Applying for an interruption
If you have personal difficulties or circumstances that make it difficult to continue with your studies, you can use this form to tell us about them and apply for an interruption to your studies.
We recommend that you discuss your plans with your supervisor(s) and Doctoral Academy first, before applying for an interruption of studies. This will help determine if it is the most suitable arrangement for you.
Interrupting your studies can affect:
- your finances, including existing loans, tuition fee agreements, stipend/maintenance payments and sponsorship arrangements;
- future funding or loan bids;
- your accommodation, for example if you are living in halls of residence;
- your visa status (if you are an international student) - interruptions for more than 60 days can have implications for students with a student visa. Further guidance is available from the Student Immigration Team.
We will ask you to provide any relevant documents and correspondence in support of your application. Details of the types of evidence that may be suitable can be found in the guidance and policy documents linked below.
Completing the form
Before completing the form, you should have:
- read and understood implications for your tuition fees and your financial situation;
- read and understood the Change of Circumstances Policy for Postgraduate Research Students;
- read and understood the Interruptions Procedure for Postgraduate Research Students;
- discussed the interruption with the Doctoral Academy and with your supervisor(s);
- discussed any ATAS and visa implications with the Student Immigration Team if you are an international PGR;
- discussed the interruption with your sponsor if you are on a funded studentship. If the funder’s terms and conditions require the funder to confirm that you are eligible to apply for this interruption, you will need to attach evidence of this approval as part of your application (this evidence should also confirm if the funder is willing to pay additional tuition fees and/or living costs if appropriate);
- checked your contact details in My Manchester and made sure we have a correct permanent address and non-University email address for you;
- made sure you are aware applications for interruptions of less than four weeks or an interruption during the submission pending period are not permitted.
What you will need to complete the form
You will need a letter of support from your supervisor.
The letter can be a copy of an email sent by your supervisor, or a Word or PDF document written by them. Where applicable, the letter should contain the following:
- A note, if appropriate, on the current status of the research/project and thesis
- Confirmation all interested parties (e.g. research sponsors, research collaborators, and the Visa Team) have been consulted and agree to support the interruption.
You will need any relevant accompanying evidence to support your application. Examples of evidence we accept include:
- extracts from your medical notes (you can request these from your GP practice);
- medical certificate or sick note from your GP practice
- letters from a doctor or medical professional about a change in your health or the health of someone close to you;
- a copy of your prescription or photo of name label on prescribed medication;
- appointment cards from medical unit or hospital admissions letter;
- confirmation text of medical appointment;
- communications from a school or care facility confirming that they are closed or the person you care for is unable to attend;
- an obituary or letter from a family member, in the case of bereavement;
- financial records, such as bank statements or letters from debt collection agencies;
- police, security or insurance report;
- press or media report;
- internal confirmation of existing engagement with our counselling / Advice and Response service.
If you are registered with DASS (Disability Advisory and Support Service) and this relates to your reason for interruption, please let us know as you may not need to supply new evidence.
You should provide supporting evidence to allow your application to be considered, such as:
- a diagnosis of the illness/mental health problem;
- history of the illness/mental health problem;
- treatment plan and how long that would be expected to take to see improvements (if applicable);
- for interruptions of 12 months, health care professionals support of the application for interruption of studies;
Types of interruption you can apply for:
- Interruption due to mitigating circumstances
- Interruption for the purpose of maternity
- Interruption for the purpose of adoption
- Interruption for the purpose of unpaid parental leave
- Interruption for the purpose of sickness
- Interruption for the purpose of internship
- Interruption for the purpose of jury service
Postgraduate researchers can self-refer to the Occupational Health Service in confidence. Unless consent is given by the PGR, no contact will be made with a People and Organisation Development (POD) Partner, line manager, supervisor or Head of PGR without consent. Please visit the Occupational Health Service website for more information and contact details.
Categories when making your request
- Caring responsibilities: for example changes to childcare or other caring arrangements.
- Maternity / paternity / adoption leave
- Health, including mental and physical health: this includes short-term mental health difficulties such as bereavement or stress (generally expected to last less than one year), and longer-term difficulties (that have lasted or are expected to last for at least a year) e.g., diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder, eating disorders, personality disorders, mood disorders and psychosis. Short-term physical health may include routine operations or an accident. Longer-term difficulties may relate to an underlying health issue e.g., chronic fatigue, epilepsy, back conditions.
- Personal issues: a broad definition that may include bereavement, family health, personal relationships and unexpected changes to your source of funding.
- Unforeseen changes to research or programme: this may include changes to the research project caused for example by ethics delays or equipment problems, change of supervisor, or requests to return to work.
- Other: Any other issues which cannot be categorised in one of the six main categories.
Postgraduate researchers can self-refer to the Occupational Health Service in confidence and there will be no report or contact with Human Resources Partner/line manager or the School/tutors without consent. Please visit the Occupational Health website for more information and contact details.
Next steps
Your application will be processed and reviewed by the Doctoral Academy who will contact you with the outcome as soon as possible. Once your application and supporting documents are received it will be reviewed by your home department and then by the FSE Degrees Panel for a decision. It can take up to 5 weeks for this process to take place and to be notified of a decision. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application at least two months before the end of your programme.
During an approved interruption, all communications to you from the University will be sent to your university email address. You should continue to regularly check your university email address, including the junk folder.
As you approach your return from interruption date, you will need to liaise with the Doctoral Academy about your return date and any support requirements that you may have. It is recommended that this happens at least one month before your agreed return date.
If your interruption was permitted as a result of medical-related reasons, you may need to provide a letter from your healthcare professional which states that you are fit to return to your studies, and we may need to seek advice from Occupational Health. If your circumstances are not sufficiently changed to allow you to return, you will need to make an application for a further interruption, but you should not assume that this will automatically be granted.