Report an absence due to Medical Leave
There may be times when you need to take time away from your studies for medical reasons. This page explains the types of medical leave available, who can apply, and how the process works. It also outlines the steps you can take to reduce any impact on your research or progression.
If you’re experiencing difficulties because of illness, you should report this to your supervisors as soon as possible. If your medical condition continues for more than four weeks and is likely to affect your research, you’ll be expected to request an interruption to your programme. Please note that the total amount of interruption you can take across your whole PhD cannot exceed 12 months.
Medical leave provisions are available to all full-time and part-time postgraduate researchers.
For detailed guidance, please refer to the Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) Medical Leave Procedure.
This procedure should be read alongside the Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) Change of Circumstance Policy, Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) Family Leave Procedure, particularly the PGR Interruption to Programme Procedure.
Reporting and returning from short-term sickness
If you’re unable to continue your research for up to seven calendar days, you should contact your supervisor and email the Doctoral Academy on the first day you’re absent. You also need to complete the Self-Certification of Absence Form within two working days after your absence ends (remember that weekends and bank holidays count when calculating your total days of absence.)
If your absence lasts more than seven days, you’ll need to provide a medical certificate from your GP to cover the additional time off. Before you submit the certificate to the FSE Doctoral Academy, please make sure you’ve completed the reverse side of the form.
If you have a disclosed disability that is registered with the Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS), and your support plan notes that you may have attendance difficulties, you do not need to submit a self-certification form for short absences that are related to your declared disability.
For absences greater than 7 days but less than 4 weeks, you will not normally be permitted to return to your studies before the date specified by the GP on the medical certificate.
If you require any additional support when returning from Short-Term Sickness, please email the FSE DA Wellbeing team.
Interrupting due to medical leave
If your illness continues for more than four weeks and is likely to affect your ability to carry out your research, you’ll be expected to request an interruption to your programme. Please note that you can take no more than 12 months of interruption in total across your PhD.
Requests for a medical interruption normally need to be supported by medical evidence from an appropriate medical professional, confirming that you’re not able to study for an extended period.
During an approved interruption, stipend payments usually stop. However, some PGRs may still receive funding during a period of medical leave, depending on the terms of their funding. You should check your funding contract to find out what applies to you.
Full-time and part-time PGRs who receive an annual maintenance stipend funded by The University of Manchester and/or from UKRI are entitled to up to 28 weeks of paid Medical Leave at their normal stipend value from the first day of certified sickness within a 12-month rolling period.
If you are funded by an external organisation, you will need to follow your funder’s regulations. If you’re unsure who funds you or what your funding conditions are, please email your Faculty Doctoral Academy.