1. The home of current students
  2. Postgraduate Research
  3. Regulations, Policy and Processes
  4. Annual Leave

Annual Leave

Annual Leave is the term used for the number of days a PGR student can take off from their studies each year e.g., for holidays or a short break from research. Students do not engage in study during this time and may be away from campus.

It is important that students take time out from their studies in order to maintain an appropriate work/life balance. Research degrees have an annual leave allowance apportioned to them, therefore taking a period of annual leave does not alter the end date of research programmes.

  1. Full-time PGR students are entitled to take a maximum of 31 days per year, plus statutory holidays. For part-time students this will be pro-rata.
  2. The annual leave calendar runs on a 12-month basis from the start date of the student's programme (i.e., 1st Oct – 30th Sep; 1st Jan – 31st Dec; 1st Apr – 31st Mar; 1st Jul – 30th Jun) and should be taken in a given 12-month period.
  3. PGR students are expected to agree annual leave requests with their supervisor(s) and to give reasonable advance notice e.g., at least one week’s notice for annual leave of a week or more. If a supervisor refuses a request for annual leave and the student is not in agreement, the decision can be escalated to the faculty PGR Academic Lead (or their nominee) for review.
  4. PGR students should consider the timing of any periods of leave to ensure it does not significantly impact their studies e.g., for progression or annual review deadlines, conference deadlines/attendance. PGR students who are employed as Teaching Assistants should ensure that annual leave does not interfere with their teaching duties.
  5. No single period of annual leave should exceed four weeks, unless agreed with the supervisor(s) and justification provided.
  6. It is recommended supervisors record periods of PGR annual leave on e-vision (RMS - Research Management System).

This entitlement takes effect from 1st July 2023 and will be reviewed on an annual basis.

If a PGR student is supported by a student visa, they must contact their PGR Faculty Professional Service Team, and Student Compliance Services via tier4attendance@swansea.ac.uk prior to requesting a period of annual leave in case it affects their visa.

If a PGR student is on a joint/double/collaborative programme with another institution, they should note that different rules may apply during their time at the partner institution.