If you’re working on your master’s project or dissertation over the summer, this means that usually there are no timetabled teaching sessions. You will still need to demonstrate that you are engaging with your studies in person, in line with the university’s UKVI Academic Engagement Code of Practice.

During June, July and August, you will be expected to: 

1. work on your master’s project and attend supervision meetings with your supervisor and/or scheduled group sessions. These should normally be in person and must take place at least monthly. Gaps between recorded meetings must not exceed 60 days
2. A staff member (often your dissertation supervisor) will log your attendance at the sessions you attend. It is good practice to check that the staff member has done this, so that you don’t receive communications asking you to account for gaps in your academic engagement record
3. formally request permission if you need to be absent from the UK for more than two weeks (more detail below)

The university is required by UKVI to monitor and keep records of your engagement - including over summer.

If you have any academic requirements such as resit exams or work placements, you should continue those as planned. If reassessments mean that you are not progressing to your project/dissertation at this time, you must contact your personal tutor to discuss the best way of ensuring you can demonstrate academic engagement in June, July and August.

Absence from the UK

Some students wish to leave the UK during their master’s project/dissertation period. For immigration compliance purposes, an absence is defined as:

• Absence from teaching/research activity while in the UK; and
• Absence from the UK

If you need to leave the UK for more than two weeks during your project/dissertation period, you must request approval. We recommend that you discuss any travel plans with the relevant academic contact in your school/department to understand how it may impact your studies before committing to travel.

Please note that the Visa and Immigration team is required to withdraw sponsorship from anyone seeking an absence from the UK that exceeds 60 days. In these circumstances, students cannot use their student visa to attend graduation and will not be able to make use of the Graduate Visa route, even if they successfully complete the course.

Finally, we’d like to remind you that the limit of 20 hours of work per week continues to apply during the summer period.

We’d like to wish you the best of luck for your project/dissertation this summer. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our Visa and Immigration team.