Intercalation, in the context of university administration, is a period when a student is officially suspended from studying for an academic degree. The grounds for intercalation to be granted are varied, though most commonly they are on compassionate or medical grounds. Often, intercalation has been granted to allow a student time away from the university to gain industrial or job experience within one's field of study. Some medical students in the UK have an intercalated year in order to pursue another degree (usually medically related) for a year.