Study leave

Paid study leave may be available for third level courses and examinations if the costs can be met by your line manager within their approved budget. Standard leave arrangements apply.

Study leave may be considered for courses that include:

• Bachelor
• Master
• Diploma
• Other third level courses relevant to your area of work, as approved by your line manager

Study leave application form - HR 108(p)

Number of study leave days

If you are doing a primary degree course in your own time, you may be given up to ten days study leave with pay. This applies over the full duration of the course. You should be given as much freedom as possible in spreading the leave over the course examinations. This is subject to the condition that a maximum of five days’ study leave with pay will apply to any academic year. This arrangement applies to third level courses lasting for three years or longer.

For shorter third level courses, three days study leave with pay is allowed for each year of the course. Repeat years are excluded.

Part-time working

If you work part time, your study leave is calculated on a pro-rata basis. A minimum entitlement of one day’s study leave per course applies.

Attending your course

Your attendance at the course should be agreed between you and your line manager before you start the course, taking service needs into account.

NCHD educational leave

As an NCHD, subject to consideration of your medical education and training status, you may be granted up to a maximum of 18 working days educational leave per 6-month period.

This is to facilitate:

• attending courses, conferences, and educational events determined to be appropriate by the HSE, the recognised postgraduate training bodies and the universities
• study leave before an examination or repeat examination for higher degrees or diplomas determined to be appropriate by the HSE, the recognised postgraduate training bodies and the universities
• attending examinations determined to be appropriate by the HSE, the recognised postgraduate training bodies and the universities
• attending interviews within the Irish public health service appropriate to your training and career pathway

All educational leave must:

• be relevant
• take account of service and rota needs
• be recommended by the supervising consultant or clinical director
• be approved in advance, in line with the leave policy
• meets the requirements of specialist training/professional competence, including related medical education and training requirements, you as an NCHD are participating in

NCHD educational leave is granted as:

• A calendar week of study leave the week before your gateway exam/mandatory course, or failing this, leave is given within two weeks before your exam. In exceptional circumstances, where multiple NCHDs are undertaking the same exam, study leave is granted within one of the 3 weeks before your exam. This study leave accounts for 5 days of your study leave entitlement.
• 1 study leave day for the day of your gateway exam/mandatory course. Where required, the preceding day is given as study leave to facilitate travel to an in-person exam/course. You must book this leave at least 6 weeks in advance, to guarantee the leave.
• 10 study leave days per 6 months guaranteed, while remaining entitled to up to 18 study days. Study leave is allocated first to NCHDs sitting gateway exams/mandatory courses. You must book this leave at least 6 weeks in advance, to guarantee the leave.
• 1 study leave day to use for mandatory courses relevant to training scheme completion, and to maintain clinical practice (for example ACLS). You should take the leave at a time suitable for rostering. Upload details to national employment record. Mandatory training is to be completed within 2 months of July changeover.

Related content

Study leave application form - HR 108(p)

Terms and conditions of employment