Leave of Absence

There might be times during your PhD where you meet difficulties that are outside of your control and that significantly affect your ability to undertake your research, for example, illness or serious personal problems. You can apply for a Leave of Absence (LoA) to pause the time on your deadline and give you time and space to resolve the issues you are facing.

It is best to apply for a LoA as early as possible as this will best help mitigate some of the issues you may face further on in your research. 

Students can apply for LOA on the following grounds:

• Medical

• Personal

• Parental (maternity/paternity/adoption)

• Academic

• Financial*

* Requests for LOA on financial grounds are not normally approved, but may be considered if a student's financial situation changes due to unforeseen and exceptional circumstances.

For detailed guidance about LOAs please click here.

If you would like to request a LOA please speak with your supervisor to discuss the difficulties you are facing and fill in the LOA form which you can find here.

Once your form has been filled in, you have the evidence you need (if required) and your supervisor has signed the form, please send it to eee-pgradmin@sheffield.ac.uk for processing.  Once we have completed our part, it will be sent to Research, Partnerships and Innovation Services for approval and you will be informed of the outcome of your request. 

Please be aware LoA requests can take several weeks to be approved so please submit them early!