Guidance on leave for postgraduate research students
PGR annual leave
To maintain a good study/work/life balance, we recognise the importance of scheduled leave. PGRs have an entitlement of annual leave, which is 30 working days鈥�(plus public holidays and Winter Closure Period), per academic year (pro-rata for part-time PGRs). You should discuss and plan your annual leave with your supervisor(s). Whilst there is no University requirement to formally book or record your annual leave, you and your supervisor(s) should discuss and note agreed leave periods.
You may also have periods of sickness, during which you are unable to study/research/work. In the event of a short period of sickness, please inform your supervisory team. This period will not be deducted from your annual leave entitlement, and you won’t be provided any additional time to your registration periods. However, prolonged period of sickness absence, may be better addressed through intermission. Please consult our guidance on intermission for postgraduate research students.
This annual leave entitlement is incorporated into the PGR academic year and does not necessitate any changes (including extensions) to your registration period.
Student Visa sponsored PGRs
If you hold a Student Visa sponsored by the University you are entitled to take annual leave without risk to your immigration status. However, despite taking periods of annual leave, you and your supervisor(s) should continue to make contact every month and this should be in-person wherever practicable. Consecutive occasions of online-only contact are permitted only in the case of Research Away.
Family leave
You are entitled to periods of family leave, such as maternity, paternity/partner’s, adoption, and/or surrogacy leave.
Usually this would necessitate a period of intermission, which could be one, two or three terms in duration, and would not count towards the maximum amount of intermission permitted.
Family leave taken as a period of intermission would result in your standard and maximum periods of study being extended by the equivalent period of time. An approved absence of up to 60 calendar days can be permitted instead of intermission; for Student Visa sponsored PGRs this would not necessitate the withdrawal of sponsorship, but this should be discussed with your supervisor, the PGRE Team and IST as soon as possible.
| Family leave type | Maximum leave entitlement |
| Maternity leave | Intermission for up to one year (can be taken as one, two or three terms of intermission) |
| Paternity/partner’s leave | Up to two weeks authorised absence OR intermission for up to one year (can be taken as one, two or three terms of intermission) |
| Adoption/surrogacy leave | Intermission for up to one year (can be taken as one, two or three terms of intermission) |
For shorter periods of Family Leave, you will remain registered but the equivalent period of time will be added to you standard and maximum periods, and your expected submission date.
Compassionate leave
Please see the鈥疌ompassionate Leave Policy鈥�(.pdf)鈥痜or advice on the process to follow for short-term (up to two weeks) compassionate leave requests. We recognise that the longer-term impact of the death or serious illness/injury of a close relative/dependant/friend may require a longer period of leave in which case the Policy on Leave of Absence (intermission) for PGR students (see How to intermit) should be consulted.
Additional note for funded students
UKRI-funded students (i.e. funded via ARIES DTP, CHASE DTP, SeNSS/SENSS DTPs, Soc-B CDT or another UKRI Doctoral Training Studentship)
As a UKRI-funded student there may be additional Terms and Conditions and/or funding support available to you for all the types of leave outlined above. Please consult with the PGRE Team for specific advice relating to your individual studentship.
糖心Vlog scholarship holders (i.e. Chancellor’s Scholarships and HIC scholarships)
As a scholarship-funded student there may be additional terms and conditions and/or funding support available to you for all the types of leave outlined above. Please consult with the Funding Team for specific advice relating to your individual studentship.
