When you’re pregnant, or about to become a parent, there’s a lot to think about. How you’ll manage your studies shouldn’t be something you worry about.
We firmly believe parental responsibilities shouldn’t affect your academic successes, and we’re committed to helping you thrive.
Here’s what you need to know so you can get the most appropriate support from us during this time. We’ve broken it down into who you need to tell, and what support you can expect. There’s also a section on particular questions you might have in particular circumstances.
Our support is for all students, whether you’re on an undergraduate degree, a postgraduate course or an apprenticeship. If you’re still an applicant, you should contact your Admissions Tutor (admissions@port.ac.uk), and work out what best suits your individual circumstances. Whatever your choices and perspectives on pregnancy, childbirth and caring for children, we’ll work to be supportive of you.
Who you need to tell
Who you'll need to tell depends on how you're studying with us.
To get the support you need from us, you’ll need to tell us that you’re becoming a parent. You can choose the member of staff that you feel most comfortable with; typically we’d suggest your personal tutor, but it’s your choice who to speak with.
Whatever you tell us will be handled confidentially and sensitively, in line with data protection legislation. That means we don’t share anything without your consent, unless there’s a reason such as concerns for your health or wellbeing.
You’ll need to tell your employer, as well as us, about your pregnancy. Typically, this means speaking with your Work Based Tutor, who is best placed to make sure your maternity leave and break in learning run smoothly.
Your employer will be involved in your support requirements too.
You’re not obliged to tell either your employer or the university about a pregnancy. We’d recommend that you do, though, as it’s relevant to the risk assessments relevant to your placement. Usually there’s no reason why a pregnancy would stop you doing your placement.
You’re not obliged to tell your study abroad provider about a pregnancy. You may, however, need to check that your travel insurance covers you, and that you’re aware of airline restrictions regarding travel while pregnant.
If you’re a funded research student, you’ll need to let your funder know about your plans.
If UKRI is your funding body, it's likely that you can expect funding that matches what is legally available at the time for maternity, paternity or adoption leave. For further information, please see the UKRI funding pages here: Terms and conditions for training funding – UKRI.
Other funders may have similar provisions; you will need to find their terms and conditions to know where you stand.
How we can support you
Advice
We’ll go into detail below about the advice we can offer on study options, finances, accommodation and returning safely to your studies.
Beyond these, all the services that are available to Portsmouth students are still open to you - visit our Guidance and Support pages to see the full range on offer.
You may also want to visit our chaplains, who can offer a safe, non-judgmental space to talk about any concerns you may have.
Tailoring your study arrangements
If you are pregnant, one of the first things we’ll talk about with you is how this might affect your studies. We’ll work out reasonable adjustments to your course together with you, and review them regularly. You can find out more about what these adjustments might be by contacting our Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre (ASDAC).
Depending on when your baby is due, we might need to arrange a Study Break, where you pause your studies for a planned period. Read more about taking a Study Break
You won’t be able to take part in fieldwork after reaching 35 weeks of pregnancy. If your course involves fieldwork, we’ll work out how to make sure this happens either before the 35th week, or after your baby is born.
Research students
If you’re a research student funded by UKRI, you’ll be able to break your studies, and adjust the end date of your studentship.
Extenuating circumstances
If you are facing difficulties in completing or submitting an assessment as a result of becoming a parent, you may be able to apply for extenuating circumstances, which mean we can make necessary adjustments.
Generally, pregnancy or becoming a parent aren’t considered as extenuating circumstances, unless these are leading to issues with your health or wellbeing. You might qualify for extenuating circumstances if, for example, you’re facing complications related to pregnancy, or if your baby is due around an assessment period.
Read more about extenuating circumstances.
Financial consideration
Our student finance team is ready to help you understand your financial situation, and access any support available to you.
You should be aware that student / research funding may cease if you take a study break, depending on your funding arrangements. We strongly recommend you seek further advice from Student Finance, and - if you're on a research programme - from the Research Graduate School.
If you're receiving funding from an external body, make sure you follow the guidance provided for their specific scheme and contact their funding body or sponsor for specific advice.
The University operates a student hardship fund, designed to support students who are struggling to meet day to day costs due to unforeseen circumstances and includes student parents. For more information, contact our Student Finance Centre at:
studentfinance@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 3014
Research students
If you’re a research student, funded by UKRI, you’ll be able to use their parental support. Read UKRI funding documents here. Generally, you have access to maternity, paternity and adoption leave under their terms, which are similar to statutory amounts.
Accommodation support
If you are pregnant while living in university accommodation, you might find your current living arrangements are no longer suitable for health and safety reasons. If this is true for you, seek advice and support from our Residence Life Team.
If you are in a privately-run hall of residence, you should reach out to the owners' residence management office for guidance and support in addressing your accommodation needs during your pregnancy.
If you need more information and support you can contact our Student Housing services:
reslife@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 3214
Health and safety measures
Once you’ve alerted us to your pregnancy, we’ll update our risk assessments without delay to reflect it. This is particularly important in schools where you may face strenuous activity, radioactivity or hazardous chemicals, but whatever your subject, we’ll do all we can to identify and minimise risks to you and your baby.
We’ll also work on a bespoke Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) for you, through our Corporate Health and Safety department.
Coming back to university
Prior to starting your maternity leave, you should discuss the date that you intend to return with your personal tutor or supervisor. This date may change during your maternity leave, so it's good to keep in touch with us.
You'll work with your personal tutor or supervisor to plan an appropriate timetable for reintegrating into your course, ensuring that you have a smooth transition back into academic study and University life.
Extra information for international students
We understand that being an international student means you might have extra questions about pregnancy.
All the support in this guide is available to you, as well as to UK students, whether it is you or a dependant who is pregnant. You should also speak to the International Student Advice team before making any decisions about interrupting your studies, as you may face visa implications if you stop studying.
We also have advice available on our Visa Advice web page here: Visa advice | Student Services - University of Portsmouth
Extra information about adoption, surrogacy and IVF
Adoption / Surrogacy
If you are expecting to become a parent through adoption or surrogacy, you should notify your school of your circumstances as soon as possible. You're entitled to take up to 52 weeks of adoption or surrogacy leave, provided you meet specific criteria. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to statutory adoption pay, and payment from an employer if employed, or funding from a sponsor.
If you're expecting as part of a student couple, only one of you is eligible for this leave – but the other member may be entitled to take parental or paternity leave.
To be eligible for leave, you'll need to meet at least one of these criteria:
- being newly matched with a child by a UK adoption agency
- receiving official notification of eligibility to adopt a child from abroad
- having a ‘parental order’ as part of surrogacy arrangements
In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
If you, or your partner, are undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment, you should talk to your personal tutor or supervisor about how your studies may be affected by medical appointments and related absences on your studies. You may require additional support during this time.
We'd also recommend that you consult with your medical practitioner to determine whether a health and safety assessment is necessary. If the IVF treatment affects your ability to engage with your studies, including submitting assessments and exams, you may wish to apply for Extenuating Circumstances.
Terminating a pregnancy
You're not obliged to inform the University of a decision to terminate a pregnancy. However, doing so can be helpful if you require time off from your studies to allow for a period of recovery.
If you are a partner of the individual undergoing a termination you may also wish to seek support. If needed, the Extenuating Circumstances procedure may be used in a confidential manner. If you need support at this time relating to pregnancy termination please contact our Student Wellbeing Service.
Alternatively, you may wish to contact a local charity, one of which is Pregnancy Options Centre https://pregnancyoptionscentre.org.uk/
Unplanned events and bereavement
Unplanned events
Pregnancy, becoming a parent and going through the adoption process can sometimes be affected by unplanned events such as miscarriage, still birth, neonatal death, ectopic pregnancy, changes to the adoption process or your ability to engage with it.
If you are impacted by an unplanned event, it may be that you need to take some time away from your studies, access support, or wish to understand any flexibility that can be offered with your studies. The university is here to support you and help you understand your options, you can find more information on our Guidance and Support web pages.
Child bereavement
If you are bereaved when you join us, or you experience bereavement during your time with us, we are here to support you. Grief can feel lonely and isolating, particularly if you don’t have access to your usual support network of family and friends from home; this can make your study feel overwhelming.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, and you're able to, make contact with your personal tutor or our welfare team, as they will be able to discuss ways we can support you.
We have a range of support services available to help at this very difficult time, including a Bereavement Support Group. You can find out more about this group, and wider support, through our Student Wellbeing Service and Chaplaincy.
There are also various charities that specialise in baby and child loss. These organisations offer a range of services to meet the different needs of bereaved parents, here are just some:
- The Miscarriage Association: https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/
- Sands: https://www.sands.org.uk/
- Child Bereavement UK: https://www.childbereavementuk.org/when-youre-bereaved-at-university-college
- Lullaby Trust: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/
More wellbeing help
Take a look at our other resources and sources of support for help with everything - from issues with alcohol, to healing from trauma.
Contact the Student Wellbeing Service
Access mental health support and guidance from our friendly team of wellbeing advisers, counsellors and advisers:
Or you can contact us via:
- +44 (0)23 9284 3466
- The Bateson Centre, The Mary Rose St, Portsmouth, PO1 2BL
- wellbeing-admin@port.ac.uk
You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook.
Worried about a student? Whether you're a friend, member of University staff, family member or medical professional you can raise a concern so our service can help.