Family leave

All registered PGRs at The University of Manchester, including those in an approved submission pending period, are eligible to take up to 52 weeks’ maternity leave* by interrupting their programme (or extending their submission pending period if applicable). Eligibility applies if you are:

• The person who will give birth, or
• The primary intended parent through a surrogacy arrangement.

* If you are a research student you can interrupt for a maximum period of 4 months, and we should be able to maintain sponsorship of your student visa so you would not be reported to UKVI, and you can remain in the UK. For further guidance, please contact our Student Immigration Team.

Funding entitlement

PGRs receiving a UKRI or University of Manchester maintenance stipend are entitled to:

• 26 weeks (6 instalments) at the full stipend rate
• 13 weeks (3 instalments) at the statutory maternity pay rate
• 13 weeks (3 instalments) unpaid

PGRs funded by an external organisation must follow the funder’s regulations. If you are unsure about your funding source, please contact your Faculty Doctoral Academy.

Timing and duration

Maternity Leave can start anytime from the 11th week before the expected week of childbirth until the birth itself. A maximum of 12 months can be taken in one continuous block.

The start date must be agreed prior with your supervisor.

Application process

• Once dates are agreed, PGRs must submit the relevant application form via the Interruptions or Submission pending webpages by the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth.
• A copy of the MATB1 form should be provided to the Faculty Doctoral Academy as soon as it is available from your GP.
• Leave dates can be changed (postponed or brought forward) by notifying your supervisor and the Faculty Doctoral Academy at least 28 days in advance, or as soon as possible.

All registered PGRs at The University of Manchester, including those in an approved submission pending period, are eligible to take up to 52 weeks’ adoption leave by interrupting their programme (or extending their submission pending period if applicable) if they are the primary adopter.

Timing and duration

Leave may begin on the date of the child’s placement or up to 14 days beforehand (including weekends and public holidays).

Adoption leave must be taken as one continuous block of up to 12 months.

Application process

PGRs should discuss planned adoption leave with their supervisor(s) and Faculty Doctoral Academy as early as possible.

An application form must be submitted to the Faculty Doctoral Academy within 7 days of being matched with a child, along with the matching certificate provided by the adoption agency.

Once dates are agreed, PGRs must submit the relevant application form via the Interruptions webpage to confirm the leave.

The FSE DA Progression and Support team and the FSE DA Funding team will then confirm in writing the terms of the adoption leave, adoption stipend payments (if applicable) and the latest date on which the PGR should return to study.

For maternity leave, PGRs are not permitted to return within the first two weeks after childbirth, this is classed as compulsory maternity leave. To return earlier than originally agreed, PGRs must give their supervisor(s) and Faculty Doctoral Academy at least 8 weeks’ written notice. The Faculty Doctoral Academy will then update the interruption/extension period and thesis submission deadline.

To return later than originally agreed, PGRs must discuss this with their supervisor(s) and submit a further request for interruption/extension (up to the maximum entitlement of 12 months).

PGRs who have been studying full-time may request to return on a part-time basis (provided there are no visa restrictions). For University-managed funding, this will result in pro-rata payments. A change of mode of attendance request form must be submitted to the Faculty Doctoral Academy.

When returning to studies, PGRs will be contacted by the FSE Doctoral Academy Wellbeing Team.

All registered PGRs at The University of Manchester are eligible for up to 14 days’ leave (including weekends and public holidays) if:

• Leave begins within 52 weeks of the child’s birth and before the end of the programme/studentship, and
• The PGR is the father, non-birth parent, or partner of the child’s birth parent, or the intended co-parent through surrogacy, and
• The PGR has, or is expected to have, main responsibility for the child’s upbringing (other than the birth parent).

Timing and duration

• Up to 14 consecutive days.
• Leave must be taken in a single block.

Funding

• UKRI or University of Manchester funding: 2 weeks’ stipend.
• Externally funded PGRs: payment is at the discretion of the funder.
• Self-funded PGRs: no payment during leave.
• If unsure about your funding source, contact your Faculty Doctoral Academy.

Application process

• PGRs must apply via the Interruptions or, if required, the Extensions webpages.
• Eligible PGRs can apply for a 14-day extension to their programme or submission pending period.

All registered PGRs are eligible if:

• The child’s birth takes place during the PGR’s registered period of study or during a planned period of maternity leave, and
• The child requires neonatal care in hospital, and
• The PGR is either the mother/birth parent, or the father/non-birth parent/partner of the mother.

Timing and duration

• One week of neonatal care leave is granted for each week (or part-week) the child spends in neonatal care.
• Leave is capped at a maximum of 12 weeks.
• For the mother/birth parent: additional time (up to 12 weeks) is added to the maternity leave interruption period.
• For the father/non-birth parent: leave is granted as an extension to programme (up to 12 weeks).

Funding

• UKRI or University of Manchester funding: up to 12 weeks’ stipend at the normal rate.
• Externally funded PGRs: payment is at the discretion of the funder.
• Self-funded PGRs: no payment is provided.

Application process

• The PGR should inform their supervisor(s) and Faculty Doctoral Academy as soon as possible if an extension is needed due to neonatal care.
• Supporting evidence may be requested.
• Applications may be submitted retrospectively if required, given the circumstances. For an extension to your programme due to Neonatal Care, please use this webpage: Extensions - Science and Engineering Doctoral Academy - The University of Manchester.

All registered PGRs are entitled to apply for up to 1 month of unpaid parental leave per year, provided that:

• They share responsibility for the child with their spouse/civil partner, the child’s other parent, or a partner they live with.
• The leave is taken to care for the child.
• Their studentship terms and conditions do not specifically exclude parental leave.

Timing and duration

• Up to 1 month each year.
• Leave must be taken as a formal interruption to programme.

Funding

• This leave is unpaid.

Application process

• Discuss and agree proposed leave dates with your supervisor(s) and Faculty Doctoral Academy as early as possible.
• Submit an interruption application form through the Interruptions procedure.