Attendance code of practice (taught students)

Students are expected to attend all timetabled sessions. The University is clear about its expectations of students and in the information that schools provide to students to enable them to attend regularly.

University code of practice

The sessions organised as part of a programme of study - lectures, group work, laboratory work, tutorials, seminars and practical classes - are a crucial part of enabling students to achieve the maximum benefit from their time at the University.

  1. Attendance at designated online and remote sessions is compulsory irrespective of whether or not a module forms a core, optional or elective part of a programme of study.
  2. Schools will have procedures for students to report absence / monitor engagement and make clear the procedures for students to apply for leave of absence in exceptional circumstances.
  3. 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-attendance is a potential problem a "warning system" will be in place for the student. If the problem continues the Unsatisfactory Work, Attendance and Engagement Procedure will be used.
  4. Co-curricular activities and paid employment must normally be fitted around formal timetable commitments. Wednesday afternoons, that is from 1.00pm, will normally be kept free for co-curricular activities. On occasions where a student is involved in a University supported activity, eg competing in a national sporting event or representing the University in a sporting event, which 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.
  5. Schools will indicate normal teaching hours making special arrangements to meet the needs of students undertaking religious observance.
  6. Schools will make clear the preparation students are expected to undertake before each timetabled session and whether supporting material is needed for use in class.
  7. 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. 
  8. Timetabled sessions will only be cancelled in exceptional and unavoidable circumstances, eg staff illness, and alternative arrangements made to minimise disruption for students. 
  9. Staff will all be made aware of the school policy on non-engagement to prevent variability in the treatment of students.
  10. The school policy on engagement will be considered annually by the Student:Staff committee.
  11. The Dean of Faculty is responsible for ensuring compliance by schools with this code of practice.