PGR taking a break

Need to time out from your studies or thinking about leaving?

If you are thinking about leaving University or think that you may need time away from your studies, you should speak to your supervisor(s), personal tutor, or a member of the postgraduate support team.

We can talk to you about the different options available to you and offer support. You can visit during office hours or you can email to arrange a discussion at an alternative time.

Please note that applications for leave of absence should not be submitted retrospectively, so if you do experience any difficulties you should speak to your supervisor as soon as possible.

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Taking time away from your studies

If you experience personal or medical circumstances that disrupt your research, you may need to take some time away, this is called leave of absence and it helps to ensure that you don't . A minimum of 4 weeks, and normally a maximum of six months, can be applied for at one time but further time can be requested through a new application if needed.

If you are considering leave of absence, in addition to talking to your supervisor, you should read the detail guidance on the Research Services leave of absence webpage.

After discussing your options, if you decide that leave of absence is the best way forward then you will need to complete a Leave of Absence Form (available on the above page) and submit it to the Postgraduate Student Experience Manager.

Applications are submitted to the Faculty by Schools and students are notified of the outcome of their application in due course.

Scholarship holders: you should make sure to note any specific restrictions. Additional information is available on the Research Services leave of absence webpage and the information for scholarship holders webpages.

Students who receive a maintenance stipend funded by the University of Sheffield and/or by a UK Research Council may be eligible for a stipend extension when taking leave for medical reasons. More information is available on the Research Services leave of absence webpage via the 'medical LOA stipend extension policy' download link at the bottom of the page.

Leave of absence is not considered a suitable recourse for students close to submission and cannot be considered as an alternative extension those who have run out research time.

Returning from leave of absence

When your leave of absence ends you will need to re-register with the university before you recommence your research. You will be able to re-register once the last date of your leave has passed - see the university's how to registration online information.

If your leave of absence was for medical reasons*, you will need to provide evidence that you are fit to return to your studies before you can re-register. You will need to make sure that you're giving enough time for your GP / UHS and the University's registration team to process the request. For more information see the Research Services leave of absence webpage.

Please note that Research Services have advised that students should not need to pay for fitness to return certificates. If you are having difficulty accessing a certificate please contact the UHS on +44 114 222 2100 or email health.service@sheffield.ac.uk.

*For PGR students this includes where the medical leave is related to Covid, which differs from the procedure for BA and MA students. The UHS are aware that there are two procedures but will work with taught students more regularly so you can remind them it is a Research Services requirement for PGR students if needed.

Withdrawing from your degree

After discussing your options, if you decide that you definitely don’t want to continue your studies at the University of Sheffield then you can choose to withdraw. If you decide that withdrawing is the best way forward then you will need to complete a Withdrawal form (available from the RS webpages) and submit it to the Postgraduate Student Experience Manager.

Please note that any outstanding debt to the University will become payable on withdrawal, this may include reimbursement of scholarship payments if you are in receipt of funding.

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