Student engagement FAQs

We want to ensure that all our students are able to get the support they need, when they need it. We ask you to swipe into all of your timetabled teaching with your student ID card so that we know you are engaging with your studies, and so that we can reach out to you to check you are okay and offer support if you have missed your classes.

If you are an international student studying in the UK on a Student Route visa sponsored by the University, we have an obligation as a sponsor licence holder to monitor your attendance and engagement to ensure you engage fully in all aspects of your programme of study.

Your school will regularly review data on all aspects of your engagement with your studies. This includes your attendance at timetabled teaching and in-person assessments, your use of Blackboard, and submission of coursework and online assessments. If your engagement with any aspect of your studies causes concern, they will reach out to you to check you are okay and offer support.

To record your attendance at timetabled teaching events, hold your student ID card against the card readers installed inside the teaching space until the card reader turns green. Try to remember to swipe in as soon as you arrive at your class - you can swipe in up to 15 minutes before the start time of a teaching event.

Your school will not mark you present after a teaching event has taken place if you forgot to swipe in or forgot your card, as your overall pattern of attendance and engagement is what’s most important.

If you occasionally forget to swipe into a class or forget to bring your student ID card with you, don’t worry – just try to remember next time. Your school will regularly review your overall pattern of attendance and will look for any patterns of concern, rather than occasional events where you didn’t swipe in.

Your attendance record will only be updated after a teaching event to authorise your absence if you have provided relevant information. Your school will not mark you present after a teaching event has taken place if you forgot to swipe in or forgot your card, as your overall pattern of attendance and engagement is what’s most important.

If you’ve lost your student ID card you'll need to request a replacement. You can do this by visiting the Information Hub at the David Wilson Library or emailing studentservices@le.ac.uk. There is no charge for a replacement card.

If your student ID card isn’t working, visit the Information Hub at the David Wilson Library to get the issue resolved. They may need to issue you with a replacement card.

We understand that you may require occasional absences from your studies because you are ill or for personal or religious reasons. It’s really important that you contact your school administrative team or your personal tutor about requesting time away from your studies. Find more information on authorised absences.

If your circumstances will require an extended period away you may wish to consider suspending your studies.

No, you mustn’t give your ID card to anyone else to scan on your behalf, and you mustn’t scan the ID card of any other student if they ask you to. You must only scan your ID card in teaching events you attend. You mustn’t swipe in before the class and then leave. Doing so would be against the University’s regulations.

We ask you to swipe into all of your timetabled teaching so that we know you are engaging with your studies, and so that we can reach out to you to check you are okay and offer support if you have missed your classes. If other students swipe in for you or you swipe in for them, we can’t provide support to students when they need it. Incorrect attendance information can also be a health and safety risk in the event of an incident in a building.

If you are an international student studying in the UK on a Student Route visa sponsored by the University and you are found to have swiped in for another student, or to have been swiped in by someone else, or to have swiped in and then left the class, you risk having your visa sponsorship withdrawn.

No, students are expected to remain in the UK and living close to Leicester during term-time including during dissertation periods. If you are studying on a Sponsored Student visa you are not permitted to study remotely so requests to study overseas will normally be refused or result in your sponsorship being withdrawn.

Attending your timetabled events is important, but your wellbeing is important to us too. Further help and support is available from staff in your school and our student support teams.

Browse more information on a range of services and resources to promote the continued health, wellbeing and success of our students.

The AccessAbility Centre offers support and advice for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties as well as working with students who have sensory disabilities, mobility difficulties, mental health conditions and autism.

You may wish to talk to one of your peers in the Students' Union who are also available for support and confidential, impartial advice.