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Academic Advice

We are know that during their time at University Students’ will have a number of Academic issue they may need help with – this page covers a number of the common things that students’ encounter during their time at University.

If you need help with any of these or other academic issues not covered on this webpage make an appointment to see one of the Students’ Union Advisors.

To book an appointment with one of our advisors to call 01332 591507 (Derby) or 01332 594553 (Buxton) or email thesource@udsu.co.uk or thesourcebuxton@udsu.co.uk

FAQs

  • How do I make a complaint?

    The University of Derby has a complaints procedure – this can be found at www.derby.ac.uk/academic-regulations. This outlines the stages you can go though to put in a complaint.

    You can complain if you are unhappy about an aspect of their course, University service, facility or anything you feel is unsatisfactory and needs to be addressed

  • Who can complain?

    A current student, a previously registered student, a student studying with a partner institution, a recent graduate or an applicant to the University.

  • How you put in a complaint?

    The first thing to do is read through the University of Derby’s complaints procedure this tells you how to what to do, for details see www.derby.ac.uk/complaints. If you do wish to complete a complaints form, this can be done though your UDo account. If you prefer or you are a former student this can be done a copy of the complaints form can be found in the useful downloads section of this part of the Students’ Union website.

  • Where can I get help from?

    An advisor from the Students’ Union can assist you through the process of making a complaint. We would suggest you do seek advice right from the start.

  • How do I appeal a grade?

    If you are unhappy with a result/grade which has been confirmed through the University, then you might be able to appeal based on the following reasons:

    • Your performance suffered because you were ill or other reasons which you could not have informed the university about at the time of the assessment (You will need to clearly state why you could not inform the University at the time).
    • That the assessment was not carried out in line with programme and/or module regulations
    • The University made an error during the administrative process and a mistake was made
    • That the assessor(s) or the Assessment Board did not consider all the previously reported circumstances which may have significantly affected your performance – this may have been reported to them via the Exceptional Extenuating Circumstances procedure.

    The Appeals Regulations can be found at www.derby.ac.uk/academic-regulations

    YOU CANNOT APPEAL ACADEMIC JUDGEMENT!

  • The Process of Appealing - Informally

    It is recommended that you discuss your results informally with your Programme/Module Leader first or if you are a Joint Honours student, then we recommend you talk to your Academic Counsellor.

    If you still feel you have enough evidence to support you appeal, then you can put in a Formal Appeal.

  • The Process of Appealing – Formally

    Appeals must be submitted within 21 days of the publication of results for University of Derby awards and within 14 days for external awards. The form which can be accessed at www.derby.ac.uk/files/appeal_form2.doc or in the useful downloads section of this part of the Students’ Union website.

  • Where can I get help on appealing from?

    An advisor from the Students’ Union can assist you through the Appeals process. We would suggest you see an advisor as soon as you feel you want to appeal.

  • What is an Academic Offence?

    During their time at University some students may commit an Academic Offence. This is what they are:

    • Plagiarism is when a student submits as her/his own work something she/he didn’t originally write.
    • Collusion is when students improperly work together on a piece of work and/or let other people copy it.
    • Impersonation is when a student pretends to be another student in an exam, or when someone submits someone else’s work as their own. Both the student and the impersonator can be found guilty of this offence.
    • Improper conduct in formal examinations is when a student takes in any unauthorised paper, material or electronic devices such as mobile phones, programmable calculators or electronic dictionaries to an exam. It’s also when a student communicates with another student during and exam.

  • What happens if I’ve committed an academic offence?

    If you have been contacted by the University to say that you many have committed an academic offence – we would strongly advice you contact a Students’ Union Advisor for help and support

    Help and support is available from Students’ Union Advisors at all stages of this process. They can for example, explain the process to you, go with you to meetings, help you to prepare what you will say at meetings and access other support that you may need.

    The University has set a procedure for dealing with students who are suspected of committing an Academic Offence; the next part gives an overview of these. The full procedure can be found at www.derby.ac.uk/academic-regulations

    For all offences except Breaches of examination room regulations the following steps may be taken:

    • Step 1: Programme/Subject Leader Meeting
    • Step 2: Meeting with the Dean
    • Step 3: Formal Academic offence panel. A formal academic offence panel may be convened where the Dean is unable to reach a conclusion.

    Breaches of examination room regulations

    Following report to the Assessment and Awards Manager by the invigilator, a fixed penalty in accordance with 4.1(iii) of the University’s procedure will apply unless the breach of exam room regulations may be shown to have resulted in the student gaining an unfair advantage when the case will be referred to the Dean of Faculty for consideration (step 2)

    Consequences of committing an academic offence

    There are a range of penalties that can be applied if it is shown a student has committed an academic offence – these are outlined in section Q4.1 of the University’s procedure and you will see the severity of the penalty is dependent on details of the case.

  • Who can attend a University meeting with me?

    The following people can attend a University meeting with you:

    • A friend who is not acting in a professional capacity, this could be a fellow student.
    • If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or guardian.
    • One of the Advisors from the Students’ Union Advice Service.

  • How do I change my course?

    If you feel you want to change your course, the best thing you can do is discuss how you feel with your Programme Leader, Academic Counsellor or a Student Liaison Officer (www.derby.ac.uk/studentliaison). They will be able to help you decide if the course if not for your and look at if it is possible for you to change to another course.

    Before you see your Programme Leader, Academic Counsellor or Student Liaison Officer it is useful to have considered the reasons for wanting to change your course and what course you may wish to change to.

    You can also speak to a Careers Advisor at the Career Development Centre (www.derby.ac.uk/careers).

    If you are allowed to transfer to another course you would need to complete a Programme Transfer form – see the useful downloads section at the end of this page. Also in this section is Derby University’s Withdrawn Booklet.

    If you need any help or support with this feel free to contact one of the Students’ Union Advisors. They will be able to help you talk through things and contact the appropriate people.

  • How do I change to another University?

    If you are considering leaving and going to another University it is suggested you speak to your Programme Leader, Academic Counsellor or a Student Liaison Officer (www.derby.ac.uk/studentliaison).

    If you do decide to leave you would need to complete a withdrawal form – see the useful downloads section at the end of this page. Also in this section is Derby University’s Withdrawn Booklet.

    If you do decide to leave and move to another University you need to consider the effects this can have on your Student Funding, Tuition Fees, Contracts signed for your accommodation etc. For information and guidance you can see one of the Students’ Union Advisors.

  • I am having problems with my lecturer, what can I do?

    If you feel able to it would be useful to speak to the lecturer directly to see if it can be resolved. If you do not feel able to do this speak with your Programme Leader or a Student Liaison Office (www.derby.ac.uk/studentliaison).

    If you feel unable to do the above yourself and would like help to speak to the people or talk things this though come to see one of the Students’ Union Advisors’. We would suggest you see an advisor as soon as you feel you want to appeal. Remember what you say to them is confidential.

  • I need to take time out of University, what do I do?

    If you feel that you need to take time out this is called an Authorised Break form study by the University.

    There are several things that you can do:

    • Talk it through with someone first, they will help you decided if it is necessary to take a break or is there another option.
    • You can talk to your Programme Leader or a Student Liaison Officer (SLO). Each Faculty has their details can be found at www.derby.ac.uk/studentliaison or in the useful contact section of this page.
    • You could see one of the Students’ Union Advisors – they will help you talk things though and make contact with your Programme Leader or Student Liaison Officer. If you wish they will come with you to any meetings you have.

    If you do decide to take a break you must complete an Authorised Break form – this needs to be signed by your Programme Leader and Student Liaison Officer. You can get one of these forms on line or there is a copy in the useful downloads section of this page.

    If you do take a break it is important to thing about the effects this may have on you Student Loan and other Student Funding you have. To find out the about the effects this may have you can e mails studentrecordsandfees@derby.ac.uk and may have to contact Student Finance directly.

    The Source would recommend that you make an appointment to see one of the Students’ Union Advisors’.

  • I’ve been called to Fitness to Practice Panel – what’s that?

    It is likely that you have been asked to attend a Professional Conduct and Professional Suitability Panel. This is comes under the Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences Professional Conduct and Professional Suitability Policy.

    When Students are on a programme that has a some professional practice, for example Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Art Therapy and their professional conduct and professional suitability is called into question then this is when the Professional Conduct and Professional Suitability Policy is likely to be used. This policy can be found at www.derby.ac.uk/files/policy_on_pcps.pdf and in the useful downloads of this page.

    If you have been called to a Panel or still not sure what you are being asked to attend the Source would strongly advice that you make an appointment to see one of the Students’ Union Advisors – they will be able to go through the policy with you, go to the panel with you (if you wish) and help you prepare anything that you need to submit to the panel.

  • I am not sure my study skills are effective – what can I do?

    Whether you have studied recently or are returning to study; at the start of your time at University it is worth spending time and effort ensuring your study skills are effective, as this helps you get the most out of your course and helps you achieve.

    Top tips for studying effectively:

    • Think about what skills you need to study effectively. These include:
      • Time management
      • Note taking
      • Writing skills
      • Preparing for tutorials
      • Exam preparation
      • Referencing
      • Effective reading
    • Review you study skills, what has worked in the past and what hasn’t. This gives you a base to start from.
    • If you are returning to study or feel your skills are not effective get help.
    • Plan you time – you need to work, rest and play.
    • Plan around when work is due in, work backwards from deadlines. It is better to allow too much time, rather than to little.
    • Think about where you are going to study.
    • It may help to study with others, if you work in this way.
    • Make good use of any lectures, lecture notes and handouts and any module resources available online.

    Where you get help?

    The University of Derby have a range of resources that will assist you to develop effective study skills:

    • These can be found at www.derby.ac.uk/library/study-skills. The resources cover a range of topics such as – essay writing, note taking and time management
    • There is also a Study Advisor Scheme. To see a study advisor “simply fill out a blue ‘Study Advisor Scheme request form’ which can be found at the Subject Enquiry Desk at Kedleston Road Learning Centre, or at the lending desk of the other library sites, once completed return the form by email, post or to any learning centre counter and the scheme co-ordinator will contact you as soon as possible. Or you can fill out the form online at www.derby.ac.uk/library/study-skills/study-advisor-scheme/study-advisor-request-form
    • If you prefer or need more information about the study advisor scheme you can contact the scheme co-ordinator directly in the following ways:
      • Calling in to the Study Skills drop-in centre in Room L205, 2nd floor of Kedleston Road Learning Centre” (Varney 2008)
      • The above forms also can be found at the Learning Centre at the Dome in Buxton, but at present students at Buxton are best to contact the co – ordinator directly; Email studyadvisors@derby.ac.uk or Telephone 01332 591369 (24 hour answer phone). Study advisors are available at both Derby and Buxton.
    • Online study skills tutorials can be found at http://www.derby.ac.uk/library/study-skills/online-tutorials-and-links.
    • If you are having difficulties with IT skills there is also an IT Advisor Scheme and resources available. To book an advisor or find out more about these you can
    • Contact Lynn Eatherden the Student IT Training Officer by Emailing: l.eatherden@derby.ac.uk or calling 01332 591598
    • Or call and see her in Room L205 Office hours Monday and Tuesday 8.30am to 4.30pm and Wednesday 8.30am to 12pm
    • There are also Quick Start guides online at http://www.derby.ac.uk/library/study-skills/student-it-help/quick-guides. And they are also available as paper copies from the libraries.

  • I can’t make my assessment deadline, who should I tell?

    If you are having problems meeting an assessment deadline it is vital to do something about this. The best people to help are the lectures’; this could be your module leader, supervisor or programme leader.

    Make an appointment to see one of them and talk things through with them, it may be that with help you can meet the assessment deadlines.

    If it seems that you will not be able to complete the work fully to submit on the date it is due in them you may need to go through the Exceptional Extenuating Circumstances (EEC) procedure – information about this can be found at www.derby.ac.uk/eec This is a procedure that the University introduced at the beginning of the Academic year 2011/2012.

    Exceptional Extenuating Circumstances are things that you could not have planned for or anticipated. They are not things like you did not plan your time well or get organised in time to do the work. If this is the problem see the Study Skills section of this page.

    A full copy of the EEC regulations can be found in the useful downloads section of this page, along with copies of the forms EEC1 and EEC1a that are mentioned.

    If you need any assistance with any of the above or you are not sure what to do, the Source would recommend that you make an appointment to see one of the Students’ Union Advisors’.

    If you have a disability or a medical condition or have a support plan then the above EEC procedure may not apply to you, see www.derby.ac.uk/eec but you may come under the Assessed Extended deadline procedure – if do not know about this or think it should apply to you contact the Student Wellbeing Service and ask to see one of the advisors – they can be contacted on 01332 593000 (Derby) or 01332 594414 (Buxton). Alternatively contact one of the Students’ Union Advisors.

Useful Downloads

Useful Links

 

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