Formal Attendance Processes
The University wants students to succeed and provides support where attendance or engagement concerns arise.
Most attendance concerns can be resolved through early engagement, communication and support. This section explains what students can expect if attendance or engagement concerns become more serious and require formal intervention.
Attendance processes are intended to help the University understand your circumstances, identify any barriers to engagement and discuss what support or action may be appropriate.
A formal meeting is an opportunity to discuss concerns about your attendance or engagement and to understand any circumstances affecting your studies.
You may be invited to a formal meeting if the University has identified concerns about your attendance, engagement or participation in your course.
Formal meetings are supportive and constructive. They provide an opportunity for you to explain your circumstances, discuss any difficulties you have been experiencing, and consider what support or actions may help you re-engage successfully.
You are expected to attend the formal meeting if invited. If you do not attend, the University may continue the process and make decisions based on the information available.
During the formal meeting, staff will normally discuss:
- your recent attendance and engagement;
- any circumstances affecting your studies;
- support that may be available;
- actions that may help you improve attendance or engagement;
- any next steps that may be required.
Next Steps:
- Read the formal meeting invitation carefully.
- Follow any instructions or deadlines in the invitation.
- Attend the formal meeting as requested.
- Be prepared to explain any circumstances affecting your attendance or engagement.
- Bring any information and evidence you would like the University to consider.
- Follow any actions agreed during the formal meeting.
The University will continue to work with you to understand your circumstances and encourage re-engagement with your studies.
This may include additional communication, further formal meetings, support referrals or consideration of alternative options where appropriate.
If attendance remains very low or there is evidence that you are no longer engaging with your studies, the University may need to consider whether you remain able to continue your course at the present time.
Depending on the circumstances, options such as an interruption of studies, additional support arrangements or withdrawal from the course may be considered.
The University will normally seek to understand your circumstances and discuss available options before making significant decisions.
Next Steps:
- Continue engaging with University communications.
- Attend any formal meetings you are invited to.
- Tell the University about circumstances affecting your attendance or engagement.
- Provide any information or evidence you would like the University to consider.
- Book a 10-minute informal attendance meeting if you are unsure what to do next and want a quick triage conversation.
- Book a 30-minute Student Engagement Coach appointment if your circumstances are complex, ongoing or affecting your ability to continue studying.
If a decision is made to withdraw you from your course, you will receive formal written communication explaining the outcome, the reasons for the decision and any available next steps.
The communication will explain any implications for your registration and any further processes that may apply.
Withdrawal can have academic, financial, funding and, for international students, immigration implications. It is therefore important that you read all communications carefully and seek advice if you do not understand the information provided.
Next Steps:
- Read all correspondence carefully.
- Keep a copy of any communications you receive.
- Seek advice if you do not understand the information provided.
- Review any information provided regarding review, appeal or support options.
- Contact the Student Engagement Team if you need guidance on the next steps available to you.
Optional Support Available:
- Book a 10-minute informal attendance meeting if you would like to update us on your attendance absence.
- Book a 30-minute Student Engagement Coach appointment if your circumstances are affecting your ability to continue your studies.
The University provides formal procedures that allow students to request a review of certain decisions where appropriate.
Whether a review or appeal is available will depend on the nature of the decision and the procedure that applies. Any communication confirming a formal outcome will normally explain whether a review or appeal route is available and how you can access further information.
If an appeal is available, you may have only 10 working days to submit it, so you should act promptly.
Students are encouraged to read all outcome letters carefully and seek advice if they are unsure about the options available to them.
Next Steps:
- Read the information provided in any formal outcome letter.
- Review any guidance relating to review or appeal processes.
- Follow the relevant process where appropriate.
- Seek advice from the Students’ Union if you need support.