Attendance & absence
The University is here to support you. It’s not just your education that is our priority; it’s your welfare too. We’re aware that everyone has a life outside of study and that sometimes there are circumstances that can affect your university work. This is why we have provisions in place to help you through difficulties. If you’re undergoing difficulties that affect your attendance, ability to work, exams, or coursework, you should inform us at the earliest opportunity.
If you would like to speak to someone in the department about absences or illness please contact journalism@sheffield.ac.uk.
Attendance Guidelines
Attendance at your timetabled teaching sessions forms part of the commitment you make when you register with the University of Sheffield. We monitor attendance on all of our modules and will be in touch with you if you’re absent without letting us know why. Please do everything you can to communicate with staff in the department if you need to be absent from teaching sessions.
Attendance is compulsory at all timetabled teaching sessions. Attendance is monitored closely in order to ensure that students who are struggling receive the appropriate support.
Students are expected to be available between 8am and 6pm on Monday to Friday during the semester. You are also expected to be available during the examination periods (the last three weeks of each semester). Please do not book holidays or work placements during the semester or during the examination period. You can view the dates of both semesters here.
We cannot adjust examinations or deadlines for anything other than medical reasons or emergencies.
During your studies you may experience difficulties which could affect your academic performance. Such difficulties are known as ‘extenuating circumstances’ and may include medical problems, including long-term conditions or short periods of illness, personal problems or difficult events e.g. bereavement, and serious incidents e.g. being affected by crime.
How do I use the digital check-in tool?
The digital check-in tool can be accessed via iSheffield either though the mobile app or MUSE on your web browser. For more information on the digital check-in tool, follow the link here.
What reasons are acceptable for absence?
There are two types of absence: authorised and unauthorised.
Acceptable reasons for absence to be authorised include:
Health problems (please think carefully about minor illness such as headache, coughs or colds which, in a work situation, would be unlikely to lead to an absence from work)
Bereavement
Serious personal difficulties
Unacceptable reasons for being absent include:
Avoidable and recurring travel delays (for example, rush-hour traffic is not an acceptable reason)
Being unprepared for a seminar
Oversleeping or alarm problems
Attending family celebrations
Paid employment
Extra-curricular sports activities
Time management issues
What should you do if you're going to be absent for up to seven calendar days days (1 week)?
Complete this Google Form to inform us and select the first option, 'Up to 7 calendar days (1 week)'.
Log you absence through the 'Student Check In' tile on the iSheffield app or web browser (via MUSE) for each session you will be absent for, including workshops, Newsdays, seminars and lectures. NB: Choosing the absence option doesn't mean your absence is authorised. You need to inform the department of the reason for your absence via the Google Form above.
Inform your seminar or workshop leader of your absence and ask how to catch up on any missed work in advance of the session. This is your responsibility. You can find staff email addresses on our staff page.
If your seminar absence affects your assessment (including oral assessments), contact us on journalism@sheffield.ac.uk for further advice.
If you are absent without authorisation, you will be asked to account for your absences.
What should you do if you're going to be absent for a period of more than seven calendar days (1 week)?
Complete this Google Form to inform us and select the second option, 'Longer than 7 calendar days (1 week)'. Supporting evidence should be submitted in support of this request.
We will then contact you to discuss this further as longer absences are likely to have an impact on your academic performance and we need to ensure that we can make adjustments for you as needed and put effective support in place.
Students with absences lasting more than three weeks are strongly encouraged to take a Leave of Absence from their studies. You will need to discuss this with either the Senior Student Experience Officer or personal tutor, or another member of academic staff. Please contact us for more information and guidance.
If you are absent without authorisation, you will be asked to account for your absences.
What happens if you're absent without informing the department?
You will receive an email after every unauthorised absence.
After three unauthorised absences on a module, you will be asked to attend a progress review meeting with a member of staff.
Persistent unauthorised absences may lead to a referral to Faculty under the University's progression policy.
International non-EU students only: The University may be required to report your non-attendance to the UKVI.
If you do not respond to any communications received from the department about your attendance and engagement when asked to do so, the department reserves the right to refer you for a progress review under the relevant University process.