Why does attendance matter?

You are expected to engage fully with your programme of study. This includes attending timetabled sessions and taking part in the learning, assessment and other activities required by your course. 

Attendance is one part of engagement. Engagement also includes participating in learning activities, completing assessment requirements, using course materials, responding to academic support and taking responsibility for your learning. 

Attendance and engagement are important to your success. Courses are designed so that knowledge and skills are developed over time through regular attendance, interaction with tutors and other students, and active participation in learning activities. Regular attendance also supports the development of good study habits and professional behaviours that will help prepare you for employment, further study and professional practice. 

University data consistently shows that students who attend and engage achieve better academic outcomes, are more likely to complete their course and develop a stronger sense of belonging. Students who do not attend or engage are at greater risk of academic difficulty and withdrawal. 

We monitor attendance and engagement so that we can: 

If something is affecting your ability to attend or engage, you should tell us as early as possible so that we can explain your options and signpost support. 

Attendance and engagement monitoring is therefore intended to support student success, encourage early engagement with help where needed, and ensure that the University meets its responsibilities to students, regulators, funding bodies and external authorities.

Attendance and engagement monitoring means using information about your attendance and participation to understand whether you are engaging with your studies. 

This may include attendance records, participation in required learning activities, use of course materials, assessment activity and responses to academic support. 

The purpose is to identify concerns early, offer support where needed and confirm that students remain actively engaged with their programme. 

Next Steps:

  • Attend required teaching, learning and course activities. 
  • Record attendance by swiping your University ID card at the card reader for each timetabled teaching session before the start of the class. 
  • Tell the University early if something is affecting your ability to attend or engage. 

Recording your attendance confirms that you were present at a required session and helps keep your attendance record accurate. 

Accurate attendance information helps the University identify when support may be needed and confirm that you are engaging with your programme. 

Attendance information may also be needed for funding, visa compliance or professional and regulatory requirements where these apply. 

Next Steps: 

  • Always have your student ID card when on campus. 
  • Record attendance by swiping your student ID card at all campus timetabled sessions. 
  • Check your attendance record regularly on MyHud. 

Attendance is recorded by swiping your student card on the card reader near the door of your classroom at the start of each required teaching session. You will receive a positive attendance mark when you swipe in between 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after your session starts. If you are running late, please record your attendance; it will confirm that you attended but record a late mark. 

Next Steps: 

  • Swipe your student card to record your attendance. 
  • Check your attendance record regularly on MyHud. 

Students must attend all required teaching, learning and course-related activities. 

Regular attendance helps you keep up with your studies, participate in learning activities and access support and guidance when you need it.  

Next Steps: 

  • Attend all required teaching, learning and course activities. 
  • If you cannot attend, follow the absence reporting guidance in Section D. 
  • If circumstances are affecting your ability to attend regularly, review Section E for support options. 

Yes. All campus timetabled sessions must be attended, and you must swipe your student ID card to register your attendance. If your lessons are back-to-back in the same room, you must re-swipe your card for each session. 

Next Steps: 

  • Record attendance by swiping your student ID card at all required campus timetabled sessions. 
  • Re-swipe your card if you stay in the same room for more than one timetabled session. 
  • If you cannot attend a session, follow the absence reporting guidance in Section D. 

No. Providing false information or falsely recording attendance, for example swiping another student’s ID card or asking another student to swipe on your behalf, is considered fraudulent and may result in disciplinary action under the Student Disciplinary Regulations (Section 12). 

Remember:  

  • It is your responsibility to record your attendance; no one else is permitted to swipe your card. 
  • You should only have one student card, and you are expected to carry this on campus at all times. 
  • Staff may ask you to present it at any time to verify your identity.   
  • Giving your card to somebody else or having another student’s card in your possession may be investigated under the Student Disciplinary Regulations. 

Next Steps: 

  • Always swipe into campus timetabled sessions by using your own student ID card. 
  • Never record attendance for another student. This is fraudulent behaviour. 
  • Keep your student card secure at all times. 

You should still attend your teaching session and continue engaging with your studies. If you have forgotten your card, your attendance may not be recorded for that session and your attendance record cannot normally be changed afterwards. If your card is lost, arrange a replacement as soon as possible through iPoint or the online store. 

Next Steps: 

  • Continue attending your timetabled sessions even if you cannot record attendance for that session. 
  • Use your student ID card to record attendance again as soon as you have it with you. 
  • If your card is lost, arrange a replacement through iPoint or the online store. 
  • If you find your old card after receiving a replacement, destroy the old card. 
  • If you inform us by emailing contactattendance@hud.ac.uk we can put a note on your attendance record. However, we cannot adjust your attendance mark.

No. Individual attendance records cannot be changed after a session. 

Records will only be reviewed where there is evidence of a card reader fault. If you believe a reader was not working, report the issue using the QR code displayed next to the reader. 

Next Steps: 

  • Check MyHud after the attendance record has had time to update. 
  • If there was a card reader fault, report it using the QR code next to the reader. 
  • Do not email to request a manual attendance change. 

Yes. You are expected to attend and participate fully in the teaching activity. 

Attendance recording is intended to confirm genuine participation in learning activity. Recording attendance and then leaving immediately is not acceptable. 

If exceptional circumstances require you to leave early, you should inform the member of staff leading the session. 

Next Steps: 

  • Participate fully in teaching sessions. 
  • If you need to leave early, tell the tutor where possible. 
  • If the reason is personal or sensitive, use email or direct Teams messages rather than sharing it in class. Digital communications should be sent within a few minutes of leaving the session