Absence due to illness affecting attendance at compulsory classes/tutorials

If you are unwell and feel unable to attend the University to take a compulsory class or attend a tutorial then you must inform the Student Support Office immediately and they will complete a Notification of Absence form for you. You can inform the office in person, through a friend or family member*, by telephone (0161 2751487) or by email (studentsupportoffice.sbs@manchester.ac.uk).

There are inherent risks in communicating sensitive personal data by email such as the possibility of misdirection or interception by third parties.  Therefore if you do correspond with us by email, we will take this to mean that you understand and accept this risk.

If you send an email you must ensure that you keep a copy of both the email itself and the confirmation of reading the email, as there may be serious implications of being absent and consequences for your academic progress. You must do this as soon as possible, so that all options can be considered, and certainly no later than the day and start time of your compulsory class.

If you do not do this then you will normally be considered to have been absent from the class without good reason in which case you will be recorded as having an unauthorised absence.  Until your return to University you must also inform us of any further missed compulsory classes.

* If you are so unwell that a friend or family member has to contact the Student Support Office on your behalf it will only normally be possible for them to provide information for you – they will not be able to learn of the implications of your absence on your academic progress, which you must discover for yourself on your return to health. School staff will not engage in any dialogue with third parties (including parents) regarding your studies without your explicit, written consent.

On your return, you must report to the Student Support Office to complete a Self-Certification Form.  This MUST be completed within 7 days of your initial absence.

If illness keeps you away from the University for more than 7 days including weekends, you must consult your GP.  If you do consult a GP and he/she considers that you are not fit for attendance at the University, then you should obtain a note from the doctor to that effect or ask him/her to complete Part III of the University form ‘Certification of Student Ill Health’ copies of which are available at local GP surgeries. You should hand this certificate to the Student Support Office as soon as you return to University and no later than 7 days after your return. The use of the “Certification of Student Ill Health” form by GPs, as described above, has been agreed by the Manchester Local Medical Committee.  A GP may make a charge for completing the form.