More information on reasons for exceptional short-term absence can be found in section 4.6. of the Regulations for Research Degree Programmes. 

Length of absence 

An exceptional short-term absence will not pause your studies, so it must only be taken for a limited time.

For most situations an exceptional short-term absence would be up to five days. A longer period of time can be taken for bereaved parents. See details of the time allowed for exceptional short-term absences in section 4.6 of the Regulations for Research Degree Programmes.

Sometimes your circumstances may mean you need to take more time away from your studies or you may need to pause your studies. If this happens, please contact your main supervisor to discuss suspending your studies. Suspending will allow you to pause your studies and your study end date will be adjusted accordingly.  

Get advice or support 

Talk to your supervisor so they know about your situation and can help you consider any other academic support that may be suitable.

There is support and guidance available through the health and wellbeing services and you can request wellbeing support.

Learn about the support available if you are affected by a caring, family or relationship issue, or bereavement. 

Things to consider 

Your studies 

Taking an exceptional short-term absence will not change your study end date or your final submission date. If you need to pause your studies, contact your supervisor to discuss suspending your studies.

You will continue to have access to your University account and all University systems and buildings you currently use. You will still get all regular communications from us. 

Funding 

If you receive UKRI or University of Bristol funding you will still receive funding as normal. See information about this in Annex 15 of the Regulations for Research Degree Programmes. If you receive funding from another organisation please check, with their terms and conditions, to see whether you are still eligible to receive funding during your absence.

If you are not eligible to receive funding please let your supervisor know when you report your absence so that your school can update your funding records. 

Students who have a visa 

If you have a Tier 4 / Student Visa, you will continue to have your engagement monitored during your absence. 

Report your absence 

You do not need approval to take an exceptional short-term absence, but you must let your main supervisor know.

It may not always be possible to let your supervisor know in advance, if you are dealing with an emergency, but please let your main supervisor know about your absence as soon as you can. If you are reporting your absence after you have returned to your studies let your supervisor know the dates you were absent.

A record of your absence may be kept by your school.

When you are ready to return to your studies let your main supervisor know the date you will resume study.