If you hold a Tier 4/Student Route visa, read more about how UAL will monitor your attendance and engagement with your course.
Find out what to do if you miss a session and how to request authorised absence. Explore more whether you're studying online or on-campus.
Attendance monitoring
An attendance register is taken by the tutor in each class.
- If you attend the class fully, you'll be given a full attendance mark of 1.0 (present).
- If you’re late, leave early or if you fail to participate in the class, you'll be given an attendance mark of 0.5 (half-absent).
- If you don’t attend, you'll be marked as 0 (absent).
You must attend at least 90% of your classes and fully engage in your classes to remain on the course.
Requesting authorised absence
If you're going to be absent from or late to your class, you must complete the absence form on Moodle.
You should submit the form before your absence/lateness. You can submit the form the day after your absence/lateness at the latest. Attach a document to support your lateness/absence. For example, a doctor's note or a hospital appointment letter.
The pre-sessional team will review your form and support document and decide whether to authorise your absence or lateness.
Authorised reasons for absence
You can apply for an authorised absence under 3 categories:
- Extended periods of illness. You must have evidence for this, such as a medical certificate or doctors’ note.
- Attendance at appointments or commitments that you cannot miss. For example, hospital appointments, religious requirements or court attendance.
- Mitigating circumstances. For example, bereavement, serious illness of a close family member, childcare or technical issues related to online study.
All authorised absences will be considered on an individual basis.
Unauthorised absence
Your absence will only be authorised if:
- you complete your absence form on time and
- you submit valid evidence to support your absence claim on time and
- you have an acceptable reason for being late or absent.
Otherwise your absence will be recorded as unauthorised.
If you have 1 unauthorised absence/lateness, you’ll receive a warning email. If you have 2 unauthorised absences/lateness, you'll be asked to attend a meeting with the Assistant Head of Pre-sessional or the Academic Lead for Digital Teaching and Learning. If you have more than 2 unauthorised absences/lateness, you’ll be withdrawn from your course.
Your attendance must stay above 90%
You need to keep your overall attendance above 90% at all times, whether your absences are authorised or not. If you don't do this you'll be withdrawn from your course.
Course withdrawal for on-campus students
If you’re withdrawn from your course, your withdrawal will be reported to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), who will be instructed to cancel your Tier 4/Student Route visa. You’ll receive an email confirming this and outlining your next steps. Upon receipt of the withdrawal email, you’ll need to prepare to leave the UK within 60 days.