POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH DEGREE STUDENTS
Application for Leave of Absence (LOA)
There are some circumstances in which you may find it necessary to take leave of absence (LOA)
from your research degree programme for a period. This might include illness, personal
circumstances, or other external pressures. Occasionally this is unavoidable, but in many cases
there is some discretion about whether LOA is appropriate and, if so, the timing of the leave. We
will need to understand fully the circumstances giving rise to the request for leave.
Note that no fees are payable for any period of approved LOA and you are not allowed access to
any Keele support or facilities.
When considering an application for LOA we will need to be clear about what stage you are at in
your research degree programme, including any research training, and arrangements put in place
to mitigate any detrimental impact.
If you are/have been sponsored by a Research Council, your Leave of Absence will need to be
approved by the relevant Research Council as well as by the Research Degrees Committee.
Note that with effect from 1st April 2010, all Research Council funded students are entitled to take
6 months of maternity leave on full stipend and a further 6 months of unpaid maternity leave. For
non Research Council funded students the stipend payable for the first 6 months will be that in
place at the start of the leave. For part-time students leave payments should be calculated on a
pro-rata basis. Only in exceptional circumstances can you apply for a retrospective Leave of
Absence when funded by a Research Council. Please refer to your Research Council web pages
for further information or contact your Research Institute Postgraduate Director.
International Students should know that taking a 'leave of absence' affects their right to
stay in the UK (if they are on student visa) and they should consult the International
Student Support Officer - 01782 583801 or [email protected] as soon as possible.
For completion by the student
1 Personal details
Student name
Student number
2 Research degree programme details
Research Institute
Degree registered for
Lead Supervisor
Director of Postgraduate Research
Start date
Annex C7, Application for Leave of absence
v3, 07/11/11
Mode of attendance (FT, PT, CF, CP)
3 Progress record
A Research Training
For students enrolled before August 1st 2013:
How many credits have already been completed?
For all students:
Have you started, but not completed, any research training modules or courses? YES/NO
If YES, please list relevant courses, module codes etc
B Doctoral progression (doctoral students only)
Have you passed doctoral progression? YES/NO
If yes, give date:
4. Research Council/Other sponsorship
You should note that if you are receiving sponsorship for your fees and/or stipend the normal
position is that all sponsorship ceases for any period of leave of absence. Only in exceptional
cases is a sponsor likely to take a different position. Your signature on this form will indicate that
you understand that sponsorship will cease. Note however that all Research Council funded
students are entitled to take 6 months of maternity leave on full stipend and a further 6 months of
unpaid maternity leave. For part-time students leave payments will be on a pro-rata basis.
If you have been made any payments for which you are not due you will be required to repay such
overpayment. If your sponsor payments are not made through Keele then it is your responsibility
to inform your sponsor that you are taking a period of leave of absence.
Are you currently/have you ever been sponsored for your fees and/or stipend by a Research
Council? YES/NO
If yes, who is the sponsor:
Are you currently/have you ever been sponsored for your fees and/or stipend by other
sponsors? YES/NO
If yes, who is the sponsor:
5 Request for leave of absence
A List here any previous periods of leave of absence taken
B Leave now requested
Date of first day of leave:
Date of last day of leave:
Intended date of return to study (no more than one year later):
Annex C7, Application for Leave of absence
v3, 07/11/11
C Case for leave – please type in form (continue on a separate page if necessary) or attach a full
case
The case given must be detailed enough for the University to determine whether the request is
reasonable and also whether the circumstances causing the request are temporary and likely to be
managed in a way which allow the student to resume studies within the timescale requested.
[If based on medical grounds, a medical certificate or note must accompany this request.]
Signature of student
Date
For completion by the Lead Supervisor
1 Progress record and impact of leave of absence
Please confirm that details given by the student about their progress record are correct YES/NO
[If NO, please revise and discuss with student.]
What arrangements will be made for the student to complete any research training modules or
courses which have already been started? (eg start again, revised deadline for submission of
written work, resit date)
What impact is the requested LOA likely to have on the progress of this student, and what steps
will be taken by the student and the RI to mitigate this affect?
2 Request for leave of absence
On the basis of the case made by the student and the arrangements detailed above

Do you support the request for leave of absence?
YES/NO

Do you confirm that the dates given are appropriate? YES/NO
If NO give reasons

If the request is retrospective, has the student made use of any Keele support or facilities
in the period since the proposed start date of LOA? YES/NO
If YES please give the final date on which such support or facilities were used
Annex C7, Application for Leave of absence
v3, 07/11/11
Signature of Lead Supervisor
Date
For completion by the Director of Postgraduate Research
I authorise the leave of absence as requested
YES/NO
If NO give reasons for refusal
Signed
Director of Postgraduate Research
Print Name
Date
Copy:
Income Office
RI - Director of Postgraduate Research
Lead Supervisor
Student
Annex C7, Application for Leave of absence
v3, 07/11/11