ABSENCES FOR ANTENATAL APPOINTMENTS
It is highly likely that you will be attending GP or hospital appointments which could conflict with your classes. We would always encourage you to try and ensure these appointments are outside of your class times. We appreciate this is not always possible or appointments may pop up, so we encourage you to email our Attendance Team on QAHE.Attendance@qa.com for each absence you have and include evidence with this where possible such as your appointment card or text.
*Please note that the Attendance email address is a non-responsive email so please do not worry if you do not get a response. Providing you have sent an email they will have received this, and this will be taken into consideration when your attendance is reviewed.
Maternity Leave
All students can request maternity leave when they have given birth. It’s important for you to contact the Safeguarding, Student Life & Wellbeing Team once you have given birth to work out the maternity leave available. We also require that you send across your discharge papers to inform the Attendance Team of your upcoming absence.
Many students decide to take an ‘Interruption of Studies’ during their pregnancy or once they have given birth to spend time with their newborn and adjust to the new lifestyle (click here for more details).
Your maternity leave is determined by how you deliver your baby, whether this is a natural birth or a caesarean birth. If you have a natural birth, then you can request 2 weeks maternity leave which starts from the day after you give birth.
If you have a caesarean birth, we recommend a minimum of 6 weeks leave which again, starts from the day after you give birth. As a caesarean birth is major abdominal surgery, you will need to provide a Fit Note from your GP if you intend to return to on campus classes before the end of the agreed 6-week period. We will unfortunately be unable to allow you onto our campuses without the Fit Note.
During your maternity leave, to make sure that you do not fall behind in your studies, you are able to attend any timetabled online classes if you feel well enough to so, and it is also important to keep engaging with your VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) on a regular basis. It is essential to consider your childcare arrangements for when you return to your studies. Please refer to our section on Childcare.
Paternity Leave
Our students are entitled to paternity leave where you can request two weeks of leave from your studies. You will need to provide evidence to the Safeguarding, Student Life & Wellbeing team of your child’s birth with a birth certificate. We will then inform the Attendance Team of your paternity leave.
Ulster University Students – Student Visa
Although you can request a period of maternity/paternity leave, as you are a sponsored students there may be visa implications for any length of absence or non-engagement. We strongly recommend that you read the attendance policy and speak with the Compliance Team prior to the birth, to understand if there will be any visa complications, as there are no concessions under a student visa for maternity or paternity leave. Email: ulstercompliance@qa.com.
Expressing Milk on Campus
We understand that you may need to express milk while you are on campus. Please do come and speak to the Welfare Team if you require a private space to express milk after your pregnancy and we can arrange a space for you where you feel comfortable. Please note, you will be responsible for making sure that any milk expressed is kept at the appropriate temperature, as we do not have the facilities to store the milk for you.
Common Questions
Question: What if my maternity leave falls in a holiday period?
Answer: Regardless of if your maternity leave is over a holiday period, it does not carry over to when your classes start again.
Question: What if my Maternity Leave is not enough time to recover?
Answer: You need to contact the Welfare Team to discuss your options. You may have to consider taking a break in your studies if you feel you need an extended period away from your studies.
Question: I have assignment deadlines due during my maternity leave?
Answer: Speak to the Safeguarding, Student Life & Wellbeing Team who will be able to support you in applying for an extension or a deferral for your assignments.