IoPPN: Attendance & Engagement

You'll need to build on what you learn in class by completing further reading. As well as using the recommended reading lists and references, we encourage you to carry out your own literature searches to support your learning and deepen your understanding of your subject. 

Studying at university is rewarding and enjoyable, but it can also be challenging, especially if you have work, caring responsibilities or other commitments alongside your studies. Your course includes independent study, and you're expected to take responsibility for your learning by dedicating regular time and effort to your studies. 

Important to know: If you have any concerns about managing your studies or your workload, contact your Programme Team. They can discuss your situation and help you access the support available.  

You're expected to engage with the taught and clinical elements of your programme, where applicable. 

Attending your teaching sessions and taking an active part in them can help you achieve your best on your course. Regular attendance and engagement also help your Programme Team identify when you may need additional support, including if you're experiencing personal difficulties. 

When staff are asked to provide references, they're often asked to comment on your attendance, punctuality and academic performance. 

You can find out more about the University's expectations for academic engagement and attendance in the article Attendance and engagement with my studies – what’s expected of me and what’s the role of the University? 

There may be times when you can't attend a class because of illness or personal circumstances. 

You don't need to let your lecturers or tutors know about every absence. However, if you're regularly missing teaching sessions for any reason, including illness or timetable clashes, you must let both your Programme Officer and Personal Tutor know. 

If you're going to be absent for an extended period, you should tell your department as early as possible. This gives your programme time to consider your circumstances and, where appropriate, record your absence as authorised. 

Lecture recordings may be available for some timetabled lectures. They're provided to support your learning as a study and revision aid. They aren't a replacement for attending your teaching sessions in person. 

By attending your classes, you'll also be able to: 

• take part in interactive learning activities 

• ask questions and contribute to discussions 

• stay engaged with your course and keep up to date with your studies 

Important to know: There’s a clear link between regular attendance and stronger academic performance, so we encourage you to attend your scheduled teaching sessions whenever possible. 

Attendance is compulsory for all summative assessments. These may include: 

• examinations 

• in-class tests 

• presentations 

If you don’t attend and don’t submit a Mitigating Circumstances form, you will receive a mark of zero. You can find more information in the article What are Mitigating Circumstances? 

You're expected to attend all scheduled Personal Tutor meetings. They're an important part of the support available to you throughout your studies. 

If you can't attend a meeting, let your Personal Tutor know as early as possible so you can rearrange it. 

Important to know: Your Personal Tutor may be asked to provide references for jobs, internships or further study. Attending your meetings helps them get to know you and write more informed references. 

Your attendance will be recorded at all scheduled teaching activities, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and practicals, using Venio, the University's attendance and engagement monitoring tool. 

Monitoring your attendance helps us identify if you've repeatedly missed teaching so we can offer additional support through your Personal Tutor or Programme Team. 

You can find out more in the  Student Engagement and Attendance Monitoring Policy, which sets out how we support you to stay engaged with your studies. 

Consistent or long-term non-attendance will result in your programme reaching out to ensure that you are okay and to identify ways to support your engagement going forward.   

Important to know: For step-by-step guidance on logging your attendance using Venio, please read What is Venio and how do I use it to log my attendance?  

If you're studying at King's on a Student visa, you must meet the attendance and engagement requirements related to your visa to maintain your visa and continue studying in the UK. You can find out more in What are my student visa responsibilities?  

You can also find more information in the Immigration and Visa Advice section of Student Services Online.