Suspending your PGR studies
Learn more about how to pause your doctoral study.
What is a Suspension of Studies?
A Suspension of Studies, or leave of absence, is a period of time when your doctoral programme is paused to allow you to take a break.
All doctoral candidates are entitled to request a suspension due to extenuating circumstances such as accidents, death or serious ill-health of a close relative, parental leave or significant issues beyond your control.
Suspensions may be between a minimum of one month and a maximum of a year.
If you apply for a suspension, your NTU registration is temporarily suspended for the duration of your leave. While you are on leave, any fee payment requirements will be paused and any deadlines (such as annual monitoring or submissions) will be postponed.
Although you will still be supported by NTU, your access to facilities such as the library and your email will also be paused.
How to apply for a Suspension of Studies
If you feel that you need to pause your doctoral study, you should first discuss your options with your supervisory team. Your supervisors will be able to help you decide if a suspension is the best choice for you, and how long you might need to suspend your studies for.
If you decide to apply for a Suspension of Studies, you will need to submit sufficient evidence in support of your application. Once you've met with your supervisors, you can submit your request for a suspension via the .
The evidence you need may differ depending on your situation (e.g. a doctors note). If you're unsure, please contact the Doctoral School for advice.
Returning after a Suspension of Studies
When you return to NTU after your suspension, your doctoral studies resume immediately. On the first day of your return, you need to inform the Doctoral School so that we can reactivate your candidate status.
Please email the Doctoral School with your details (name, the name of your supervisor, your N number, and your academic school) to let us know that you have returned to your studies.
While all NTU services become available to you as soon as you return, it may take up to two weeks to get your accounts and permissions fully reactivated.
What support is available?
There are a number of resources you can access during your time at NTU if you experience any health issues or difficulties in your personal circumstances, via Student Support Services.
You can find out more about requesting sick leave, taking parental leave, phased returns, and fitness to study on our PGR Wellbeing page.