Absences during training activities

Attendance at DTP workshops and events is mandatory but we recognise that occasionally other obligations may clash with our events. In these instances you must seek, with as much notice as possible, authorisation from the SSCP DTP management team to be excused. Please contact the SSCP DTP Doctoral Training Coordinator in the first instance.

Interruption of studies

This should be requested when a personal emergency or other circumstances arise which mean that you need to take a break from your studies. No fees nor stipend are payable for such a period, during which your research registration is effectively suspended.
Retrospective or backdated interruptions cannot be considered unless there are exceptional circumstances and a compelling case. Any retrospective interruptions will need approval from the student’s Director of Postgraduate Studies and the Academic Registrar.

To arrange this you should liaise with your senior tutor, supervisor and Departmental Postgraduate Administrator.  Secondly you must inform the SSCP DTP Doctoral Training Coordinator of the dates that cover your interruption. Once this has been done, you can submit a request to interrupt via MyImperial. Further information available via this Imperial webpage.

If you are an international student you will have to leave the UK for the period of your interruption, an exception to this would be if you had been declared unfit to travel. Please see further information for international students on how your visa may be affected by an interruption of studies.

Absence through illness or for personal reasons

If you are unable to attend College because of illness or urgent personal circumstances, you should inform your supervisor or the Department as soon as practicable. College regulations require that postgraduate students inform their Postgraduate Tutor if they are absent from College for more than three days during term. If the absence is due to illness, a medical certificate must be produced after
seven days. If the absence is prolonged, normally four weeks or longer, it will be necessary to request an interruption of studies.
Where an interruption of studies is taken on health grounds, a condition of the interruption being granted is that you will be required to provide medical evidence as to your fitness to return to your studies.

Full guidelines for Interruption of Studies can be found here.

We take the welfare of our students very seriously and will try to provide all the assistance we can if you encounter problems of any kind.

It is not uncommon for students to feel periods of intense pressure. If you are having any difficulties, either with your research or with personal matters, your first contact should be your supervisor. Please also contact Anne Houston.

Within the College there is a number of services available to support you, most notably the Student Counselling and Mental Health Advice Service. They have a student mental health adviser (SMHA) whose role is to provide support for students who may have had, or are experiencing, moderate to severe mental health difficulties. Students need to be referred by a member of College staff, with the student’s permission, in order to be seen by the SMHA. The SMHA is unable to take self-referrals from students or their family and friends.

The Student Counselling and Mental Health Advice Service also delivers workshops on relaxation, self-esteem, procrastination and mindfulness. 

This blog by the FoNS Wellbeing Advisors offeres tips to those who suffer from impostor syndrome, but also provides a link to useful Imperial resources.

Links to further support:

- https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/graduate-school/staff/supervisors-guidebook/wellbeing/wellbeing-students/
- www.cwmt.org.uk/
- https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/graduate-school/students/doctoral/professional-development/
- https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/graduate-school/community-support/coaching/
- https://www.imperial.ac.uk/chaplaincy/
- https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/education/science-and-solutions-for-a-changing-planet-dtp/about-us/community-and-culture/wellbeing-resources/

- Departmental Student Wellbeing pages

Most departments will have a Post-Graduate Welfare Advisor. Outside the Institute and Departments, the College provides extensive services for health, counselling, English language support, etc. Details of these are provided here. 

The Student/Staff Committee also have student Welfare Officers (see the student/staff committee members here). Anne Houston is also trained as a Mental Health First Aider.

Apart from support within your respective departments and the SSCP DTP, Imperial College has a number of services that are available to support any student who has experienced drink spiking, bullying, harassment or sexual violence. 

Report and Support something that has happened to you
Sexual violence support
Bullying and Harassment support
Support in halls
ICU Advice Centre

For any details regarding Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at the Grantham, please visit https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/education/science-and-solutions-for-a-changing-planet-dtp/about-us/community-and-culture/. A list of SSCP DTP EDI committee members can be found here.