Working towards a PhD can often be a solitary journey and that’s why it’s important to prioritise, plan and schedule some breaks to reconnect with your friends and family or even just to explore life outside of your research work.

Because full-time students in Cambridge are expected to devote around 40hrs per week to their course of research, holidays are an essential part of your PhD journey and you will need to manage them effectively. 

Although the exact amount of holidays might differ depending on your department or PhD requirements, every PhD student in Cambridge can expect up to 8 weeks of annual leave. It is important that you plan your holidays early whenever feasible so that you can maximise your time off and make sure it does not get in the way of your work. It is also important to familiarise with the booking system and modalities adopted by your Department. In some instances, short holidays don't need to be booked in advance. Check with your Department and/or supervisor to see what conditions apply to you.  

Importantly, taking a break does not necessarily mean holidays. Even a five-minute pause can go a long way in taking your mind off your work: a change of scene or pace is good for your mental wellbeing.

If you can spare a few hours, the Student Union website offers plenty of information about eventsin Cambridge, offering exciting activities including free yoga and ‘parent and toddler’ coffee mornings.

For all information regarding vacation, please see your Code of Practice and/or the following web pages:

• Your Student Status
• University: Terms of Study

There may be times during your PhD when your ability to complete your work is interrupted for an extended period of time. If this happens, intermitting from your studies is one of the options available to you. There are two types of intermission, depending on the cause: 

• medical intermissions, requiring evidence of a medical condition
• non-medical intermissions, due to other reasons such as maternity/paternity, family emergencies, or work placements. 

Intermissions can be backdated a maximum of 30 days, and there are limits to their maximum length. 

Hardship funds exist to support students facing financial difficulties as a consequence of intermission.

If you are in the UK with a student visa, there will be limits on the length of time that you can intermit and remain in the country; but don't worry! The university can support up to 60 days continued sponsorship for intermitting students, provided that the student can still finish their course of study within their existing visa period, or longer in exceptional circumstances.