Family and compassionate leave
Discuss leave dates and funding with your DoS and the Operations Team. Formal study-break procedures and specific stipend provisions need to be considered together.
What §3.11 provides
| Leave | Framework provision |
|---|---|
| Maternity | Up to 52 weeks as a formal study break; stipend recipients: 26 weeks full stipend, next 13 at a level commensurate with statutory maternity pay, final 13 unpaid |
| Adoption, main adopter | Same stipend terms as maternity |
| Partner/paternity/maternity support | Up to two weeks with no break in stipend |
| Shared parental | Opening paragraph allows up to 52 weeks as a study break; the specific provision says up to 50 weeks leave and 37 weeks pay. Confirm the allocation applicable to your situation |
| Bereavement | Up to 10 days’ paid leave, pro rata, including death of a parent, close relative or child |
| Pregnancy loss before 24 weeks | 10 days’ paid leave, pro rata, for the person experiencing loss or their partner, including surrogacy |
| Other compassionate grounds/domestic emergencies | Paid leave may be offered |
Maternity stipend payments are additional to the standard 36-payment studentship described in the framework and extend it correspondingly. Adoption for the main adopter follows the same terms. Do not assume separate shared-parental pay wording means every week is paid at the full stipend rate.
Arrange the process
Use Taking a study break where applicable, and have payment decisions recorded on RD7. Short leave should be coordinated with the School; do not force a two-week entitlement into the general one-month minimum suspension rule without checking the appropriate recording route.
Check your award/funder conditions and visa implications. Discuss any need to exceed the normal cumulative suspension limit early. All students’ leave is managed under annual, family, medical and additional categories, regardless of funding source; payment provisions still depend on the relevant entitlement.
Sources: Framework §§3.11–3.12, 5.4, pp. 33, 56–59. Read the source.