Engagement

What we expect from you

Academic Engagement requirements for International students on a Student Route visa* or Tier 4 visa

FAQs

• Is there a University Attendance Policy?

  In 2020/2,1 in response to COVID-19, Middlesex University has adopted a blended learning approach of online and on-campus teaching and learning.  As a consequence, the Attendance Policy have been temporarily suspended and new Engagement principles have been approved to support you in this new environment.

• Can I check-in to my class using the Attendance App via MDXapp?

  In September 2019 we launched an exciting new way to register your on-campus attendance by checking in to your timetabled learning session via the MDXapp Attendance App.

  In 2020/21, in response to COVID-19, Middlesex University has adopted a blended learning approach of online and on-campus teaching and learning.  As a consequence, the Attendance App and Attendance Policy have been temporarily suspended and new Engagement principles have been approved to support you in this new environment.

  We plan to resume Attendance Monitoring for the 2021/22 Academic Year, subject to a decision to be made in May 2021.

• Why is it important to engage with my studies?

  Evidence suggests that academic success correlates with full engagement with timetabled teaching sessions and also with access to course-related learning resources and support materials, held within the Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle/My Learning).

  If you are studying on a Student Route visa* or a Tier 4 visa and in the UK, you are expected and encouraged to attend all your on-campus timetabled learning sessions to make the most of your study experience at Middlesex University.

  If you are in receipt of a Student Loan Company (SLC) Tuition Fee loan and/or Maintenance loan you are required to remain enrolled throughout the academic year of your Programme to continue to receive SLC funding.  You are required to engage fully with your studies to remain enrolled.

• How is my engagement with my studies monitored?

  Your Programme Teams will monitor your engagement using online and on-campus activity aimed at identifying any issues and difficulties at an early stage and supporting your return to full engagement with your Programme.

• How will I be informed of concerns about my engagement with my programme?

  As a student at Middlesex you are responsible for attending your timetabled learning sessions, participating in learning activities and engaging with online learning materials.

  We recognise that during your studies you may face various challenges, both personal and academic. University is supposed to provide a challenge for you, so this is completely normal and something that everyone goes through.

  If these challenges are stopping you from engaging with your programme then seek support early by contacting your Programme Teams and our Support and Wellbeing Teams.

  If you can, be proactive and seek help. If your Programme Teams notice that you are missing classes or engaging in the online materials less frequently, then they will be in touch to provide support. We strongly encourage you to use all the support that the University has to offer, so that you can be successful in your studies.

• Am I required to come to campus to attend a timetabled learning session?

  If you have on-campus sessions in your timetable we want to reassure you that attendance at on-campus sessions is highly recommended, but not compulsory.

  If you are planning to attend an on-campus timetabled session and you have concerns about a personal characteristic or condition that may increase your vulnerability to COVID-19, please complete the risk assessment form to check whether it is advisable for you to come to campus.

  We understand you may not be able to access on-campus timetabled sessions for various reasons. This may include, because you are studying in a different country, have symptoms of Covid-19 or are shielding because you or someone you live with are vulnerable.

  You are responsible for letting your Programme Leader, Module Leader or Personal Tutor know if you are going to be absent from a live timetabled session (whether on-campus or online), for whatever reason.

• I am an International student on a Student Route visa* or Tier 4 visa and in the UK. Am I required to come to campus to attend a timetabled learning session?

  If you are an international student studying on a Student Route visa* or Tier 4 visaand in the UK, you are:

  • Required to notify the Student Visa Compliance Team [SVCT@mdx.c.uk] of your arrival in the UK
  • Expected and encouraged to attend your on-campus timetabled learning sessions if you are in the UK
  • Required to sign-in (from 19 October 2020) at the Reception desk in the College Building every day you attend an on-campus timetabled learning session if you are in the UK
  • Required to contact your Programme Leader, Module Leader or Personal Tutor and let them know you are going to be absent from a live timetabled session (whether on-campus or online), for whatever reason, including COVID-19 (illness or travel restrictions) if you are studying from overseas or in the UK

  If you are unable to attend an on-campus timetabled learning session or engage with online learning due to COVID-19 (illness or travel restrictions) you will be exempt from the engagement and attendance requirements and will be supported by the University.

  If you are planning to attend an on-campus timetabled session and you have concerns about a personal characteristic or condition that may increase your vulnerability to COVID-19, please complete the risk assessment form to check whether it is advisable for you to come to campus.

• I am an international student studying from overseas and planning to come to the UK on a Student Route visa* or Tier 4 visa in the near future. Am I required to come to campus to attend a timetabled learning session?

  If you are an international student studying overseas and planning to come to the UK on a Student Route* visa or Tier 4 visa in the near future, you are:

  • Not required to attend on-campus timetabled sessions until you are in the UK
  • Required to notify the Student Visa Compliance Team [SVCT@mdx.c.uk] of your intension to travel to the UK

  When you do arrive in the UK and plan to attend an on-campus timetabled session and you have concerns about a personal characteristic or condition that may increase your vulnerability to COVID-19, please complete the risk assessment form to check whether it is advisable for you to come to campus.

• I am unable to attend an online or on-campus timetabled learning session?

  You are responsible for letting your Programme Leader, Module Leader or Personal Tutor know if you are going to be absent from a live timetabled session (whether on-campus or online), for whatever reason.

• I am an international student studying on a Student Route visa* or Tier 4 visa, or studying from overseas and planning to come to the UK, and I am unable to attend an online or on-campus timetabled learning session?

  You are responsible for letting your Programme Leader, Module Leader or Personal Tutor know if you are going to be absent from a live timetabled session (whether on-campus or online), for whatever reason.

  If you are unable to attend an on-campus timetabled learning session or engage with online learning due to COVID-19 (illness or travel restrictions) you will be exempt from the engagement and attendance requirements and will be supported by the University.

  If you are in the UK and are planning to attend an on-campus timetabled session and you have concerns about a personal characteristic or condition that may increase your vulnerability to COVID-19, please complete the risk assessment form to check whether it is advisable for you to come to campus.

• My online or on-campus timetabled learning session has been cancelled. Will I be recorded as absent?

  Your Programme Teams will keep you up to date via My Learning with any timetabled activities which have not been able to take place (or partly take place) due to staff absence or technical difficulties. If practical you will be contacted before the timetable session.

  Your Programme Teams will make a note that the timetabled learning session was cancelled. Single incidences of a missed class will not raise a concern about your engagement with your Programme.

• Engagement data and GDPR

  Engagement data is collected and used in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regulation on data protection