Registry

The University has a Student Absence Policy which applies to all undergraduate and taught postgraduate students.

The policy covers attendance requirements and procedures for reporting absences, whether they are for personal reasons or sickness.

Summary of Student Absence Policy:

The Student Absence Policy applies to all undergraduate and taught postgraduate students.

It defines a significant absence as:

1. an absence of more than five consecutive working days[1] during working periods;
2. an absence of any duration if it prevents a student from:

a.attending an in-person examination, submitting an online examination within the scheduled examination time, submitting assessment by the submission deadline, or otherwise satisfying the requirements of assessment for their programme of studies; or

b. fulfilling any other published minimum requirements for the award of credit (e.g. compulsory attendance at a tutorial or laboratory class).

2. Students must complete a MyCampus Absence Report for any significant absence. They are recommended to complete an Absence Report for any absence for which they would like the University to take account.

3. Students should report all potentially significant absences as soon as is practical in Part 1 of the MyCampus Absence Report. They should complete Part 2 on return to University.

4. The normal submission deadline for the completed Absence Report is five working days after return to University. Schools will not necessarily take account of absences reported after this deadline.

5. If at all possible, absences that will result in non-attendance at examinations should be notified before the examination by contacting the relevant School and followed up by completion of Part 1 of the MyCampus Absence Report. In these cases, the student should also submit an Extenuating Circumstances claim pertaining to the missed assessment.

6. The Absence Policy includes a statement of how the University will use completed Absence Reports.

View the full Student Absence Policy.

Approved suspension of studies/Leave of absence

Approved suspensions of studies/Leave of absence for postgraduate research students must be recorded in MyCampus by the Graduate School in the relevant Colleges. 

Please send enquires and applications for approved suspension of studies/Leave of absence to the relevant Graduate School.

Student visa holders

In the case of students who require a student visa to study in the UK the University also has a statutory responsibility to inform the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) of changes that affect the duration of programme or material change to their student status, such as approved suspension or interruption of studies.

Staff should advise student-visa holders who are considering suspending their studies to consult the International Student Support Team prior to suspending their studies, as a period of suspension or interruption will be likely to have implications for their ability to legally remain in the UK.