9. Student attendance and engagement

Attendance requirement

9.1.    As set out in the Student Agreement, students are expected to:

• attend all educational activities (for example, lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes) as defined in their programme
• ensure that their attendance is recorded using the method specified by the University (for example the student check-in app)
• and take an active part in their programme of study.

If a programme has specific additional attendance requirements due to:

• professional and statutory regulatory body requirements 
• other statutory or contractual requirements,

these are detailed in specific programme regulations and/or programme specifications.

9.2.    Student attendance and engagement is monitored for academic, pastoral, quality assurance, professional, and statutory (including student visas) purposes.

Students with unsatisfactory or non-attendance and engagement may be required to repeat, suspend or withdraw from their programme. 

9.3.    If a unit requires attendance at specific teaching event/s for the award of credit or to pass the unit, this must be stated in the unit specification.

Notification of student absence

9.4.    Students must follow the process set out in section 19 to notify their school of any absence from teaching and/or assessment.

Monitoring of student engagement

9.5.    Based on an institutional procedure, faculties and schools have processes in place to:

• confirm that all students are engaging satisfactorily with their programme of study
• identify those at risk of failing to progress
• identify those at risk of breaching their visa compliance requirements.

Unsatisfactory student engagement

9.6.    If a student stops attending and engaging with their studies to a satisfactory level, the student is contacted to understand the reasons for absence and where possible, support is offered.

9.7.    If a student’s attendance and engagement continues to be unsatisfactory or not meet the programme or regulatory requirements: they may be withdrawn from their programme or suspended for the remainder of that academic year.

9.8.    Unsatisfactory (i.e. low) attendance and engagement is defined as the failure of a student to sufficiently participate in their programme as set out below:

• poor attendance of learning and teaching sessions
• missed assessments. 

9.9.    Non-attendance and engagement is defined as the failure of a student to participate in their programme. This includes, but is not limited to:

• zero recorded attendance at learning and teaching sessions for a sustained period of time
• failure to submit any assessments.

9.10.    Unsatisfactory or non-attendance and engagement is reported to the relevant exam board. The exam board can require the student to:

• repeat part of the programme
• retake assessment or
• withdraw from the programme. 

A student who is required to withdraw is informed of:

• the exam board decision
• the University procedures for appealing the decision. 

Student visa holder engagement requirements

9.11.    Students on degree level programmes (at level 6 and 7) studying on a student visa in the UK must meet UKVI and University requirements on attendance and engagement. Students must not be absent from expected in-person education activities (see 9.1) during term time for more than 60 days. If this happens, the University will:

a)    report this to the UKVI/Home Office

b)    withdraw visa sponsorship 

c)    require the student to withdraw or, if appropriate, suspend, from their programme of study.

9.12.    If a degree level student does not have any in-person attendance requirements within a 60-day period of term time during the duration of the Student Visa sponsorship, the University will review whether visa sponsorship can continue. In most cases, this is due to students undertaking reassessment and/or supplementary years where there is not continuously required attendance for the academic year. 

9.13.    Where the required attendance level does not meet the visa requirements, sponsorship must be withdrawn, cancelling the students’ visa. Students must then obtain a new Student visa from outside the UK to return to in-person study. 

Preparatory programmes at level 3

9.14.    Students on Foundation-type and/or Pre Sessional English programmes studying at level 3 on a student visa are expected to attend at least 85% of their in-person education activities (minimum of 15 hours per week delivered between 08:00 am and 18:00 PM Monday to Friday). 

9.15.    Where attendance is below 85% in a month for students on below degree level programme, the University contacts the student to record the reason for non-attendance and support them to return to an attendance level above 85%. 

9.16.    Where a student on a below degree level course is below 70% in their attendance for three consecutive months, the University is required to terminate the student registration with the University and report this to the UKVI by withdraw sponsorship of their Student Visa. 

Returning to study at the University

9.17.    The University may refuse future student visa sponsorship if there is a history of non or unsatisfactory attendance.