► Academic Issues

Sometimes, despite your best intentions, your studies don't always go to plan. If you are having any problems we are happy to listen, and can offer information and advice on the University’s policies and procedures and if requested attend meetings with you. Check out the links below for more information. If you cannot find what you are looking for or need further information please contact us by email at advice-centre@hud.ac.uk or by visiting the centre.

Illness and Extenuating Circumstances

Extenuating circumstances is a term used to explain serious personal difficulties which a student may experience at some point during their studies and which may have directly affected their academic performance in an assessed element of their course. For example if you have been ill and fallen behind on your course or missed an exam you may be able to ask for extenuating circumstances to be taken into account when assessing your performance. For more information on this please click here.

Appealing Against a Course Assessment Board’s Decision

Following receipt of your results you may wish to consider submitting an appeal. There are only certain grounds on which a request can be considered and there are deadlines for submission. The Students’ Union Advice and Information Centre can provide you with information on the appeal process and advise you on whether your grounds for requesting an appeal are realistic. For more information click here.

Complaints

There may be a time during your studies that you feel unhappy about an aspect of your learning experience at the University and wish to make a complaint. The Student Complaints Procedure provides a clear framework for students to use to bring matters of concern to the attention of the University. A copy of this procedure can be accessed on the University’s website by clicking here. The Advisers in the Students’ Union Advice and Information Centre can provide information and advice on the procedure.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is any attempt by a student to gain an unfair advantage in an assessment. Examples of academic misconduct include cheating, collusion, plagiarism, ghosting and falsification. The University regard such offences seriously and if an allegation is upheld, it can lead to a disciplinary penalty being imposed. The University have a framework for dealing with allegations of academic misconduct. This can be found in the Students’ Handbook of Regulations or by clicking here. The Students’ Union Advisers can provide you with guidance on the procedure and attend any meetings with you at your request. Please note that at busy times of the year, the advisers require a minimum of two days notice to accompany you to a meeting.

Disciplinary Issues

We hope that this will not be an issue you have to seek advice on during your studies however if you do find that you have been asked to meet with your Course Leader, Dean or appear before a disciplinary panel then the Students’ Union Advisers can provide you with guidance on the procedure, help you to prepare your response and at your request attend any meetings with you. You can find a copy of the Student Disciplinary Procedures under Section 7 of the Student Handbook of Regulations or by clicking here.

Attendance Monitoring

Whilst you may feel that attendance at University is not compulsory, you should be aware that the University expects students to attend classes and operates an Attendance Monitoring Policy. This means that attendance is monitored systematically and if a student fails to attend a module for a period of three weeks, this will be reported and further action may be taken. If you find that you have fallen foul of this policy, the Advisers can advise you of your options. For further information on this visit the Students’ Handbook of Regulations here.