Leave Of Absence

CAHSS recommend that you inform Supervisors where you are currently located during your regular engagement events, which should take place no less than every 4-weeks. If you are stdying off campus your school will request that a LoA form is completed to record location, risk assessment, etc. This information will assist us to ensure support is also being provided for all our PGR students during this period. If you hold a student visa please contact the Student Immigration Service to find out how this LoA will affect your visa:

 Student Immigration Service | The University of Edinburgh 

Students who are not on distance learning programmes will normally carry out their research in or near the University. At times, however, it may be desirable or necessary for students to conduct some of their research elsewhere.

Short Leave of Absence For all absences/off-campus activity of 5-30 days students may apply for leave to move away from their normal (term-time) residence to continue their studies for temporary periods at a more remote location. If you are going to be off campus at any point you must submit an application for a short Leave of Absence. 

Managing short Leave of Absence process | The University of Edinburgh

For any off-campus/study away of more than 30 days please follow the instructions issued by your Graduate School as this must be recorded on EUCLID.

• if you are absent from the University without proper authorisation, there may be non-attendance implications, particularly if you are receiving funding.
• The University of Edinburgh has legal responsibilities for students during study.

This Leave of Absence means that you are still a student at the University of Edinburgh, you still have access to the University's facilities, and you are still undertaking work in relation to your degree programme, but that you are not physically in Edinburgh. While you are on leave of absence you must remain in touch with your Supervisor, and it will be assumed that you receive any University emails sent to you on your student email account (e.g. from Student Administration, Fees, etc).

Please note that you have a right to request a Leave of Absence, but there is no automatic entitlement to being granted one. All Leave of Absence requests must be approved by the School, and before you leave Edinburgh.    All applications for Leave of Absence must be approved by the School Postgraduate Director. Some Schools have this process set up electronically. Check with your Graduate School for the process relating to your individual School. Applications for Leave of Absence greater than 12 months will require approval from College.

Further information is available from the Academic Services webpages:

https://www.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/students