Course or degree issues

We can provide assistance with any academic problems that should arise during your time as an undergraduate.

What should I do if…

I would like to change a course?

Please speak to the Student Support Team as soon as possible. The earlier in semester you request a course change the more likely this will be approved.

I need to speak to my Personal Tutor?

Your Personal Tutor should be your first port of call for academic advice and guidance as well as for providing academic references. It is advisable to contact your PT by email to arrange an appointment unless you know his or her office hour(s).

If your PT is not available for any reason, you should contact the Student Support Team who can put you in touch with the School’s Senior Tutor or another relevant Academic member of staff.

I have failed to progress to Honours?

You should speak to your Personal Tutor as soon as possible to discuss the options available to you, or please contact the Student Support Team. Further support and guidance on academic appeals can be obtained from The EUSA Advice Place.

EUSA Advice Place

I don't want to take (X) compulsory course, I would rather study (Y)?

Where possible, you must adhere to the degree programme table (DPT) and take all courses noted as compulsory. If you have a strong reason for taking another course (e.g. looking ahead to further study), please speak to the Student Support Team to discuss a concession to allow you to deviate from the DPT. Please note that all concessions MUST be authorised by the Senior Tutor (or, in some cases, College) and approval is not guaranteed. ALL deviations will be noted on your student record.

I wish to take an Authorised Interruption of Study?

Students who require a leave of absence exceeding three weeks in duration need to apply for an Authorised Interruption of Study (AIS). An AIS will not normally exceed one academic year and supporting evidence (such as medical certificates) must be provided.

If you wish to apply for an AIS you should contact the Student Support Team as soon as possible. The application will then be sent to the Associate Dean (Academic Progress), who will contact you directly to confirm the outcome. Interruptions cannot be granted retrospectively. If you are struggling with personal and/or academic issues, it is vital that you contact the Student Support Team as soon as possible.

During the period of absence it is your responsibility to provide a current postal contact address and to ensure that any legal requirements imposed by your funding or grant authority are met. You must also check your University email account regularly for communications from the University.

I wish to transfer to another degree programme?

Students wishing to transfer into another degree programme should contact the Student Support Team at early as possible. It should be remembered that final authorisation of transfers within the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures lies with the Senior Tutor.

While transfer to a different degree programme within the College of Humanities and Social Science is possible, it is not automatic and some transfers are not possible, particularly where there are tight subject limits and minimum entrance grades for degree programmes.

The Student Support Team will be able to advise you on procedures for transferring into another School within CHSS and also on transferring to another College. It should be noted that in the latter case - as with transfers which extend the period of study - these transfers must be approved by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. There is a strict deadline for such requests (usually mid-March) and students will be informed of the outcome during the summer.

I wish to withdraw permanently from the University?

Please contact the Student Support Team as soon as possible.

If your question has not been answered, please check our other sections:

Contact details

Contact the Student Support Team who will be happy to help:

Room 5.05, David Hume Tower

Tel: 0131 650 3647/ 0131 650 3673

Email:

LLC Student Support

This article was published on Oct 16, 2012