Family, medical and additional leave benefits for UKRI and University of Leeds funded PGRs Leave entitlement for UKRI and University of Leeds funded PGRS
We’ve aligned our welfare terms and conditions for University of Leeds scholarship funded PGRs with those provided to UKRI-funded postgraduate researchers (PGRs), to promote consistent and fair support for PGRs.
University of Leeds scholarship funded PGRs and UKRI funded PGRs can expect to receive the same levels of:
- Leave entitlements (medical, parental, and special leave)
- Associated payments during periods of approved leave
These commitments apply from the point of registration and continue throughout the duration of your funded studentship.
Keep us notified
If you’re facing challenges that are affecting your studies or progress, let your Graduate School know. They will consider your individual circumstances and advise you on your options.
Contact your Graduate School as soon as possible, and no later than one month from the start of any leave. They will ensure your payments are correct and advise you on any other steps you may need to take.
If you don’t report any leave in a prompt way, it will affect your eligibility for payment.
If you are on a Student visa
This page covers the leave entitlements for PGRs funded by UKRI or University of Leeds scholarships. If you receive this funding and are sponsored on a Student visa, you must also follow any additional conditions set by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
We are required to report certain types and durations of leave to UKVI. You should seek advice from both your Graduate School team and email the Student Visa Advice team at studentvisaadvice@leeds.ac.uk before making any changes. They can help you understand your options and any potential implications for your visa.
If you are a part-time PGR
Your leave entitlements will be paid on a pro-rata basis, proportionate to the part-time status.
UKRI-funded PGRs: understanding your other entitlements
You can find details of your welfare-related terms and conditions on these webpages.
For the full terms and conditions of your studentship, please visit the UKRI website.
If you have any questions about how your funding terms apply to your individual circumstances, please contact your Graduate School.
Residency and study location requirements for funded PGRs
As a UKRI or University of Leeds-funded postgraduate researcher, you’re normally expected to be resident in the UK for the majority of your studies.
This is because you are required to attend in-person activities associated with your programme, including regular supervision sessions.
To ensure you receive the support and resources you need, you must live within a reasonable travel distance of the university or collaborative organisation. This helps you:
- Stay connected with your school and supervisor
- Access essential training, mentoring, and facilities
- Avoid isolation and keep regular in-person academic engagement.
There are some circumstances where being away from your primary location is allowed, such as:
- Fieldwork
- Study visits
- Conference attendance
- Placements and Internships
- Reasonable adjustments for disabled students
These exceptions must be directly related to your research and approved as part of your study plan.
Leave categories
University of Leeds and UKRI funded PGRs may be eligible to access paid leave in the following categories:
For details of unpaid leave not covered in these three types of absence leave, please read the Taking time out of your research and the Postgraduate research support and wellbeing pages.
Evidence may be needed to support your leave. Read more about our list of accepted documents.
Limits on paid medical and additional leave
There are limits on paid leave entitlements.
The total amount of paid leave specifically for medical and additional leave is limited to a maximum of 28 weeks within any 12-month rolling period. Over the full duration of the studentship, the maximum cumulative amount of paid leave that can be claimed for these two categories is 52 weeks.
This limit does not apply to other categories of leave, such as family leave or annual leave, which are subject to separate provisions.
Beyond this, further suspensions of study (ie time away from the programme) may be permitted; however, these additional periods will be unpaid.