Failure to Register Policy - Research Postgraduates
This policy relates to all Research Postgraduate students who are actively studying at the University and who fail to complete the registration process at the start of their new year of study in a given academic year; or who fail to obtain permission from the University to interrupt their studies.
With effect from 2010/11 students who fail to register by the deadlines detailed below will have their studies suspended. Failure to register at the appropriate point in two consecutive academic years will result in termination of studies.
- Students expected to register at the start of first semester who fail to complete registration by 31 October.
- Students expected to register at the start of second semester who fail to complete registration by 31 March.
- Students expected to register outwith first or second semesters who fail to complete registration within 6 weeks of their due registration date.
Students who do not register are not fully matriculated students of the University of St Andrews and on this basis forfeit the right to appeal against the suspension and subsequently against the termination.
The University will at all times seek to ensure that the circumstances of individual students are taken into account fairly and supportively, but it is the student’s responsibility to provide evidence to University Officers of any circumstances that may prevent them from completing the registration process. If a student is unable to do this, they should nominate a relative or a friend to do this on their behalf. University Officers should be informed at the earliest possible point and certainly by the start date of the year of study. University Officers can be contacted by emailing latematriculation@st-andrews.ac.uk. Full details about matriculation can be found at: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/academic/matriculation/ For students who have problems or issues with their studies, support is available from the University’s Student Services Team. They can be contacted by emailing: studentservices@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Definition of “Failed to complete the registration process”
A student is deemed to have “failed to complete registration” when one or more of the following mandatory elements of matriculation have not been completed successfully:
- Personal Details
- Payment of fees (tuition and accommodation) and any outstanding debt or obtaining University approval for payment arrangements of fees (accommodation, tuition, outstanding debt)
- Signing up to the “University’s Code of Honour”
- Conditions for Tier 4 Visa (only students who require visa to enter UK)
- Medical students only – completion of the “St Andrews Agreement for Medical Students”
Students are provided with full information and 24 hours, 7 days per week access to complete the registration process on line for at least 8 weeks prior to the suspension deadline due to failure to register. During this time students will receive multiple notifications and reminders to complete the process including information on how and where to get help.
How will a student be notified of a suspension of studies?
- After the start of semester at least two reminder emails to the student regarding non registration, consequences and late fees.
- 7 working days before the 31 October, 31 March or 6 week deadline – notification containing a final warning before suspension will be dispatched to the student’s email address and a letter will be sent to the term-time and out of term contact addresses (using most recent information held on system).
- On 31 October, 31 March, or 6 week deadline date of first working day thereafter a Suspension of Studies Notification Letter will be dispatched to the student’s email address and to the out of term and term-time contact addresses (using most recent information held on system)
All above communication will be copied to the relevant Schools, Supervisors, Student Services, Finance, Pro Deans and Proctor.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that their contact information is complete and up to date. The University will at all times use the student’s University email address as the primary point of contact, but will supplement this with a letter sent to the student’s term-time and out of term correspondence addresses.
How is suspension effected?
Based on student status, the current student record and the history of registration related communication prior to suspension, the Academic Registry will put students forward for suspension to the Proctor, who will acknowledge these suspensions as a matter of routine. A notification will be sent to the student from Registry by email and by letter to the term-time and out of term addresses notifying the student of the suspension. This decision will be final without a right to appeal.
When can a student re-register following a suspension of studies?
Students will be informed in the Suspension of studies notification letter that through non-compliance with the registration process at the University of St Andrews, they have forfeited the right to register/matriculate for the current semester. Provided they comply with the registration process fully, they will be able to re-register at the next opportunity as follows:
(1) For students expected to register by the first semester can be the 2nd semester of that academic year, or in the first semester of the next academic year
(2) For students expected to register by the second semester can be the 1st or 2nd semester of the next academic year
(3) For students who fail to complete registration within 6 weeks from the start date of their new year of programme can be any point up until the 31st October of the next academic year.
What will happen if a student fails to re-register following a suspension of studies?
Students who fail to register by 31 October of the following academic year i.e. fail to register in two consecutive academic years will have their studies terminated automatically. The student will be notified of the termination by the Proctor and the decision will be final without the right to appeal.