Advice

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Have a look at our frequently asked questions on Academic issues for fast answers to common queries with links to more in depth information if needed. Simply click on the question to see an answer.

To go straight to our detailed information please go to the bottom of the page for links to our leaflets, or drop us an email or make a call, if you have not found an answer to your specific question.

You may find that once you start your course, it is not really what you expected. You might not have settled in Sheffield, or there may be other problems

Talk to your tutor about the problems you are having, as they may be able to help. Or make an appointment with the education guidance team, who will explore what’s wrong and consider your options. Working out what the problem is will help you decide what to do next.

To book an anppointment with education guidance, contact them on 0114 225 3813, or pop into Student and Learning Services, In Level 5, Owen Building (City Campus) or Heart of the campus ( Collegiate Site).

Think it through fully before you take any action. If you are thinking of leaving due to problems not directly related to your course (eg illness, homesickness, or financial problems) you should contact the Advice Centre to explore the possibility of other solutions. If the problem is directly with the course you should discuss this with your tutor initially to see if the issues can be resolved. If you want to discuss other course options you should contact the Education Guidance team in Student Learning Services on 0114 225 3813.

If you do decide to leave your course you should visit us for advice about the implications for your student funding, housing contract, and future funding if you were to do another course later on. Once you have considered all of this and still want to leave you should contact your Faculty to ask how to formally withdraw and you must also inform Student Finance England and the Student Loans Company.

If you have 100 credits, but wish to explore other full-time study options, you may be apply to do another course in the University. Your transfer to another course will not automatically be accepted. You must apply using the University Application Form, citing an academic referee from your original course.

If you apply to transfer your award to another institution, your current course leader must also provide a letter of support, or reference.

Look at the UCAS website to see all the courses offered by all UK Universities. Contact the Admissions Tutor of the course you are interested in following. It is probable that you will be required to start the new course from the first year.

The Credit Framework in operation at Sheffield Hallam is part of a nationally recognised framework and common to many Universities within the UK. The credit framework enables students to transfer, where necessary, between Universities using the credit achieved at one institution towards an appropriate award at another subject to the approval of the receiving University.

Make an appointment with the education guidance team, to look at your options.To book an anppointment with education guidance, contact them on 0114 225 3813, or pop into Student and Learning Services, In Level 5, Owen Building (City Campus) or Heart of the campus ( Collegiate Site).

I want to take time off from my studies

It’s important that you talk to someone as soon as possible. University staff will try very hard to support you though your course if they are aware that there are problems. If you can, talk to your tutor or course leader. Usually your faculty have to agree to you taking time out. If you have to take time out because of illness, personal or family issues, you would normally have to provide some written evidence of the reason.

If you don’t feel ready for this, talk the issues through in a confidential interview with an Education Adviser who can help you negotiate the best way forward. If you prefer, you could also discuss your situation with a counsellor or chaplain.
You should visit us for advice about the implications for your student funding, housing contract, and to work out how you will support yourself financially during your time out. You will need to speak to your faculty to formally temporarily withdraw and you must also inform Student Finance England.

Don’t rush into making a rash decision to leave, The University has a number of support services that may be able to help with your situation such as Drop-in Study Support. If the issue is more complex, see an Education Adviser, a counsellor or come see us at the Advice Centre.

If you do not hand in a piece of work by the specified deadline or you don’t attend an examination you will receive a mark of zero and will fail. You will then need to re-register on the module before you can have a further attempt at assessment. This will incur a fee and you will need to attend lectures and seminars again.

You may be given a short extension to your deadline if you produce clear evidence for why you were unable to complete your assignment by the given date and you hand in the work you’ve done so far. You will need to complete form EER1 available on Shuspace and get agreement from your faculty. If there are complex issues that you need to discuss independently, contact an Education Adviser or if you have ongoing difficult personal circumstances click here for more info.

You will be invited to a meeting to discuss the allegation. Read the cheating regulations on Shuspace. You should contact the Advice Centre to speak to an adviser to go through the allegations and any response you wish to make.

You are likely to be invited to a meeting to dicuss the allegation. You should contact the Advice Centre to speak to an adviser to go through the allegations and any response you wish to make.

How can I make an Academic Complaint?

If you are disatisfied with a service from the university then you can make a complaint on the appropriate SC1 form which can be found on SHU space. You have 6 months to make a complaint about a university service.

How can I make an Appeal?

If you wish to make an appeal against a mark you have received or a panel’s decision then you should complete an AA1 form which can be found on SHU space. You must have grounds for an appeal, not being happy with your mark is not a ground for an appeal (For further details on grounds please check the Academic advice page)

If you are experiencing harassment/ bullying you should contact the Students’ Union Advice Centre. The Advice Centre will provide independent advice, guidance and support to any student who is being harassed.

The Advisers will talk through the grievance and outline the options available to you. A course of action will be agreed with you, no action will be taken without your consent. We offer a confidential service.

If the agreed action involves a referral (for example to the Counselling Service in the Student & Academic Services Centre), this will be done in line with Students’ Union’s Referral Policy.

If you have problems with your supervisor, you should discuss the matter with the designated person in your department (who may be the Head of the department). It may be possible to change supervisor. If the issues remain after speaking to your faculty, then contact the advice centre for further help.

The Fitness to Practice regulations apply to students on professional courses such as Nursing and Teaching. If the University becomes aware of a concern about a student they will arrange a meeting to discuss this with you in order to decide if any further action under the regulations should be taken. Make sure you read the Fitness to Practice Regulations on Shuspace. You should call the Advice Centre to make an appointment to see an Adviser who can attend this meeting with you.

For advice on a specific piece of work or with general study skills. You don’t need an appointment, just turn up with whatever you need help with.

City
Adsetts Centre, Room 4.06
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1-2pm
Monday to Friday, 2-3pm

Collegiate Crescent
Learning Centre, Level 1
Tuesday, 5:30-7:30pm
Wednesday and Thursday, 12-1pm

There are additional one to one appointments with Study Practice Tutors at Collegiate on Tuesdays 9.45am-12.45pm and at City Campus on Fridays 9.30am – 12.30pm. Book via Student and Learning Services on Level 5 Owen or call (0114) 225 3813.

For International students
Adsetts Centre, Room 4.1, City Campus
Wednesday, 3:30- 4:30pm

There is also faculty specific support- details on Shuspace:

Development and Society
Study support in this faculty is delivered in the Learning Hubs. Each session is focused on the students who normally study in that building.

Sheffield Business School
There are additional appointments for individuals or groups at the coffee mornings throughout the semester or by booking at the SHIP. Students can also use the normal Drop-in Study Practice in the Learning Centres.
International students in SBS can book sessions at the SHIP or meet the tutor in the common room.

ACES and Health and Wellbeing
Students from these faculties should use the general Drop-in Study Practice in the Learning Centres.

No. The University’s complaints procedure states that ‘Students will not be disadvantaged as a result of raising a matter of concern or of making a complaint provided it is made in good faith.’

Can’t find what you are looking for or need further help? Don’t hesitate to contact us on 0114 225 4148.

USEFUL LEAFLETS

Extenuating Circumstances Leaflet 12 – 13- While at university it is not uncommon to experience incidents or problems in life that may prevent you carrying out assignments or exams or mean that you do not perform at your best, these are known as ‘extenuating circumstances’. This leaflet details what issues are classed as extenuating circumstances while studying at university and how to submit the extenuating circumstances forms. In addition this leaflet talks about how to make an appeal on the grounds of extenuating circumstances and the procedures of the university when dealing with extenuating circumstances.

Changing Your Course Leaflet 12 -13 – if you are considering changing course, withdrawing or changing University, this leaflet will outline the practicalities.

Fitness To Practice Leaflet 12 -13. Some professional courses like Nursing and Teaching have Fitness to Practice Regulations. This leaflet explains what they are and gives you some of the important things you need to know.

Academic Misconduct Leaflet 12-13- There are many forms of plagiarism, this leaflet lists the different types of cheating and plagiarism, highlights what your options are if you have been accused of cheating, explains the university procedures, how the panel decide a penalty, and the penalties themselves.

The university can also help with study and can discuss issues such as cheating and plagiarism so that it is prevented in the future. For example the drop-in study practice which provides one-to-one support designed to complement the students’ own individual academic programme and experience. This service can be found in the Learning Centres at both City and Collegiate Campuses, for more information on these sessions ring 0114 225 3813.

Complaints Leaflet 12-13 -This leaflet aims to provide advice to students when dealing with complaints. Eligible complaints consist of; teaching and facilities, placement procedures, maladministration, harassment, disability discrimination, supervision of research. Not only does this leaflet help with complaints, it offers advice as to how to complain, how the university will deal with your complaint and problems you may experience when complaining.

Academic Appeals Leaflet 12-13 – You may feel that you want to appeal against a decision made by the University. This leaflet tells you the grounds you can make an appeal against and how to go about making an appeal.