Changes to the Student Journey
During the student journey, some students may experience life events that require additionalsupport to complete their studies. This theme houses policies, procedures and guidance for assistingstudentswho may require extra support, or breaks in their study,as well as informing and guiding staff on ways toprovide the best possible advice and support. The consultation for these policies and procedures will take place in the 2026/27 academic year.
Student Pregnancy, Maternity and New Parent Policy
This document sets out the University’s Policy on the arrangements and the support available to students if they are pregnant (including the requirements if they need time away from their programme due to antenatal care appointments), or are undergoing fertility treatment, adoption or surrogacy. It also outlines the support available for students who are new parents, including maternity, adoption and paternity (or secondary carer/partner) arrangements, and applies to all registered Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught students across the University. The Policy provides a brief outline of the relevant legislation and considerations and sets out the main principles which staff and students must adhere to.
Student Pregnancy, Maternity and New Parent Procedure
This document sets out the procedures required to adhere to the Student Pregnancy, Maternity and New Parent Policy. Following this document allows staff members to support students with a broad range of aspects of pregnancy, maternity and parenthood. This document must be read alongside the policy document.
Policy on Mitigating Circumstances and Coursework Extensions
During their studies, students may experience significant, unforeseeable events which negatively affect their ability to submit work, attend an assessment or perform to their usual standard in an assessment of any type. In such cases, students can apply for mitigating circumstances. In cases where students are experiencing a one-off or isolated incident relating to their health or other personal circumstances, or a worsening of an existing medical or health condition, they may request a coursework extension. This policy explains when students can make a mitigating circumstances and/or coursework extension request, how these requests are assessed, and what mitigation and/ or extension may be applied if their request is approved.
Procedure for Extensions
This document sets out the procedures for considering students’ requests for extensions to their coursework or other written assessments.
Policy on Interruptions and Guidance for staff/students
This Policy sets out the University’s policy on interruptions to taught programmes, in cases where the student might need to apply to interrupt their studies if they are affected by personal or other factors that might disrupt them.
The supporting Guidance for Students on Interruptions document provides more detail on how to apply, how the School will consider any applications to interrupt studies, and what students would need to do depending on whether or not the application to interrupt has been successful.
The Guidance for Staff accompanies the Policy and must be read in conjunction with it. This document provides guidance for temporary study interruptions from undergraduate and postgraduate students. Schools are responsible for guiding students through implications, including academic, financial, and support services impacts. Agreements between the School and the student must be documented, including return dates and any special arrangements for coursework. Final approval for interruptions is granted by a designated panel within each School.
Procedure for student self-certification of absence from learning
This document sets out the University’s procedure for Student Self-Certification of Absence from Learning. This outlines the arrangements for notifying the University through the use of self-certification for students who miss learning opportunities due to short-term illness or inability to access or engage with their studies. The procedure applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate taught students undertaking programmes of study at the University of Manchester, including those undertaking a placement period.
Policy on Advising Taught Students
This policy defines the University’s provision of support and advice, both academic and wellbeing/welfare related to undergraduate and postgraduate taught students during their period of study at Manchester University through the Advising role. Academic Advisors serve as personal contacts within a student’s subject area, offering guidance on academic performance, orientation within their discipline, and connections to additional support services.
Useful Links:
- Use our A-Z to search all our policies and procedures
For general queries, please e-mail teaching-policy@manchester.ac.uk