If your research organisation has a UKRI training grant, they have agreed to supervise students funded through that grant in line with the statement of expectations for doctoral training.
Your responsibilities as a supervisor
You must support students to complete their doctoral training, including the submission of their thesis or equivalent, within their funded period. Do not encourage students to leave writing-up until after their funding has ended.
Encourage a range of careers
You will need to encourage UKRI-funded students to explore a range of career options once they qualify.
This includes careers across the private, public and third sectors, as well as in universities.
There are a number of ways that you can do this:
- encourage students to consider any options available to them for placements and building networks
- support them in accessing a university careers service
- familiarise yourself with the latest research on possible researcher careers
Support students to take leave
You should ensure that you help students plan appropriate amounts of annual leave. A full-time student should have at least thirty days away from study each year, or more if that is your organisation’s policy.
UKRI provides funding to your university to support students who need extensive time away for medical reasons, family or for other purposes. The studentship can be extended for:
- up to a year for medical or additional leave
- any period of family leave
There are limits to how much leave can be taken at once. Your organisation might supplement our provision with other kinds of leave.
Students should receive an appropriate level of support while on leave and when returning from leave.
Student rights
Your organisation has to comply with consumer law. This means that it has to give certain information to prospective students before they apply. You should not contradict that information.
If your organisation agrees that you will provide a reasonable adjustment for a disabled student, you must provide it. Failure to do so may result in a claim of discrimination. UKRI’s Disabled Students Allowance Framework allows your organisation to get additional funding for many adjustments.
Student employment needs to be separate from their studentship. You cannot ask a student to do work for you in return for their stipend.
Students have a right to make formal complaints. Ask for regular feedback from your students about your practice to ensure that issues are resolved quickly and informally.
Develop your supervisory practice
We expect you to invest time in your own continuous professional development as a supervisor.
UKRI supports a range initiatives to help supervisors develop their practice. Many of these resources are available though the Good Supervisory Practice Framework.
Last updated: 23 March 2026