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Human Resources

Faculty sabbatical leave

A sabbatical leave provides an extended time for faculty (teaching and non-teaching) to engage in a program of research or other appropriate scholarly activity, upgrade their professional skills, acquire new competencies or credentials, or undertake approved teaching and learning activities such as course or curriculum development.

As a permanent faculty (type B), whether full-time or part-time, you are eligible to apply for a sabbatical leave after seven years of continuous service. The application submission deadline is November 15.

Visit the sabbatical leaves information page on the Research, Engagement and Graduate Studies website to learn how to prepare and submit an application.

Frequently asked questions

The duration of a sabbatical leave is one academic year (12 months), and the leave commences on either September 1 or January 1.

Split sabbatical periods and one-semester sabbaticals are not eligible.


Sabbatical leaves are paid at 90% salary for 12 months. Faculty may choose to top up their salary during the 12 month period by using their banked sections.


Faculty are not eligible to teach overload sections during the sabbatical leave period. Furthermore, sabbatical leave periods cannot overlap with other releases (e.g., research option/scholarly activity).


If you are a department head and have become eligible for a sabbatical, you may have your eligibility for a subsequent sabbatical reduced by a maximum of three years under the following conditions:

  • A ‌sabbatical deferral form must be submitted to and approved by the dean and must include the date on which the sabbatical will be taken. 
  • Deferred sabbatical must be taken within two academic years of you stepping down as head.
  • If you do not take the deferred sabbatical within the two year period, you will lose eligibility for the reduction in the qualifying period for a next sabbatical.
  • Your sabbatical must be applied for and approved through the regular application process at the time it will be taken. 


If there are multiple faculty members within your department who are eligible for a sabbatical within the same year, the departmental plan shall be reviewed by the dean to determine the appropriate sabbatical allocation.


If you are unable to take your sabbatical at the time that you qualify, you may have your eligibility for a subsequent sabbatical reduced by a maximum of one academic year under the following conditions:

  • A ‌sabbatical deferral form must be submitted to and approved by the department head and dean. However, in the case of department heads, a deferral request must be submitted with a sabbatical application and will be registered on approval of the sabbatical plan.
  • Sabbatical must be taken within one academic year from original deferral.
  • If you do not take the deferred sabbatical within the one year period, you will lose eligibility for the reduction in the qualifying period for a next sabbatical. 
  • The sabbatical must be applied for and approved through the regular application process before a deferral may be granted. 


Employees granted sabbatical leave must continue to work at the university for twice the leave period or will be subject to repayment of the sabbatical leave money.



For questions regarding sabbatical leaves, contact Garry Fehr by email or by phone at 604-557-4074.

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