Maternity, paternity and parental leave for postgraduate researchers

Risk assessments

All pregnant PGRs must complete an individual risk assessment to ensure a safe and appropriate working environment during this time

If you are funded by UKRI you should complete a risk assessment in the following circumstances:

• during pregnancy 
• upon returning to studies while breastfeeding 
• if you have returned to research within six months of giving birth. 

If you are not UKRI-funded, it is not a requirement to complete additional risk assessments at these points (if applicable) but is considered good practice.

Download a risk assessment (PDF) to complete with your supervisor. 

Our Policy on support for pregnant students and students with very young children health and safety risk assessment (PDF) may help you fill out the risk assessment.

Requesting leave

• Speak to your Graduate School to organise your maternity leave. It is usually agreed through a suspension of studies or authorised absence but your Graduate School can help you find the best route to fit your circumstances. As part of this, you will need to provide your MATB1 certificate. This is a certificate your doctor or midwife can provide for you free of charge.   
• If you are funded externally, contact your sponsor or scholarship provider. If you are funded by by UKRI or University of Leeds, check Maternity and adoption leave entitlements for UKRI or University of Leeds funded PGRs.
• If you are on a Student Visa, it is essential to seek advice by emailing the Student Visa Advice team at studentvisaadvice@leeds.ac.uk. Understanding visa restrictions and any associated costs related to your maternity leave is crucial. The University is required to report any period of suspension, including maternity leave, to UKVI. However, periods of authorised absence or annual leave do not need to be reported to UKVI.
• Agree how often you would like contact from your supervisor and how you prefer to be contacted. It may be useful to add this information to your PGR-supervisor agreement. If you would like to be included in specific research activities or events such as conferences please let your supervisors know.

While you are on leave, there are some things to bear in mind:

• Organise your Keeping In Touch (KiT) days with your supervisors (optional). Funded students may be eligible to be paid for these days. You can use a KiT day to stay connected with your research while on leave. This might include:
  • attending a research seminar, supervision meeting, or training session
  • participating in a group or departmental meeting to stay informed
  • working on a specific aspect of your research project.
• Consider whether an updated individual risk assessment is required for when you return (check the Before your maternity leave section on this page for more details)  
• Prepare for your return date:
  • Contact your supervisors and Graduate School at least one month before your return, to organise your first supervision meeting and discuss any support requirements that you have. 
  • Your Graduate School will contact you about re-registering following your period of leave. 
  • For health reasons, you should not return to University for at least two (in some cases four) weeks after giving birth, depending on the nature of your work. Read the Policy on support for pregnant students and students with very young children (Word doc) for further information.
• If you are not ready or able to return to your research at the end of your maternity leave, your supervisors or Graduate School can advise on your options for a further suspension of studies or periods of authorised absence. If you are a funded PGR, check with your funder if you are eligible for maternity pay during this period.
• You may be eligible to return to your studies part-time. Your supervisors or Graduate School team can advise you on your options.
• If you feel that you cannot continue with your research degree please discuss this with your supervisors or Graduate School team. If you are a funded PGR you should refer to the terms and conditions of your scholarship to understand whether you would be expected to repay any maternity pay.

Here is a checklist to help you to prepare:

• Speak to your Graduate School to organise your adoption leave. It is usually agreed through a suspension of studies or authorised absence but your Graduate School can help you find the best route to fit your circumstances. As part of this, you will need to provide a letter to your Graduate School from your adoption agency or matching certificate. 
• Speak to your supervisors or Graduate School to discuss any adjustments you may require to support your circumstances.
• Check adoption pay entitlements for funded PGRs. Adoption pay is usually only paid to the main adopter only. Students funded by an external sponsor should contact their sponsor or scholarship provider directly to confirm their entitlements. If you are funded by by UKRI or University of Leeds, check Maternity and adoption leave entitlements for UKRI or University of Leeds funded PGRs.
• If you are an international PGR sponsored on a Student Visa, it is essential to seek advice by emailing the Student Visa Advice team at studentvisaadvice@leeds.ac.uk. Understanding visa restrictions and any associated costs related to your adoption leave is crucial. The University is required to report any period of suspension, including adoption leave, to UKVI. However, periods of authorised absence or annual leave do not need to be reported to UKVI.
• Agree how often you would like contact from your supervisor and how you prefer to be contacted. It may be useful to add this information to your PGR-supervisor agreement. If you would like to be included in specific research activities or events such as conferences please let your supervisors know.

Whilst you are on leave, there are some things to bear in mind. Here is a short checklist to help you:

• Organise your Keeping In Touch (KiT) days with your supervisors (optional). Funded students may be eligible to be paid for these days.
• Prepare for your return date. You will have agreed a date for returning to your studies prior to starting your adoption leave. It is expected that you will liaise with your supervisors or Graduate School at least one month before your return to organise your first supervision meeting and discuss any support requirements that you have. Your Graduate School will provide you with information about re-registering following your period of leave.
• If you are not ready or able to return to your research at the end of your adoption leave please discuss this with your supervisors or Graduate School who can support you with options for a further suspension of studies or periods of authorised absence, if one is required. If you are a funded PGR you should check with your funder if you are eligible for maternity pay during this period.
• You may be eligible to return to your studies part-time after a period of adoption leave. Your supervisors or Graduate School team will be able to advise you on your options.
• If you feel that you cannot continue with your research degree please discuss this with your supervisors or Graduate School team. If you are a funded PGR you should refer to the terms and conditions of your scholarship to understand whether you would be expected to repay any adoption leave pay.