Chapter 5: Academic Issues
Placements
Information regarding how to report an absence will be in the Course Handbook. However, usually, you will have to inform your personal tutor, course director or School office. If you are absent for more than a week, you may have to obtain a sick note.
Some courses have mandatory placements that you must attend to pass the unit. You should check before you start University if your course has such placements, as these are common on nursing, social work or dentistry courses. If you are required to attend placements, it’s important that you have adequate childcare arrangements.
Mitigating Circumstances Mitigating circumstances is a procedure that you can follow to inform your School if you experience circumstances beyond your control that have an adverse impact on your academic performance. You can submit mitigating circumstances if you experience things such as physical or mental health difficulties or a bereavement.
You may find it difficult fitting placements around childcare responsibilities. Therefore, it’s important that you make your School aware of your circumstances. You could speak to your personal tutor or course director about your commitments and ask that any placement you are sent on is suitable for you. For example, you could ask that the placement is accessible by being close to where you live or your child’s nursery or school. Additionally, some courses include a ‘Year in Industry’, as an option, so speak to your personal tutor and the employer about arrangements which could be made to support you whilst being a student parent.
In your application for mitigating circumstances, you’re expected to write a statement explaining what has happened, how this affected you and how this impacted on your studies. However, you will need evidence from a third party, such as a doctor or counsellor, to confirm your mitigating circumstances application. The Students’ Union Advice Service can assist you in checking your statement.
You should read your Student Handbook so that you are familiar with the absence procedure when on placement. It’s important that you are aware of who you have to contact and when, plus what evidence you will need to provide. Illness If you or your child is ill and you are unable to attend University, it is important that you let your School know as soon as possible. As mentioned earlier in the booklet, the University has a minimum attendance policy. If you miss too many lectures without explanation, then you could be withdrawn from the course.
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