Key Contact Details

If you have any queries or concerns at any time during your period of study at The University of Manchester, there is a range of people you can approach. Your Study Advisor will be your first point of call for general issues. Alternatively, you may wish to contact the Programme Director for specific aspects to do with the course or your Study Advisor for career development issues. If you wish to raise a confidential matter at School level, you should approach the Head of Teaching, Learning and Student Experience – contact details below.

Responsibility for overall management of the Programme lies with the Programme Director who has assembled a Programme Committee, which meets regularly, to advise on content, structure, management, student supervision, and regulatory matters such as Programme improvement and refinement. The Committee also includes the student representative who is democratically elected by you to attend these meetings.

Study Advisor (first point of call)
• studyadvisorhub@manchester.ac.uk

Director of Education Director of Education (UG and PGT)
• Professor Nicky High
• nicky.high@manchester.ac.uk

Head of Teaching, Learning and Student Experience
• Kerry Mycock
• kerry.mycock@manchester.ac.uk

Teaching and Learning Manager
• Kelly Salimian
• kelly.salimian@manchester.ac.uk

Student Service, Support & Development Manager
• Sam Green
• sam.green-1@manchester.ac.uk

Programme Director
• Helen Graham
• helen.k.graham@manchester.ac.uk

Your contact details
You will be supplied with a student e-mail address. The University will direct communications to you by using your student e-mail address and it is your responsibility to ensure that you can access and read mail from this source.  You should check your university email regularly and in turn should send all emails to the University using your student email address.

Blackboard

Blackboard is a web-based system that complements and builds upon traditional learning methods used at The University of Manchester. All course-related materials will be placed on Blackboard so it is essential that you familiarise yourself with the system as soon as possible. Blackboard also offers Discussion forums which you may find a useful resource to share information about assignments and other course-related queries. Blackboard is available to students.

• Students should access Blackboard via My Manchester
• Queries (technical related) should be directed to the eLearning team
• Queries (course content related) should be directed to: your Study Advisor at studyadvisorhub@manchester.ac.uk

                                                                                                                                                           

Programme Information

Programme Overview

The Skin Ageing and Aesthetic Medicine PG Cert provides qualified medical and dental practitioners with an in-depth knowledge encompassing the science of skin ageing and aesthetics, the application of evidence-based practice, and the clinical assessment and management of patients presenting with aesthetic problems This course has been aligned to the Health Education England (HEE)’s recommended qualification requirements for practitioners delivering cosmetic procedures. It aims to support practitioners in the critical analysis of a range of evidence-based interventions for patients seeking aesthetic procedures and strategies for systematic implementation and evaluation of these in the provision of patient-centred, safe and high quality care.

Learning Outcomes

This qualification will enable you to develop enhanced knowledge and skills including:

• the application of skin anatomy and physiology in relation to aesthetics and ageing;
• an ability to assess patients’ requirements and suitability for aesthetic intervention;
• an ability to critically appraise quality research in aesthetic medicine related to skin ageing;
• a critical understanding of the psychosocial impact of skin ageing on individuals;
• develop a working knowledge of frameworks for safe and competent practice including effective communication, assessment, management, implementation and evaluation;
• the application of consent and ethical practice in aesthetic medicine;
• a knowledge of  minimally invasive aesthetic procedures including rejuvenation techniques, dermal fillers, botulinum toxin injections and some lasers;
• The assessment and treatment of complications of these procedures;
• develop an evidence based approach to anti-ageing strategies in aesthetic medicine and practice.

Programme Structure

The PG Cert consists of four course units (see further information below).

All four units are 15 credits and all required to be eligible for a PG Cert. Individual units will also be available for CPD. For students studying CPD, BIOL68100 Fundamentals of Skin Ageing is a pre-requisite for all other course units.

Course Units

BIOL68100: Fundamentals of Skin Ageing

Unit code	BIOL68100
Credit rating	15

Overview

The unit aims to provide the student with knowledge of the function and organisation of healthy human skin, with a focus on cells and extracellular matrix. Seminars will be aimed at exploring the mechanisms which lead to skin ageing, including an appreciation of basic photobiology and the long-term consequences of chronic sun exposure (pathobiology). Students will develop fundamental scientific knowledge by engaging with a range of e-learning units comprising video lectures, histological evaluations and on line discussions to enable them to effectively appraise the current literature on skin ageing and develop evidence based practice.

Aims

To provide students with the knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of skin ageing with application of this knowledge to the clinical assessment of patients requesting aesthetic treatments.

BIOL68110: Skin Rejuvenation

Unit code	BIOL68110
Credit rating	15

Overview

This unit considers the scientific basis and indications for the latest skin rejuvenation techniques. The importance of evidence-based practice will be covered. The challenge of developing ethical and high quality services will be a theme of the module leading to an analysis of different skin rejuvenation techniques and their appropriateness for individuals. Students will engage in a variety of learning techniques through patient centred clinical teaching, case based modules online and small group learning.

Aims

•Enable students to develop an in-depth knowledge base and understanding of the basic science, assessment and techniques for skin rejuvenation

•Enable students to develop skills to critically appraise the literature contributing to the evidence base for skin rejuvenation and develop students’ capacity for original thinking in relation to current understanding of skin rejuvenation.

•Provide students with knowledge and skills to enable the application of good clinical, managerial and research practice to skin rejuvenation techniques and patient care.

BIOL68120: Injectables in Aesthetic Medicine

Unit code	BIOL68120
Credit rating	15

Overview

This module will be skills orientated and focus on evidence-based approaches to assessing and formulating the most appropriate strategies for a patient undergoing treatment with injectable devices: botox, lipolysis and fillers. Through hands on practice students will be guided through these techniques and encouraged to utilise critical thinking skills to demonstrate in-depth understanding of latest research and practice in this topic area to offer high quality patient centred care.

Aims

Equip students with in-depth knowledge, understanding and skills using evidence-based approaches to the assessment, formulation and management of patients undergoing treatment with injectable devices. To enhance best practice and maintenance of appropriate standards within aesthetic practice.

BIOL68130: Lasers in Aesthetic Medicine

Unit code	BIOL68130
Credit rating	15

Overview

This module will be skills orientated and focus on evidence-based approaches to  assessing and appropriately managing patients undergoing treatment with laser devices  used in aesthetic practice. Students will develop sound critical analysis skills through e learning, discussion forums and expert led tutorials.  

Through hands on clinical workshops students will be guided through these techniques  and encouraged to utilise critical thinking skills to demonstrate in-depth understanding of  latest research and practice in this topic area to offer high quality patient centred care.  

Aims

• Equip students with in-depth knowledge, understanding and skills in a range of evidence-based approaches to the assessment, formulation and management of laser devices in aesthetic medicine.

•Enhance best practice and maintain standards for laser treatments of aesthetic problems.

Programme Specific Induction

An online programme induction will be held.

Deadlines for Assessed Work

The deadline for any piece of assessed work is published on Blackboard. Please refer to your timetable for any due dates you may have.

Programme Management

The programme is managed and operated in accordance with the policies, principles, regulations and procedures of The University of Manchester. The Programme Directors, have day-to-day responsibility for the management of the programmes and are assisted by the Programme Administrator.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee meet twice a year. The committee’s functions and responsibilities are to maintain the standards of teaching, to evaluate and revise the programme in the light of feedback, to monitor student progression and to provide a forum for discussion between the University and the students. The Programme Committee reviews the annual monitoring report and acts on recommendations arising from the annual monitoring process. The membership of the Programme Committee includes: the Programme Directors; the Programme Administrator; Teaching Staff and Student Representatives. The Programme Committee report to the SBS Teaching and Learning Executive Committee.

External Examiner

The External Examiner for this programme is Ruth Murphy who is based at Sheffield University Hospital.

Please note that it is for information only and it is inappropriate for students to make direct contact with External Examiners under any circumstances, in particular with regards to a student’s individual performance in assessments. Other appropriate mechanisms are available for students, including the University’s appeals or complaints procedures and the UMSU Advice Centre. In cases where a student does contact an External Examiner directly, External Examiners have been requested not to respond to direct queries. Instead, External Examiners should report the matter to their School contact who will then contact the student to remind them of the other methods available for students. If students have any queries concerning this, they should contact their Study Advisor in the first instance.

External Examiner
External Examiners are individuals from another institution or organisation who monitor the assessment processes of the University to ensure fairness and academic standards. They ensure that assessment and examination procedures have been fairly and properly implemented and that decisions have been made after appropriate deliberation. They also ensure that standards of awards and levels of student performance are at least comparable with those in equivalent higher education institutions.

External Examiners’ reports
External Examiners’ reports relating to this programme will be shared with student representatives at the Staff Student Liaison Committee and/or Programme Committee where details of any actions carried out by the programme team/School in response to the External Examiners’ comments will be discussed. Students should contact their student representatives if they require any further information about External Examiners’ reports or the process for considering them.

Progress and Assessment

Deadlines for Assessed Work

All assessed work must be handed in at the prescribed time. Dates will be published in advance of the deadline. We recommend that you transfer these dates to your diaries as soon as they are published.

Assignment Word Count (Including Dissertation)

In accordance with the University Policy on Marking:

Each written assignment has a word limit which you must state at the top of your first page. It is acceptable, without penalty, for you to submit an assignment within a range that is plus 10% of this limit. If you present an assignment with a word count exceeding the specified limit+10%, the assignment will be marked but 1% will be deducted from this mark for every 100 words over the limit given.

For an original word limit that is 1000 words and an assignment that is marked out of 100. If a submission is made that is 1101 words then it exceeded the 10% leeway, and is more than 100 words over the original limit and should receive a 1 mark deduction.

In accordance with accepted academic practice, when submitting any written assignment for summative assessment, the notion of a word count includes the following without exception:

• All titles or headings that form part of the actual text. This does not include the fly page or reference list
• All words that form the actual essay
• All words forming the titles for figures, tables and boxes, are included but this does not include boxes or tables or figures themselves
• All in-text (that is bracketed) references
• All directly quoted material

Certain assessments may require different penalties for word limits to be applied. For example, if part of the requirement for the assessment is conciseness of presentation of facts and arguments. In such cases it may be that no 10% leeway is allowed and penalties applied may be stricter than described above. In such cases the rules for word count limits and the penalties to be applied will be clearly stated in the assessment brief and in the submission details for that assessment.

Submitting your work

All assignments must be submitted electronically. The published deadlines for assessments all relate to the electronic submission which is completed via Blackboard, using the Turnitin system in the majority of cases. You must submit by the deadline advertised in your timetable/assessment handbook.

 

• Submitting an electronic copy of the work
• Log onto Blackboard via My Manchester
• Click on the relevant course unit
• Go to assessment folder
• Upload your assignment via the Turnitin process

Turnitin

The University uses electronic systems for the purposes of detecting plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice and for marking. Such systems include Turnitin, the plagiarism detection service used by the University.

The School also reserves the right to submit work handed in by you for formative or summative assessment to Turnitin and/or other electronic systems used by the University.

Please note that when work is submitted to the relevant electronic systems, it may be copied and then stored in a database to allow appropriate checks to be made.

Guidance on how to submit assignments

Please note that you can only upload one document so you cannot save your references/appendices as a separate document.

Extensions to Assignment Deadlines

On rare occasions students may need to request an extension to a coursework deadline due to circumstances beyond their control. If you need to request an extension to your assignment submission deadline then you must submit an extension request form which must be accompanied by supporting evidence (medical letters, certificates or other appropriate evidence). The supporting evidence must justify the length of the requested extension.

The extension request form is available via the Student Support Team .

The form should be submitted as soon as possible before the coursework deadline and should be submitted to the Student Support Team.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your request has been received.

You will be notified of the outcome of your request via email as soon as possible. Please note that an extension to a deadline is classed as mitigation. Mitigation can only be applied once to a piece of work. i.e. you cannot have an deadline extension and also apply for mitigation for poor performance due to the same circumstances.

Late Submission Penalty (Including Dissertation)

Work submitted after the deadline without prior approval will be subject to a late penalty in accordance with the University Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes. The penalty applied is 10% of available marks deducted per day/24 hours (from the time of the original or extended deadline), until the assignment is submitted or no marks remain.

Penalties for late submission relate to 24 hours/calendar days, so include weekends and weekdays, as well as bank holidays and University closure days.

The mark awarded for the piece of work will be reduced by:

10% of the available marks deducted if up to 24 hours (1 day) late

20% of the available marks deducted if up to 48 hours (2 days) late

30% of the available marks deducted if up to 72 hours (3 days) late

40% of the available marks deducted if up to 96 hours (4 days) late

50% of the available marks deducted if up to 120 hours (5 days) late

60% of the available marks deducted if up to 144 hours (6 days) late

70% of the available marks deducted if up to 168 hours (7 days) late

80% of the available marks deducted if up to 192 hours (8 days) late

90% of the available marks deducted if up to 216 hours (9 days) late

100% of the available marks deducted if up to 240 hours (10 days) late

If the assessment is submitted within 10 days of the deadline the assessment should be marked and feedback to the student provided. If this mark before the penalty is applied reaches the appropriate pass mark but the applied penalty results in a fail of the assessment, the student should not be required to resit the assessment as the original mark can be taken as the resit mark. Further information and examples can be found in the Policy and associated Guidance documents.

For work submitted more than 10 days late, it is regarded as a non-submission and need not be marked. In this case a mark of zero will be awarded and normal resit regulations will apply.

The sliding scale should only be applied to first-sit submissions. For all referred (resit) assessment, any late submission will automatically receive a mark of zero.

For further information:

Guidance on Late Submission

Policy on the Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes

Academic Malpractice

Academic malpractice is any activity – intentional or otherwise – that is likely to undermine the integrity essential to scholarship and research. It includes plagiarism, collusion, fabrication or falsification of results, and anything else that could result in unearned or undeserved credit for those committing it. Academic malpractice can result from a deliberate act of cheating or may be committed unintentionally. Whether intended or not, all incidents of academic malpractice will be treated seriously by the University.

Guidance on academic malpractice and how to avoid it

The procedures and penalties for dealing with academic malpractice are covered by the same regulation as apply to Conduct and Disciple of Students (Regulation XVII).

You are responsible for ensuring that you understand what academic malpractice is, and how to avoid committing it. If you are unsure, ask your lecturer or academic advisor.

As further support for students, the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health has developed an Introductory Course. This unit must be completed by all postgraduate taught students and will allow you to test your understanding of what constitutes plagiarism and academic malpractice. You can access the resource via Blackboard. Log in to My Manchester and click on the Blackboard tab. The online resource will be listed under the My Communities heading. The module should be completed as soon as possible after you begin your programmes, but must be completed before you submit your first piece of academic work for assessment.

Feedback for Assessments

The purpose of feedback is to provide constructive comments so that you can improve the standard of your work. Thus, in addition to marks you will receive written feedback on most of your assessed coursework.

Marks awarded for your assessments (i.e. everything which contributes to your final degree classification) are subject to ratification by the examination board and the external examiner at the awarding examination meeting. Consequently all marks given before the final examiners’ meeting has taken place must be regarded as provisional. Shortly after the examinations meetings we will publish results and a breakdown of your marks. These will remain provisional until after the final examination board has met.

The marking process involves several steps to ensure appropriate academic consideration and quality assurance processes have been adhered to. Students will be notified by email once the work has been marked and grades are available. We will endeavour to mark work and give feedback to students 15 working days after the hand-in date. However, occasionally there may be delays as a result of staff illness or other unforeseeable factors. In these circumstances, you will be kept informed of this.

The University Policy on Feedback to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Students

A video message explaining the university feedback policy is available in the community space on Blackboard. It is recommended that you watch this message for information and suggestions on how to best utilise the feedback you are given throughout your course.

Following graduation you may obtain a detailed official written account of all your examination results (called a transcript) from the Student Services Centre on payment of a small fee. This carries the University stamp and is recognised for such purposes as admission to a further course of study at another institution, membership of professional bodies, exemption from sections of professional examinations etc. If you need an official transcript, contact the SSC on 0161 275 5000.

Unofficial transcripts can be provided by the Assessments Team.

How To Find Your Marks

Once work has been marked and moderated you will receive an email from the Assessment Team to tell you that the marks have been released. Work submitted via Blackboard will usually show a mark along with feedback on the Blackboard system.

You can also access marks by logging into your My Manchester account and going to My Services/Self Service and Student Centre. You can choose ‘Assignments’ from the drop-down box and choose the relevant unit. Your Final mark for the unit does not appear until the unit is fully completed and marks have been through an exam board.

Student Representation and Feedback

 

Election of Student Representative

At the beginning of the year you will be asked to elect a student representative. The student representative will be invited to attend the Programme Committees for parts of the meeting that do not involve discussion of individual students and the assessments. The student representative should make students’ views known to the programme management. In addition, they should report any relevant information back to the students.

 

Feedback from/to students

The University has a Policy on Feedback to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Students in relation to the timely provision of feedback for academic progression.

Students will also have the opportunity to feedback their thoughts on the programme via a series of anonymous evaluation forms. Student feedback questionnaires will be made available via the Module Leads at the end of each module. The information will then be collated to assess the performance level of the programme. It is expected that every student will complete these forms. These feedback questionnaires are produced by the programme and allow students to comment on specific aspects of the organisation and delivery of the taught modules. The information obtained is collated and discussed during the next Programme Committee meeting. The quality of teaching on the programme is monitored in part by student feedback. Thus it is very important that you make your views, good and bad, known.

At the end of each semester, you will be asked to complete an anonymous University generated online evaluation form. This is known as a Unit Survey and will address more general issues with the information obtained being used to inform the teaching strategy of the Faculty/University. You will also receive a Postgraduate Taught Unit Survey form at the end of the semester. Again all students are expected to complete these surveys.

University Regulations

Postgraduate Degree Regulations

The University Postgraduate degree regulations can be found online:

Postgraduate Degree Regulations

In order to progress to the dissertation/research project you must have satisfactorily achieved the relevant pass mark in taught course units, including by use of resit and/or compensation as outlined in the degree regulations, in order to continue to this element of the programme.

A video explaining the degree regulations can be found in the community space on Blackboard.

Student Support and Guidance

Student Support and Guidance

Academic Appeals, Complaints, Conduct and Discipline

Academic Appeals

Academic Appeals are a way of asking the University to review a recent decision taken by an Examination Board or equivalent body, which affects a student’s progression or status (e.g. where a student is excluded from the University, or transferred to a programme for a lower qualification). However, appeals cannot be made simply on the basis of disagreeing with a mark, or as a challenge to academic judgement. They must instead be based on one of the grounds for appeal detailed in Regulation XIX Academic Appeals.

Full details are available here.

The purpose of this regulation is to safeguard the interests of students and may only be used when there are adequate grounds for doing so which are outlined in the regulation. It may not be used simply because you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your assessment or other decision concerning your academic progress.

An appeal which questions the academic or professional judgement of those charged with the responsibility for assessing a student’s academic performance of professional competence shall not be permitted. This means that you may not challenge marks or grades awarded unless you believe that they may have been affected by factors under i-iv below.

The accepted grounds for appeal are as follows:

(i)       Circumstances affecting your performance of which, for a credible and compelling reason, the Examination Board or equivalent body may not have been aware when the decision was taken, and which may have had a material effect on the decision. Note: if students wish to appeal on such grounds, they must give credible and compelling reasons with supporting documentation explaining why this information was not made available prior to the decision being made.

(ii)         An administrative error or procedural irregularity in the assessment process or in putting into effect the regulations for the programme of study such as to cause significant doubt as to whether the decision might have been different if the error or irregularity had not occurred.

(iii)        Evidence of prejudice or bias or lack of proper assessment on the part of one or more of the examiners.

(iv)        The supervision or training in respect of research for a dissertation or thesis or equivalent work was unsatisfactory to the point that your performance was seriously affected.

Appeals based upon provisional decisions of the School cannot be considered. This means that you will not be able to submit an appeal until after examination boards have taken place and the results have been released. All recommendations for mitigating circumstances must be approved by the Board of Examiners.

In the first instance, students should submit an informal appeal directly to the school to see if an informal resolution can be reached. Students can do this by emailing their appeal to sbs.appealsandconduct@manchester.ac.uk with any evidence provided as email attachments. The specifics of the appeal can be outlined in the email. The email should provide the following information:

• An explanation of the mitigating circumstances and the impact that this had on your academic performance - you have provided this.
• Evidence to support the mitigating circumstances - if you have any further evidence, please send it through.
• An explanation (ideally supported by evidence) as to why you were not able to make the school aware of these circumstances earlier (e.g. by applying for mitigating circumstances).

Should an informal appeal be rejected, you will then have the right to submit a formal appeal to the Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health Appeals, Complaints and Discipline Team within 20 working days of the date you are notified of the outcome of your informal appeal. This route should not be pursued until an informal appeal has been considered first.

Please be aware that if you submit a formal appeal without having submitted an informal appeal first, there is no other channel for submitting a further appeal within the university.

Please note you can only appeal on your own behalf. If you want a representative (e.g. a parent) to appeal for you, you must send a letter (or email) with your appeal explaining that you have given them permission to act on your behalf. Students can contact the Students’ Union Advice Centre for assistance in drafting an appeal.

For further information on submitting an appeal, please contact appeals.sbs@manchester.ac.uk

Student Complaints

The University’s Student Complaints Procedure (Regulation XVIII) and associated documents, including a complaints form, can be found at Regulations | Academic-related regulations | Regulation XVIII: Student Complaints Procedure | The University of Manchester

The University has separate procedures to address complaints of bullying, harassment, discrimination and/or victimisation - see https://www.reportandsupport.manchester.ac.uk/ Students thinking of submitting a formal complaint should, in most instances, attempt informal resolution first (see the procedure). Formal complaints should be submitted on the relevant form to Faculty Appeals and Complaints Team electronically by e-mail: FBMHappealsandcomplaints@manchester.ac.uk.

Conduct and Discipline of Students

General University information on the conduct and discipline of students can be found at https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/tlso/academic-appeals-complaints-and- misconduct/

Faculty policies for students on communication and dress code, social networking. and drugs and alcohol can be found at:

• http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29038 (Communication and Dress Code)
• http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29039 (Drugs and Alcohol)
• http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29040 (Social Networking)

Information on Academic Malpractice and how to avoid it can be found at http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/guidance-to-students-on-plagiarism-and- other-forms-of-academic-malpractice/

In accordance with the Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes, ‘All typed summative assessment, including dissertations, should be submitted online and subjected to plagiarism detection software, where appropriate’.

The University Library has produced online resources to help students in avoiding plagiarism and academic malpractice at: https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/using-the-library/students/training-and-skills-support/my- learning-essentials/online-resources/

An Introduction to Referencing and Avoiding Plagiarism is provided by the Student Guidance Service at: An Introduction to Referencing and Avoiding Plagiarism (Student Guidance Service)

The Student Support website provides guidance on Good Study Skills at: https://www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/study-support/goodstudyskills/

The Student Support website also provides guidance on avoiding academic malpractice: https://www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/study-support/academic-support/assessments-and-exams/avoiding-academic-malpractice/ 

Students thinking of submitting a formal complaint should, in most instances, attempt informal resolution first. Students can submit complaints to the Head of Teaching, Learning & Student Experience, Kerry Mycock (kerry.mycock@manchester.ac.uk), for the School to respond to.

Mitigating Circumstances: Requesting Extensions and/or Mitigation for Adverse Events Impacting on Your Studies

During your studies, you may experience unforeseeable and unpreventable significant events which negatively affect your ability to submit work and assessments or perform to your usual standard in an assessment of any type. The University’s Policy on Mitigating Circumstances outlines the processes in place to reduce the negative effects of these situations on academic outcomes.

There are two ways that these circumstances can be considered; Extensions for coursework submissions and Mitigation for coursework/assessments and exams.

Extensions to Coursework/Assessment Submissions

If, because of illness or other mitigating factors, you wish to seek an extension to a deadline for submitting written coursework for a course unit or a tutorial assignment, you must submit an Assessed Coursework Extension Request form.

The application for extension must be made BY 10:00am TWO DAYS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE DEADLINE.  For example, if the deadline is at 4pm on Thursday, the extension request must be submitted before 10am on the Tuesday of that week.  If the deadline is on a Monday, the extension request MUST be submitted by 10am on the Thursday before the deadline.

If a student is eligible for a DASS Automatic Extension, they should apply, at the latest, TWO DAYS BEFORE THE DASS DEADLINE.

We will not consider late applications.  If a student misses the deadline to apply for an extension, we recommend they apply for mitigating circumstances (see below).

Students will normally be granted a maximum of 5 additional working days (in addition to any DASS automatic extension that a student may be entitled to).

If a student requires additional time, they are recommended to apply for mitigating circumstances – see below.

Applications for extensions must be submitted online using the link communicated to students each semester.  Students will be sent regular email communications which will include information on how to apply – including a link to the online form.- Applications not completed via the provided online link, will not be accepted.

Extension requests will only apply to assessed written work, for example, coursework essays, and do not apply to the following:

• Group/teamwork
• Presentations
• Formative coursework
• Assessments limited by logistical constraints e.g., assessments to be completed whilst on a field trip; short recurring deadlines - where assessments are to be submitted weekly for a particular unit; continuous ongoing course work - portfolios; or where feedback needs to be provided to students before the extension end date
• Practical/skills-based work
• Take home timed written examinations.

Students are not required to provide supporting evidence for extension requests (unless they wish to provide this).  The application will be assessed based on whether a student has fully demonstrated the impact of the incident/issue on their ability to submit the written piece of work within the original deadline.

Reasons for requesting and granting an extension may include (but not limited to):

• Technology/IT issues – broken laptop, Wi-Fi issues etc.
• Physical ill health – Covid, sickness, injury etc.
• Mental ill health – anxiety, stress etc.
• Disability (whether the student is registered with DASS or not)
• Domestic/family crisis - bereavement, illness, relationship breakdown, caring responsibilities, maternity/paternity/adoption leave
• Personal crisis – accommodation issues, theft, assault, financial difficulties
• Jury Service.

Extension requests that fall within the following categories would not normally be granted:

• Planned/anticipated events - moving house, holidays etc. (anything that could be reasonably expected)
• Assessments that are scheduled close together – unless impacting on health/wellbeing
• Misreading assessment timetable
• Inadequate planning or time management
• Act of religious observance
• Consequences of paid employment (except in exceptional circumstances, i.e. if related to family/financial crises).

You must not assume that an extension has been approved until you receive written (e.g. email) confirmation. You should receive this confirmation prior to the original deadline.

Mitigating Circumstances

Sometimes circumstances or events beyond your control may adversely affect your ability to perform in an examination or assessment to your full potential. The University defines mitigating circumstances as ‘unforeseeable or unpreventable circumstances that could have, or did have, a significant adverse effect on the academic performance of a student’.  

Possible mitigating circumstances include:

• significant illness or injury; or worsening of an ongoing illness or disability, including mental health conditions (please see the DASS website for examples of disabilities);
• personal issues such as the death or critical/significant illness of a close family member/dependent; significant family or personal crises or major financial problems leading to acute stress;
• some IT-related issues such as a network or hardware fault at the point of submission; and
• absence from the University for public service, for example, jury service.

Events that will NOT normally be regarded as grounds for mitigation include (but are not limited to):

Personal issues: 

• holidays, moving house and events that were planned or could reasonably have been expected.
• loss or theft of a computer or printer that prevents submission of work on time.  Students should back up work regularly and not leave completion so late that they cannot find another computer or printer.
• the act of religious observance.
• consequences of paid employment (except in some special cases for part-time students)

Time management or organization/administrative issues:

• assessments that are scheduled close together.
• misreading the timetable or misunderstanding the requirements for assessments.
• inadequate planning and time management.
• students who commence their studies later than the expected start date who have missed a portion of teaching/learning.

Issues during exams:

• exam stress or panic attacks not diagnosed as illness or supported by medical evidence.
• disruption in an examination room during the course of an assessment which has not been brought to the attention of, or recorded by, the invigilators (including instances such as fire alarms or other noise disruption).

You should include any evidence that supports your request, such as:

• Extracts from your medical notes (you can request these from your GP practice)
• Copy of prescription or photo of name label on prescribed medication
• Photo of labelled positive COVID-19 test result (if available)
• Appointment cards from medical unit or hospital admissions letter
• Confirmation text of medical appointment
• Communications from a school or care facility confirming that they are closed or the person you care for is unable to attend
• An obituary or letter from a family member, in the case of bereavement
• Police, security or insurance report
• Press or media report
• Internal confirmation of existing engagement with our counselling / Advice and Response service

For medical conditions we do not require a specific letter from your GP or healthcare provider, and in cases of bereavement we do not require a death certificate. However, you can still include either of these as supporting evidence if you wish.

If you are registered with DASS, they will confirm with your School directly - you do not have to seek this evidence from them.

Please note some third-party providers can take several weeks to provide you with supporting evidence, so it is important to organise this as soon as possible.  If your evidence will not be available until after the deadline, you must ensure your application is submitted on time and notify sbs.mitcircs@manchester.ac.uk when they can expect to receive the evidence.

If due to an emergency you have attended a hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department, you must obtain written confirmation of attendance either from the hospital or subsequently from your GP confirming your attendance and stating the nature of the emergency.

If the information is of a highly confidential nature, you may submit your evidence in a sealed envelope to the SBS Student Hub, marked for the attention of the Chair of the Mitigating Circumstances Committee.

Coursework and other assessment deadlines for submitting your mitigating circumstances application and supporting evidence

Coursework and other assessments completed during the Semester:

Applications must be submitted within 5 working days of the assessment deadline.  For example, an application for an assessment with a deadline of 4pm on Thursday must be submitted by no later than 4pm on Thursday of the following week.

Requests for mitigation submitted after the deadline dates cannot be considered. Students would need to go through the appeals process and provide a credible and compelling explanation as to why the circumstances were not known or could not have been shown beforehand.

Applications for mitigating circumstances must be submitted online using the link communicated to students each semester.  Students will be sent regular email communications which will include information on how to apply – including a link to the online form. Applications not completed via the provided online link, will not be accepted.

Please be aware, mitigation will NOT result in the changing of any marks, unless penalties for late submission are waived after an assignment has already been marked.

Absence from examinations due to ill health 

You should make every effort to participate in all examinations. It will not be possible to make special arrangements to take the exams in an alternative location, unless this has been arranged through the Disability Advisory Support Service.

If you are so ill you are unable to take an exam, you must contact the SBS Hub – email sbs.hub@manchester.ac.uk or telephone 0161 275 1387 as soon as possible, and certainly no later than the day and start time of your examination. You should complete a Mitigating Circumstances application which must be accompanied by appropriate independent third-party supporting evidence.  Further guidance on the type of evidence you might include is available here.

Please note some third-party providers can take several weeks to provide you with supporting evidence, so it is important to organise this as soon as possible. If your evidence will not be available until after the deadline, you must ensure your application is submitted on time and notify sbs.mitcircs@manchester.ac.uk when they can expect to receive the evidence.

If the information is of a highly confidential nature, you may submit your evidence in a sealed envelope, marked for the attention of the Chair of the Mitigating Circumstances Committee. If due to an emergency you have attended a hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department, you must obtain written confirmation of attendance either from the hospital or subsequently from your GP confirming your attendance and stating the nature of the emergency.

Illness not resulting in absence from examinations 

You may be unwell but able to proceed with an examination but feel that your performance will have been impaired. If you wish this to be taken into account, you must follow the same procedures as stated in the earlier Section Absence from Examinations due to Ill Health by applying for mitigation. Note that exam stress or panic attacks not diagnosed as illness or supported by medical evidence, would not normally be considered a mitigating circumstance. If you anticipate or experience any of these issues, you are strongly encouraged to contact your GP, the Counselling & Mental Health Service (see Section Counselling) or the Disability Advisory Support Service (DASS).

Interruptions/Withdrawals

Interruptions

It is the expectation of the University that postgraduate taught students pursue their studies on a continuous basis for the stipulated duration of their programme. However, it is recognised that students may encounter personal difficulties or situations which may seriously disrupt or delay their studies. In some cases, an interruption or extension to your programme of study may be the most sensible option. Students who wish to interrupt the programme or extend to write up the dissertation should initially discuss their plans and reasons with the Programme Director. Students should also provide documentary evidence when appropriate, for example, doctor’s letter, sick note etc. An application must be submitted to the Programme Director who will either support or reject the request. The form will then be submitted for consideration to the School Interruptions Panel who will make the final decision. The forms required for formal application are available from your Study Advisor.

Withdrawals

Students who are considering withdrawing from the programme should discuss this either with the Programme Director and, if in their dissertation year, with their research supervisor, and make the application by formal letter. Students may liaise directly with the Programme Administrator who will communicate this information directly to the Fees and Records Departments of the University.

Counselling Service

The counselling service is available for all students. It is free and consists of a team of professional counsellors. The service provides confidential counselling for anyone who wants help with personal problems affecting their work or well-being.

The service is open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday all year round except public holidays.

Counselling Service

Fitness to Practise

Postgraduate students at The University of Manchester who are qualified health or social care professionals (e.g. doctor, dentist, nurse, social worker) registered by a healthcare or social care regulatory body (e.g. General Medical Council, General Dental Council, Nursing & Midwifery Council, Social Care Council) are expected to behave at all times in a way that is consistent with the recommendations or code of practice of the relevant professional regulatory body.

Postgraduate students need to be aware that in the event of misconduct, dishonesty, unprofessional behaviour, or other behaviour or illness (e.g. mental health illness) that raises the possibility that the student’s fitness to practise may be impaired; the University has a duty to protect the public and to inform the relevant professional regulatory body. This means, for example, that where a student has been found to be dishonest (e.g. plagiarism, collusion, falsification of research data or other forms of cheating) the matter may be reported by the University to the relevant professional regulatory body.

Students who are dishonest not only risk failing to be awarded the intended degree, but also place at risk their whole professional career.

Further information on Fitness to Practise related matters can be found online:

Fitness to practise

Disability Advisory and Support Service

The University of Manchester welcomes students with a disability or specific learning difficulties. The University has a Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS), who can supply further information, and staff will be pleased to meet you, by prior arrangement, to discuss your needs. Staff will liaise with your School to make the necessary arrangements for your support during your time in Manchester. The office can also provide a copy of the University's Disability Statement, 'Opportunities for Students with Additional Support Needs at the University of Manchester' which sets out the policy and provision for students with a disability.

DASS is located on the 2nd Floor of University Place (see Campus Map)

• Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk
• Phone 0161 275 7512; Text 07899 658 790 (only for d/Deaf students);
• Website: http://www.dso.manchester.ac.uk/
• DASS are open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday

You can also email the school at sbs.dc@manchester.ac.uk for any advice relating to DASS requirements.

Please be aware that if you were an undergraduate student at the University of Manchester you will need to register with DASS again as a postgraduate student.

Students Union Advice Centre

The Students Union has advisors who can help with any matter ranging from finances to housing and beyond.

Manchester Students' Union

University Careers Service

As a postgraduate the demands on your time can seem overwhelming. The University careers service can make your life easier by offering a range of services designed to help you. Advice and support for Postgraduates include:

• Help with CVs and applications, practice interviews and psychometric tests
• Drop in quick query advice service
• Personal Career consultations targeted to your needs
• A range of postgraduate employability training opportunities
• 24-hour access to up to date information, advice, vacancies and details of forthcoming events, including a specifically designed section for postgraduates available through our website: www.manchester.ac.uk/careers
• Information on Job opportunities and vacancies through our fortnightly vacancy paper bulletins

The University of Manchester Careers Service

Monitoring attendance and wellbeing of students

In order to monitor their progress, students will have regular, scheduled meetings with their academic advisor. Progress forms should be completed at these meetings. These meetings are in addition to the research project supervisory meetings between the student and supervisor, of which there should be a minimum of 10 per academic year.

Students are required to attend ALL lectures.

Attendance monitoring will take place during ALL sessions. It is your responsibility to make sure you have signed the register. Postgraduates are also expected to sit ALL examinations and coursework tests for their degree programme and to submit ALL coursework assignments by the deadline specified. Any queries about attendance should be sent to sbs.attendance@manchester.ac.uk.

Attendance is monitored in conjunction with Regulation XX – Work and Attendance of Students.

Absences supported by medical or other appropriate information will not normally be counted towards the assessment of unsatisfactory attendance. Any absences must be supported by a Mitigating Circumstances Form and supporting evidence.

A-Z of Student Services

The A-Z of Services can be found on the My Manchester website or here.

Here you can find more information on a wide range of topics such as library services, disability support and careers advice.

IT Services Support Centre online

Details of what IT support is available and how to access it can be found on the FBMH eLearning Support page.

Login to the Support Centre online to log a request, book an appointment for an IT visit, or search the Knowledge Base.

Telephone: +44 (0)161 306 5544 (or extension 65544). Telephone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In person: Walk-up help and support is available at the Joule Library, Main Library or Alan Gilbert Learning Commons:

Use Support Centre online for support with eLearning, from where you may make a request, or search the Knowledge Base.

For IT and eLearning support visit: https://elearning.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/student/technical-support/

Blackboard

Blackboard, the University's 'virtual learning environment', will be used for online teaching.

What is Blackboard?

Blackboard is a web-based system that complements and builds upon traditional learning methods used at The University of Manchester. By using Blackboard you can

• view course materials and learning resources,
• communicate with lectures and other students,
• collaborate in groups,
• get feedback,
• submit assignments,
• monitor your own progress at a time and place of your own convenience.

Training in the use of software

The Faculty eLearning team have produced a short introduction to Blackboard for new students. The recording is hosted in two places: the Video Portal and on YouTube:

• Video Portal
• https://youtu.be/47pA877MKJg

The recording is just over seven minutes long and covers most of the commonly used tools in Blackboard.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI tools have the potential to enhance learning, and can support inclusivity and accessibility when used appropriately. It is important that you understand the potential risks and benefits of these tools if you plan to use them during your studies.

You may use AI tools like any other resource to help you generate ideas, key themes, and plan your assessment, and you may also cite or quote content generated by AI systems. However, passing off work generated by AI as your own is plagiarism, and will be treated as seriously as plagiarism of another person.

Some Course Units or assignments may vary this position. In these cases you will be given detailed instructions on what is and isn’t allowed, and may be asked to sign a code of conduct. If you are unclear about what is permissible, contact the course unit lead.

For more detail on the University’s position on the use of AI in teaching and learning, see Artificial Intelligence (AI) Teaching Guidance.

For advice on how to acknowledge and cite content generated by AI see https://manchester-uk.libanswers.com/teaching-and-learning/faq/264824

Religious Observance

The University supports a wide range of religions and will make every effort to support students in observing their religious beliefs.

For centrally timetabled examinations, key dates are to be noted in terms of formally notifying the University on dates in which undertaking assessment will be affected by religious observance. Please contact the Student Support Team with details of any assessments and teaching that may be affected.

Centrally timetabled exams and religious observance

Religious Observance and Looking after yourself and your patients during Ramadan

Policy on Religious Observance:

• University Policy
• The Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health has produced guidance for healthcare students on fasting and caring: Fasting and Caring - Looking after yourself and your patients during Ramadan: guidance for health care students.

University Proofreading Statement

If a student chooses to approach another person to proofread their written work or seeks to use the services of a proofreading service or agency, they must take account of the following principles:

• it is the responsibility of students to ensure that all work submitted is their own, and that it represents their own abilities and understanding. Any proofreading of work that is undertaken by a third party must not compromise the student’s own authorship of the work;
• proofreading undertaken by a third party must not take the form of editing of text, such as the adding or rewriting of phrases or passages within a piece of student’s work;
• proofreading undertaken by a third party must not change the content or meaning of the work in any way.