedback from clients regarding my professional manner throughout my placement. This industrial experience clarified my decision to pursue a career in engineering consultancy.

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For example: you took time out for personal reasons

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For example: you took time out for personal reasons

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You will see from my CV that I took some time out from my studies for personal reasons. I used the time to access support which enabled me to return to university with strategies in place that have enabled me to complete my degree. I am proud of my academic achievements and believe this demonstrates my resilience and self-awareness.

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Once your Voluntary Leave of Absence has ended you will be expected to resume studies and complete your course as if your studies had not been interrupted.

As you are not allowed to attend any classes we have included resources to support you in maintaining, or refreshing, your subject knowledge and study skills.

Staying connected with your classmates and other students will help you feel connected to your life as a student and provide a support network to ease your transition when you return to studying.

If you have not yet built these relationships, or wish to meet new people, we have provided links to communities, clubs and societies that you may wish to explore.

A break from studying may lead you to re-evaluate your career ideas or start to explore them for the first time. There is plenty of support available from the Careers & Employability Service to help you with this.

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Explore resources to support you in maintaining, or refreshing, your subject knowledge.

TIP from an academic:

If you have a particular class that was difficult and that either cannot be avoided when you return and/or is important for your skills set for the job market, why not email the School Administrator and ask for a list of the weekly topics to be covered & the core text (e.g. Quantitative Methods, week 4 Paired-Samples T-Tests, text Andy Field).

You could then consider reading the materials during your Voluntary Leave of Absence and/or watching YouTube how to videos, so that when you return, you are in a better place to follow along and not be derailed.

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Visit your Faculty Librarian's LibGuide profile for helpful guides and contact information.

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MOOCS are a great way to maintain, and develop, your subject knowledge and explore new topics that interest you.

These free courses are delivered by world-class universities and organisations and include a wide range of short courses, for example lasting as little as 3 hours a week for 2 weeks.

FutureLearn and Coursera are a good place to start.

Check out the free online short courses offered by Strathclyde.

Tip: There is no need to pay for a certificate, you can still add any courses you take to your CV.

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Learn about resources to support you in maintaining, or refreshing, your study skills. to refresh your study skills.

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Learner Development Services - work with students to enhance their learning. They can offer practical advice and support to help you study more effectively and have a wide range of self-access materials as well as offering one-to-one consultations: Learner Development Service

Library - use the Strathclyde LibGuides to develop your academic and research skills: LibGuides

FutureLearn - offers a range of study skills courses.

OpenLearn - free learning from the Open University, provides a range of free courses that will refresh your study skills and prepare you for success: OpenLearn refresh your study skills.

Alison - this free online study skills course will teach you about effective study techniques and time management strategies that you can use to get more studying done with less stress: Alison study skills course

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Staying in touch with classmates and friends will help you feel connected with your course and university life. Explore opportunities and support that will help you stay connected to your life as a student. Consider what would work best for you? This could be trying some of the ideas below or simply staying connected through a class WhatsApp group.

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Strath Union has dedicated communities to support to support:

mature students.

widening access students.

student parents.

Student societies

joining a subject-related society is a great way to connect with students in all year groups who are studying the same subject area as you.

Get involved in a student society based on faith and culture to meet like-minded students.

Explore clubs and societies based on your hobbies and interests - a break from your studies may give you the time you need to try out new things!

If you have an interest in politics and activism joining a student society will connect you with like-minded people.

Strath Union: Find a Society

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Strathclyde Sports Union: Social & Recreational Sport, Sports Clubs

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Strathclyde Sports Union: Social & Recreational Sport, Sports Clubs

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Intramural Sports is the perfect way to get involved on campus—no experience required! Intramural Sport offers students & staff the chance to play social but competitive sport, meet new friends and stay active.  We have Badminton and 5-a-side Football so you can join as a team, or sign up as a free agent and we’ll help you find your squad. Our leagues promote teamwork, wellness, and campus spirit in a low-stress, high-energy environment.

Intramural Sports

StrathACTIVE is one of the University’s active health programmes delivered in partnership between the Sports Union, Strathclyde Sport and Strath Union.

StrathACTIVE is an excellent way to be active, meet new friends, take a break from work and studying whilst improving your physical and mental well-being. With the support from various pots of funding our programme is totally FREE provides students and staff the opportunity to take part in accessible sport & physical opportunities. No equipment? No problem! Come along in comfortable sports wear and we will provide the rest.

StrathACTIVE

Strathclyde Sports Union is home to over 50 Sports Clubs and has around 3,000 members making it one of the biggest and most diverse student sport communities in Scotland. Joining a sports club will improve your fitness, enhance your wellbeing  and connect you with other students who share your interests.

Sports Union: Club sport

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Find out about support and resources offered by the Careers & Employability Service.

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Attend career-related events - the Careers Service hosts a wide range of events throughout the year which you are welcome to attend. Explore the Events calendar and book in to anything that interests you: Careers events

Explore your career ideas - try this new resource for Strathclyde Students to explore what's possible, before you decide what's next in your career. inicio helps you explore career paths, understand what they're really like, and prepare to pursue them with confidence: Inicio

Learn about different occupations using the comprehensive resources provided by the Careers Service: I want to work in...

Enrol on the Undergraduate Careers Module or the Postgraduate Careers Module which focus on career and employability learning and will provide you with insights into the process of transition from university to work or further study. This includes an understanding of the processes of career choice and career development as well as graduate recruitment processes and the labour market.

Undergraduate Careers Module

Postgraduate Careers Module

Speak to a Careers Consultant - the Careers Service provides confidential, impartial advice and guidance. If a one-to-one discussion would be helpful don't hesitate to book an appointment with one of our friendly, professionally qualified Career Consultants. They are here to support you to explore your career ideas and make decisions that are appropriate to your needs: Careers appointments.