Illness and medical leave
If illness or injury significantly interrupts your research, discuss a formal study break with your DoS. Taking time to recover is presented as a supportive step, not a failure.
Stipend provision in the framework
Students receiving a stipend who are on a formal study break covered by a medical certificate continue receiving it for up to 13 weeks within any 12-month period. Those certified-sickness payments are additional to the standard 36 payments described for the original studentship, extending it by a corresponding period.
Confirm application to your particular award with the Operations Team, especially if externally funded or on a non-standard studentship. Do not assume every short illness automatically triggers extra stipend payments.
What to do
- Tell your DoS about the impact on your ability to work.
- Discuss RD7 at a review-panel meeting with your IPC present.
- Agree evidence, dates, stipend arrangements and appropriate contact during the break.
- Check any visa implications.
Detailed personal information need not be placed on RD7 where the DoS can confirm the circumstances, but medical evidence may be required. For ongoing disability-related needs also see Disability support and adjustments. For illness affecting corrections use Extending a corrections deadline.
Sources: Framework §§3.10, 5.4, pp. 33, 56–59. Medical stipend provision.