Need Help to Attend?

Many students experience circumstances that affect attendance or engagement during their studies. 

These circumstances may include illness, disability, wellbeing concerns, caring responsibilities, financial difficulties, academic challenges or personal issues. 

You do not need to wait until attendance becomes a concern before seeking support. Early support often helps prevent small difficulties from becoming more significant problems.

If you are finding it difficult to attend teaching sessions or engage with your studies, it is better to seek help early. You do not need to wait until attendance becomes a formal concern, or until you receive an attendance email, before speaking to someone. 

A short informal attendance meeting is a good first step if you are unsure what to do, want to explain your situation, or need help working out the right next step. The meeting is intended as a quick triage conversation, not a formal process. 

Many attendance difficulties are linked to illness, disability, wellbeing concerns, caring responsibilities, financial pressures, academic concerns or personal circumstances. The earlier you make contact, the easier it is to identify the right support and prevent attendance concerns from escalating. 

Next Steps: 

  • If you have missed teaching, report the absence using the guidance in Section D. 
  • Continue engaging with your studies through Brightspace, lecture recordings and University emails where you are able to do so. 
  • Contact your tutor or course team if your absence may affect coursework, assessments, exams or deadlines. 
  • Use specialist support directly if you know the issue relates to wellbeing, disability, finance or academic progress. 
  • Book a short informal attendance meeting if you are unsure what to do, want to explain your situation, or need help deciding the right next step. 
  • Book a longer Student Engagement Coach appointment if your circumstances are ongoing, complex or affecting your ability to continue studying. 

Optional Support Available: 

The Student Engagement Team can help if attendance, engagement or participation in your studies is being affected by personal, academic or practical difficulties. 

The team can help you understand your attendance position, talk through what is affecting your engagement, and identify the most appropriate next step. This may include advice about attendance expectations, absence reporting, academic engagement, support options or referral to another University service. 

You do not need to know exactly what support you need before making contact. A short informal attendance meeting can be a useful first step if you are unsure what to do. 

The Student Engagement Team may not always be the team that resolves the issue directly. For example, they may advise you to contact your tutor, course team, the International Office, Student Finance, Wellbeing, Disability Services or another specialist service. 

Next Steps: 

  • Contact your tutor or course team if the issue is mainly about coursework, assessments, exams, deadlines or academic progress. 
  • Contact the relevant specialist service directly if you know the issue relates to wellbeing, disability, finances, visa matters or another specific area. 
  • Continue engaging with your studies while support options are being explored.