University Rules - what you need to know
When you matriculate at University you sign up to abide by its rules. There’s lots that don’t really concern you, but some major ones that you need to be aware of from day 1. Here are the major ones and there is more detail of them in the Student Survival Guide. Also, be aware of ISAS – for a confidential one-to-one appointment with a professional adviser who can discuss your case and the options available to you.
Programme Handbook:
You should get one of these at the start of the programme. It details what the programme covers, how and when it will be assessed, how it will be taught, main course requirements and so on. It’s the nearest thing you ever get to a learning contract and so it’s an important document. Get one and hold onto it. Your programme should not deviate significantly from what it says in the handbook – if it does and you don’t like it, see your programme rep or NSA. If your class hasn’t got a programme handbook, contact NSA on 229-8791.
Changing Course:
Maybe you chose the wrong course or the course is not going to give you what you want for the career you intend to go into. Sometimes you only find this out after you’ve started. The good news is that you can switch, but the window of opportunity for this is tight. Make your mind up time is around 4 weeks before it affects your fee and funding entitlements. You have until the end of November to inform the University formally that you are withdrawing, switching or re-starting next semester or next year.
Conduct:
No-one likes to be treated badly, and it is expected that students and staff will all treat other with basic respect and dignity. The University has a harassment and bullying procedure that exists to protect students and staff from unwanted attention and bullying behaviour. The procedure applies to everyone at the University. It relates to staff behaviour with students and other staff and to students’ behaviour towards staff and other students. So if you feel harassed or bullied, you can use the procedure to try and sort things out, just as other people can use the procedure if they see you as the source of the problem.
Contact ISAS
You can make an appointment by telephoning 229 8791 or send an e-mail with your enquiry. We will aim to see you as soon as possible and within three working days during term-time.
You can also check out the Student Survival Guide for more advice. Pick up a copy from NSA at 12 Merchiston Place.
