Maternity, Paternity or Adoption Leave


How do I request a period of maternity, paternity or adoption leave?

 

I'm considering requesting maternity, paternity or adoption leave. What do I need to do next?

I'm not funded. Can I request maternity, paternity or adoption leave?

If you need to take a period of leave for maternity, paternity or adoption, and are not in receipt of any funding, or you wish to take a period of leave after your funding has ended, you can request an interruption for maternity, paternity or adoption leave using the form below.

Maternity leave

If you are not currently being funded, you are entitled to take up to 12 months maternity leave. During this time, you will retain access to University facilities and your deadlines will be extended by the length of your leave.

If you require any leave beyond the 12 months, this should be requested as a standard period of interruption.

Paternity leave

Full-time  research  students  who  are  new  fathers and are not currently funded have the right to apply for an interruption of studies for up to 13 weeks, within the first 12 months after the birth of the child. During this time, you will retain access to University facilities and your deadlines will be extended by the length of your leave.

If you require any leave beyond the 13 weeks, this should be requested as a standard period of interruption.

Adoption leave

If you are not currently being funded, you are entitled to take up to 12 months adoption leave. During this time, you will retain access to University facilities and your deadlines will be extended by the length of your leave.

If you require any leave beyond the 12 months, this should be requested as a standard period of interruption.

I'm funded. Can I request maternity, paternity or adoption leave?

Please see the advice for studentship recipients for further information before submitting this form.

Does my request for maternity, paternity or adoption leave need to be formally approved?

No, the leave is a period of time that you are entitled to, should you require this, and we do not need to send this for formal approval. We just ask that you supply the MATB1 form or adoption documents as evidence.

What is my student status during maternity, paternity or adoption leave?

Students who have interrupted their studies on the grounds of maternity, paternity or adoption remain registered students of the University and subject to University Regulations, and retain the use of University facilities. As such you must complete enrolment accordingly.

Will I still retain access to University facilities?

Yes, if your interruption is due to maternity, paternity or adoption leave, you will retain access to facilities throughout the whole period of leave. We will inform the relevant colleagues of this, but if you find any problems when accessing facilities, just let us know!

What if I need longer than 12 months / 13 weeks?

If you require a period of leave that exceeds 12 months (maternity and adoption leave) or 13 weeks (paternity leave), this period of time should be applied for as a period of interruption and this will need to go through a formal approval process. Please read about the interruption process for more information.

What happens to my fees if I take maternity, paternity or adoption leave?

Your fee liability will reduced pro-rata for the period of any leave taken. When resuming your studies, you will be charged fees at the rate in the year of your return, and not at the rate of the year in which you interrupted your studies.

If you do not return from interruption and subsequently withdraw, the date of withdrawal is taken as the start of the interruption and fee liability is calculated accordingly. If you have any queries about your fee liability, please contact us.

I hold a Student Route Visa (formerly Tier 4), can I request maternity, paternity or adoption leave?

If you are studying at Royal Holloway under a Student Route Visa, your interruption will be reported to UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) and you will be required to leave the UK within 60 days. You will have to re-apply for a new visa three months prior to the resumption of your studies at Royal Holloway. The UKVI will be provided with the most recent contact details that we have recorded for you on Campus Connect. For further advice, please contact International Advice at internationaladvice@royalholloway.ac.uk.

 

I've decided to request maternity, paternity or adoption leave. What do I need to do?

How do I request an interruption of studies due to maternity, paternity or adoption?

If you wish to request an interruption of studies of up to 12 months on the grounds of maternity or adoption, or 13 weeks on the grounds of paternity, you must submit the online maternity, paternity and adoption leave form below.

  • You MUST read all sections above before completing the online maternity, paternity and adoption leave form.
  • You must contact your supervisor to arrange an appointment to discuss the details of your interruption.

Completing the form 

  • You must complete sections A to C of the online form and submit
  • You must upload your MATB1 or proof of adoption.
  • You will be required to provide your University email address to commence this form.

Section A - Student details

This will require your basic details including your student ID number, programme of studies and supervisor details.

Section B - Details of your request

This will require details including the dates for your request, (both start and return from interruption as agreed with your supervisor), as well as uploading your MATB1 form or proof of adoption.

Section C - Student's confirmation

This will require your confirmation that you have read, understood and acted on the advice as set out in these guidelines.

Submit

By submitting your form you are confirming that you would like the Doctoral School to start processing your request, in line with the process guidance provided above, and all the information you have provided on the form is true and correct.

You will receive an automated confirmation email, along with a copy of the details of your form once your application has been successfully submitted.

Tips for completing the form

It is advisable that you follow the steps below in order to ensure you submit your request successfully:

  • Use Google Chrome to access the form;
  • Delete cached data and cookies before you start completing the form;
  • When navigating through the form, use the ‘Previous’/ ‘Next’ buttons at the bottom of the page rather than the ‘Return’ arrow of the browser.

What happens next?

The maternity, paternity and adoption leave form will be sent to your supervisor to confirm they support your request.

The Doctoral School will update your record, and send you an email to confirm your new deadlines.

Maternity / paternity / adoption form for postgraduate researchers

  • In completing this form I confirm that I have read and acted on the guidance and advice provided above, and understand the consequences of interrupting my studies. I would like to continue with my interruption of study request on the grounds of maternity, paternity or adoption leave
  • To start this process, please enter your Royal Holloway email below:
  • If you answer ´No´ you will not be able to progress further with this form.

 

 

 

Contact us

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By phone:

  • 01784 276886
  • Manned 10am-4pm, Tuesday to Thursday

In person:

  • Visit our helpdesk in room S1-05, Founders South Tower
  • Open 10am-4pm on Tuesdays

Quick links

A to Z for PGR students

Maternity, paternity or adoption advice for funded students

Code of Practice for research degree students and supervisors

Doctoral School processing turnaround times