University code of practice on attendance (engagement)
Sessions organised as part of a programme of study are a crucial part of enabling you to achieve the maximum benefit from your time at the University.
Such sessions include lectures, group work, laboratory work, tutorials, seminars and practical classes.
- Attendance at designated online and remote sessions is compulsory, irrespective of whether or not a module forms a core, optional or discovery part of a programme of study.
- Schools will have procedures for students to report absence/engagement monitor and make clear the procedures for students to apply for leave of absence in exceptional circumstances.
- Schools will have a clear process for monitoring student engagement and addressing any patterns of non-attendance or low attendance at an early stage. Where non-engagement is a potential problem, a ‘warning system’ will be in place for the student. If the problem continues, the Unsatisfactory Work, Attendance or Progress Procedure will be used.
- Co-curricular activities and paid employment must normally be fitted around formal timetable commitments. Wednesday afternoons, from 1.00pm, will normally be kept free for co-curricular activities. On occasions where a student is involved in a University-supported activity – for example, competing in a national sporting event or representing the University in a sporting event that involves leaving a timetabled session before 1.00pm – they must notify the tutor in advance in order to discuss how the session commitments might be met in another way. It is the responsibility of the student to find out what work has been missed and to complete any tasks set.
- Schools will indicate normal teaching hours, making special arrangements to meet the needs of students undertaking religious observance.
- Schools will make clear the preparation that they expect students to undertake before each timetabled session and whether supporting material is needed for use in class.
- Sessions will start promptly at five minutes past the hour and end promptly at five minutes to the hour, unless otherwise agreed with students for a particular session/module.
- Timetabled sessions will only be cancelled in exceptional and unavoidable circumstances - for example, staff illness - and alternative arrangements made to minimise disruption for students.
- Staff will all be made aware of the School policy on non-attendance/engagement to prevent variability in the treatment of students.
- School policy on attendance and engagement will be considered annually by the Student:Staff committee.
- The Dean of Faculty is responsible for ensuring compliance by schools with this Code of Practice.