Attendance and Engagement

How to report an absence

If you are not able to attend a tutorial or seminar, it is essential that you report the reasons for your absence so that this can be recorded in relation to your attendance record. Failure to report absences could result in action being taken in line with the attendance and engagement monitoring policy (see below).

Absences should be reported via the Absence Reporting Form which can be accessed via the Learn Undergraduate Communities Site. You must specify the details of the class(es) that you will be missing and provide an explanation for your absence.

Attendance and Engagement Monitoring in the School of Law

Edinburgh Law School, and the University as a whole, understands the investment that you make, both in time and money, in choosing to take a programme of study here.

You are an autonomous learner and we want you to take ownership of your learning and development and actively participate in your studies. We as a School have a responsibility to ensure that you receive appropriate support and enable you to succeed.

What does engagement and attendance mean?

The University defines attendance as the confirmation of the attendance element of matriculation for all students and examination attendance where applicable. Students studying in the UK with a Tier 4 visa are also required to attend census points which are spread over the academic year. Attendance is monitored centrally by Student Administration.

Engagement monitoring is undertaken by Schools and includes the monitoring of teaching events, submission of summative assessment, accessing and engaging with online and virtual learning content, and engagement with formal scheduled meetings with key members of staff (e.g. Personal Tutors, Programme Directors and Supervisors).

What are you expected to engage with?

You are expected to:

  • Attend and engage with all scheduled teaching sessions.
  • Prepare for and participate in classes or carrying out your own research.
  • Using the School’s Virtual Learning Environment (Learn) and wider resources within and outside of the University to support your studies.
  • Complete the required assessment and examinations within your programme of study.
  • Participate in meetings with your Personal Tutor, Supervisors, Course Organisers and Tutors as applicable.
  • Take the initiative in seeking timely support when necessary from the School, or from the wider University.
  • Keep in touch with the School and respond to formal communications if you are studying away (e.g. if you are abroad or on a placement).

Students with a Student (previously Tier 4) visa

If you are studying in the UK with a Student visa you will be aware that the University has an additional legal duty to monitor your engagement and to report on this to the UK Visa and Immigration Authority. It is your responsibility to comply with the conditions of your visa and ensure that you attend and engage with your programme. Find out more about your rights, responsibilities and restrictions as a student with a Tier 4 visa.

How will the Law School monitor your engagement?

We will record the engagement of all students with small group teaching events (e.g. tutorials, seminars and workshops) and scheduled meetings with key members of staff. We do not take attendance records at lectures, however you are expected to attend lectures (where applicable) as they form a core part of the learning experience.

We will also record engagement with summative assessment, including submission of coursework and engagement with supervisory meetings.

What happens if there are concerns about your attendance and engagement?

If we have concerns about your engagement, we will address this with you. The School will contact you via your University email account, in line with the University’s Policy on use of email as a method of contacting students. You must access and manage your University email account regularly, as it will be assumed that you have opened and acted on communications. Failure to do so will not be considered an acceptable excuse for action or inaction, or as a ground for appeal. View the Policy on Use of Email here.

There are four stages of escalation that we will use. If, following the first stage contact, there is no immediate improvement or you do not provide a satisfactory explanation, the School may escalate this to the next stage (and so on).

First stage contact

You will be made aware of the School’s concerns via email and asked to explain your lack of engagement. Your Personal Tutor or Programme Director will be copied in, and you will be given a deadline of 7 calendar days to respond. If you do not reply, then the matter will be escalated to the second stage of contact.

Second stage contact

You will receive a formal written warning via email and will be required to attend a meeting with the Student Support Office to discuss any issues affecting your engagement.

Third stage contact

You will be required to attend a mandatory meeting with the Senior Tutor or Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss your engagement.

Final stage contact

The School will refer the case to the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, who will consider your overall progression in relation to academic policies, including the Procedure for Withdrawal and Exclusion from Studies.