Procedures Relating to Student Absence and Medical Certification

Procedures Relating to Student Absence and Medical Certification

Absence from Prescribed Instruction

1.

1. If you are absent from teaching for more than one week, you should inform your Head of Department (or if appropriate the Area Director or Joint Scheme Director) in writing of the reason for your absence. A notification of absence form can be used for this purpose and may be the easiest method of communication. Forms are downloaded from: www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/ug/absence.rtf You will be responsible for sending copies to the relevant members of staff. If you wish to ensure that your absence is noted on your central record, you must send a copy to the Registry within one week of the end of the period of absence.
    

2. If you are absent for more than two weeks, or you are absent frequently for short periods of time, you must also provide medical evidence (in the case of illness) or a detailed statement if you have been absent for other reasons.
    

3. If you wish the reason for your absence to be kept confidential, you should discuss this with Student Support. You should also contact Student Support if you are likely to be absent for several weeks and require your lectures to be taped or some other form of support.

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Assessment

2.

1. Absence from Examinations

1. If you are absent from an end of year examination or September re-sit, you should complete an Extenuating Circumstances Form explaining the reason for your absence and provide appropriate corroboration. These forms are available for you to download from:

   Undergraduate students www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/ug/extenug.html

   Taught Postgraduate students www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/pgt/extenpg.htm

Extenuating Circumstances Forms should be returned to the Registry by the published deadline. This information will then be considered by the Board of Examiners.

2. Continuous Assessment

1. If you are unable to hand in a piece of assessed work (including projects/term papers) by the published deadline, you should consult the guidelines on a Late Submission of Coursework Form, which are on the Registry Webpage at: www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/ug/crswk_pol.htm
    

2. If you have been unable attend a coursework test, such as a timed in-class test, a presentation or a practical class, you should inform your department as soon as possible. Some departments already have automatic reassessment procedures. Departments which do not have automatic reassessment procedures may be able to provide reassessment opportunities for this type of coursework. You would then have to submit a Late Submission of Coursework Form to the department to request that your mark be instated if you are given the chance to undertake reassessment, or to request that you be permitted another opportunity to undertake the assessment. Please seek further advice from your department.

3. Performance in Assessed Work

If you believe that your performance in assessed work, including examinations, has been seriously affected by illness or other factors, you should refer to the Extenuating Circumstances guidelines and complete an Extenuating Circumstances Form.

Extenuating Circumstances Forms are available to download from:

Undergraduate students www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/ug/extenug.html

Taught Postgraduate students www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/pgt/extenpg.htm

Completed forms should be returned to the Registry by the published deadline. Student Support can be contacted for advice about extenuating circumstances.

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Progress Procedures

3.

If you are referred to the Dean on progress grounds or to Progress Committee you may be required to provide medical evidence if it is relevant to the case.

Intermission

4.

If you apply to withdraw temporarily from the University on medical grounds, you will need to provide proof that you are medically fit before you can resume your studies. Student Support will contact you about this towards the end of your period of intermission.

Individual Needs

(see also the Student Support Disability website)

5.

If you wish to apply for individual exam or other arrangements on grounds of disability or medical condition you will be asked to provide a medical report to support your request.