Attendance and residence

Exemption from attendance requirements

In some cases, students can be granted exemption from University attendance and residence requirements. Chairs of Boards of Studies can approve exemptions from residence requirements without reference to Special Cases. Special Cases approval is required for requests for exemptions from attendance requirements beyond four weeks.

Residence requirements

Full-time students are normally required to live within 40 miles of their ordinary place of study, part-time students within 60 miles. The Chair of the Board of Studies in the Student’s academic department can give permission for this limit to be extended. 

Where fieldwork or practice placements constitute part of a programme of study, these locations may be regarded as an alternative place of study. 

It is expected that students will attend all timetabled teaching and supervision meetings associated with the programme of study. Students are responsible for seeking approval for absences at other times from their supervisor or, in the supervisor’s absence, the Chair of the Board of Studies concerned.

“Designated periods of study” will usually equate to University semesters. Exceptions to this will be recorded as programme requirements in departmental documentation.

Exceptions

• Distance learning programme: students on distance learning programmes are expected to demonstrate attendance through participation in all designated academic engagements.

Attendance requirements

University regulations state that undergraduate students should be present at any time at which teaching or other academic engagements have been arranged for their programme (including Saturdays, reading and assessment weeks). This also includes teaching which is not compulsory.

Special cases approval criteria

An absence of no longer than four weeks can be approved by the Chair of the Board of Studies in the student’s academic department. Any longer absence during a semester which will be counted towards completion of a student’s degree requires the approval of Special Cases.

• For further information please see the Special Cases Progress Case Policy.