Phase 2 of the Covid non-funded extension scheme is focussed on those of you with a submission deadline this calendar year and combines a blanket extension with the opportunity to apply for a further extension if your circumstances demand it.
12 week blanket extension
A 12 week blanket deadline extension (unfunded) will be granted automatically to Masters by Research students with a submission deadline before 31 December 2021.
The Doctoral School will be contacting all of you who are eligible by 12 March to confirm your new deadline under this scheme.
Application for a further extension
We understand that there will be some of you with a deadline this year for whom this 12 weeks does not adequately reflect the extent that the pandemic has impacted on your progress, regardless of any mitigating steps you have tried to take. If you fall into this category, we welcome an application from you for a further extension (unfunded) to your deadline.
Phase 2 Covid-19 deadline extension application form
Not eligible under this scheme?
For those of you with a submission deadline after December 2021 (e.g. those of you who are in your 1st year part-time) whose progress has been adversely affected by Covid-19, we invite you to submit a Covid non-funded deadline extension application once you are within 12 months of your submission deadline. In the meantime, please continue to work with your supervisor to reshape your research where possible to help minimise the impact and please continue to keep an informal log of how you have been affected, so that you have all the details to hand when the time comes for you to apply for the extension.
Still have questions?
Please have a look at the FAQs below but if you are not able to find the answer to your query there, please do not hesitate to contact the Doctoral School at doctoralschool@rhul.ac.uk.
FAQs
No - don’t worry if you are on course to submit by your original deadline and don’t want to be held up; the blanket extension is there to use if you want it but does not prevent you from submitting earlier.
Yes - all postgraduate researchers (except DClinPsy students) with a current submission deadline before 31 December 2021 are eligible for the blanket non-funded extension, regardless of whether you were granted a funding extension or non-funded submission deadline extension under phase 1 of the scheme.
- Complete section 1 of the Phase 2 Covid-19 deadline extension application form
- The maximum period that can be requested at any one time is 6 months
- Forward the completed form to your supervisor for approval;
- Your supervisor completes section 2 to confirm their support for the request
- Your supervisor forwards the completed form and any available evidence to doctoralschool@royalholloway.ac.uk;
- The Doctoral School sends the request to your School Director of PGR Education for approval;
- All previous extensions granted due to Covid-19 will be taken into consideration when making a decision
- All evidence submitted and mitigation strategies employed will be considered when making a decision
- The Doctoral School informs you and your supervisor of the outcome and your student record is updated accordingly.
No - there is no fee attached to any extensions granted due to Covid-19.
For the most up to date Government guidance for UK visa holders please visit their webpages - gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents.
If an extension is granted which takes your period of study beyond your Student Route/Tier 4 visa end date, you may be eligible to apply for a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to renew your student visa. However, this is not guaranteed as it will be dependent on your eligibility for further Student Route/Tier 4 leave. Where it is not possible to issue you with another CAS you will be required to complete your studies in your home country. If you later require to return to the UK for your viva you will need to obtain a short-term study visa.
For further immigration advice please contact the International Student Support Office at internationaladvice@royalholloway.ac.uk.
If your submission deadline is not in this calendar year and you are concerned about the impact of Covid-19 on your progress, you may wish to consider interrupting your studies for a period of time, until you are able to access resources etc. more easily. By interrupting, your submission deadline would be extended by the duration of the interruption.
If you are funded or sponsored by Royal Holloway on a student visa however, please be aware of the particular consequences of interrupting your studies.
Find out more about the interruption process.