The University of Sheffield
Our Commitment

Your Academic Experience - Taught Students

Students being taught

The University undertakes to deliver the highest possible standards of teaching and to provide an appropriate level of academic guidance and pastoral support to students.

Information on Programmes of Study

Departments will provide full information and guidance on the aims and structure of programmes of study, the content and availability of modules, associated workloads, the methods and timing of assessments and the calculation of degree classifications. Such information will be provided in Programme Specifications and within departmental or programme handbooks. Programme Specifications are published on the University’s web site alongside Programme Regulations on the Calendar web pages. In addition, all departments offering dual degrees provision will have a Dual Degrees Co-ordinator who will act as the first point of contact for all issues relating to the academic organisation of dual degrees.

Advance notice will be given of any likely additional costs or visa requirements, such as those in connection with field trips, placements and additional materials. Changes to any of this published information will be communicated to students at the earliest possible opportunity.

Students are asked to read any published information carefully. It is also the responsibility of each student to check their registration details at the start of each semester and report any errors or discrepancies as soon as possible as it's harder to put mistakes right later. Any changes to module registration should be notified to the University within three weeks of the start of each semester.

Attendance Requirements

University Regulations require students to attend throughout each semester, including the full examination period. This means turning up on time to all designated teaching sessions, tutorials, laboratory sessions and all assessments, including examinations. Any absences must be notified to the relevant academic department in writing as soon as possible.  Departments regularly monitor student attendance using systems developed by the University to identify and support students who are having difficulty with their programmes of study.

Personal and Academic Support for Students

Every taught student (both undergraduate and postgraduate) will be allocated a named academic as their key point of contact for academic and personal support by departments, contributing substantively to their programme of study.  Students are entitled to individual face-to-face meetings with their personal tutor at least once per semester and may request additional meetings as the need arises.  Wherever possible, students should have the same personal tutor throughout their programme of study.

Academic departments will make arrangements for students to meet their personal tutors within the first three weeks of the start of their study programme and at least once per semester afterwards.

The role of the personal tutor is to provide academic guidance and confidential personal support, acting as a first point of contact for students and a gateway in to the wide range of student support services available. Students should take equal responsibility for making the student/personal tutor relationship work, by maintaining regular contact with their tutor and asking for support as appropriate. It is important that both personal tutors and students keep to any pre-arranged appointments.

If you ask that information given to your personal tutor be treated as confidential, this will be respected in all but exceptional circumstances. All personal information held by departments will be handled in accordance with the University's Data Protection policy and procedures.

Academic Skills Support

A range of IT and information skills training is available to students, taking into account the demands of particular programmes of study and the importance of transferable skills.

301 is a new student skills and development centre opening in 2012.  Based in remodelled premises at 301 Glossop Road this flagship centre will offer a flexible, modern space open to all University of Sheffield students and will have a strong web presence, with online resources and support for both students and staff.

The Academic Skills Hub (TASH) is an online resource which provides guidance on essential academic skills and signposts learning resources that can help you to develop new skills, or improve on those you've already gained.  The Hub was set up by a team of lecturers and support staff drawn from across the University, working collaboratively with students.

TASH includes materials provided by the Library to help you develop or improve your information literacy skills (information literacy encompasses how to find, evaluate and cite information, including avoiding plagiarism). You can also go directly to these library materials.

Maths & Statistics Help (MASH), based at 301 when it opens in 2012, is open to all students and offers bookable one-to-one advice and support sessions.  In addition, the MASH website gives access to a range of online resources that you can work through at your own pace.

University of Sheffield Enterprise (USE) offers enterprise support to both academics and students.  USE can help academic staff create an enterprising curriculum for students and can also help students develop their business ideas and enterprise skills. 

Timetables

Lecture timetables will be made available to students before the start of each semester (or, in the case of Nursing and Midwifery students, before the start of each module).

The Assessment Process (by means of examinations or otherwise)

The University shall seek to prevent bias by Examiners in favour of or against students by ensuring that all answer books from invigilated examinations are anonymous at the point of marking. Each department will inform students via departmental handbooks of any examinations which are not marked anonymously. Wherever practicable and appropriate, departments will also seek to mark non-invigilated examinations anonymously.

Each academic department will publicise the minimum standard of assessment feedback students can expect to receive.

Examination timetables will be published in Week 11 or 12 of each semester, with draft timetables being displayed in departments at an earlier stage in the semester, so that any possible clashes can be checked out.

Students are expected to satisfy all assessment requirements, including attendance at examinations.  Any illness or other special circumstances during the examination period must be notified as soon as possible to the relevant academic department and a medical certificate provided.  Non-attendance at examinations without a satisfactory explanation or appropriate medical certification may result in automatic failure.

Under the University’s Academic Appeals Regulations a student may seek a review of the recommendation of the Examiners on specified grounds, although it should be noted that appeals against the academic judgement of the Examiners will not be considered. Any appeal should be made within 14 working days of the publication of examination results.

The Use of Unfair Means in the Assessment Process

Students must not use unfair means in the assessment process: plagiarism, collusion and submitting bought or commissioned work are regarded as particularly serious offences.  Material submitted for assessment must be a student’s own original work and each time a submission is made, they will be required to give confirmation to this effect.  The University may take action against any student found to have used unfair means.

Mobile Phones

University Examination Regulations state that mobile phones must not be taken into examinations and disciplinary action may be taken against any students who ignore this ruling.  Phones should also be switched off during lectures, seminars and any interviews with University staff, as a matter of courtesy.

Student Engagement and Representation

You are encouraged to become actively engaged in activities within and beyond the University.  This could include taking advantage of opportunities to have your say about issues that affect your academic life by becoming a student representative and by taking part in learning and teaching development projects.  For instance you could become a Student Ambassador for Learning and Teaching (SALT) or take part in the Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE).

Each academic department has a Staff-Student Committee, meeting on a regular basis.  You have the opportunity to be represented on these Committees, as the exchange of information (on subjects such as environmental factors and other issues that affect your learning experience) and views is mutually beneficial.  Election procedures will be clearly laid down and publicised by departments.  There should also be opportunities for student representation on other departmental committees, where appropriate, for example the Departmental Teaching Committee or the Library Committee.

The Students' Union encourages students to take an active role in their Union by participating in the annual Sabbatical Officer elections.  Students are also elected annually onto the Union Assembly and the wide range of Standing and Representative Committees.  

Evaluation of Programmes of Study

Academic departments ask students to evaluate their programmes of study (including individual modules) on an annual basis.  The results are reported via Staff-Student Committees and other appropriate means, for example on departmental notice boards and web sites.  Feedback from students is one of the main ways by which the University is able to improve its teaching and student support provision and therefore relies heavily on the full and active participation of its students in the evaluation process.

Student Evaluation of Programmes of Study