Sabbatical leave normally runs for a period of six months, either from 1 February to 31 July or from 1 August to 31 January, or exceptionally over 12 months. Shorter research leave arrangements can be agreed at the discretion of the Head of Department (HoD). Please note, applications of 12 months will only be considered for sabbaticals starting in August.
Before you apply
All applications will require support from the HoD and Dean. Please ensure your HoD/Director of Institute is aware of your intention to submit an application for research leave, so they can sign off on your form in a timely manner.
Where more than one member of staff is applying from the same Department, Faculty or School, the HoD and Dean will be asked to rank those applications.
Making an application
You must complete the research sabbatical application form. There is a separate section on the form if you're applying for sabbatical leave in the Institute for Policy Research (IPR).
There are two application rounds each year.
Round 1
Applications invited for sabbaticals starting in August 2024 or February 2025. The deadline for Round 1 of the 2023/24 scheme is Tuesday 7 November 2023.
Round 2
Applications invited for sabbaticals starting in August 2024 or February 2025. The deadline for Round 2 of the 2023/24 scheme is Tuesday 20 February 2024.
After you apply
The Research Sabbatical Committee will appraise all applications to ensure each period of research leave contributes towards the delivery of the University strategy, objectives for research and associated KPIs.
The Research Sabbatical Committee will make recommendations to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise).
If successful, and you are responsible for the supervision of PhD students, you should ensure appropriate alternative arrangements are made and that the Doctoral College is informed of the change.
End of sabbatical report form
If successful, you will be expected to submit a sabbatical report 12 months after the sabbatical ends.
Download the end of sabbatical report form.
Further information
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion related data on applications and on approved sabbaticals will be collected at the decision-making stage and used for reporting purposes.
Find out more information about the sabbatical leave scheme.