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Academic progress difficulties - undergraduates

If you are encountering difficulties that are affecting your academic progress (e.g. attendance at classes, completing assessments, preparing for or attending examinations), you should, in the first instance, contact someone in your School (or the School responsible for the module you are taking, if in Sub-honours). The School may identify an individual point of contact, otherwise you may consult the Module Co-ordinator, your Adviser of Studies or the Director of Teaching. You may also consult the Pro Dean (Undergraduate) of your Faculty, who can give you advice on all academic issues, including leaves of absence, module options and degree pathways and can be consulted on most aspects of academic performance. In matters relating to Termination of Studies, you must respond to the Pro Dean (Advising) of your Faculty in the first instance, but you may also seek advice from your Adviser of Studies or from Student Services.

Student Services can be consulted for advice relating to personal and medical problems and they may inform Schools and Departments of circumstances that are affecting a student, such as illness, bereavement or personal issues. These circumstances may be taken into account by way of assessment extensions or alternative assessment. It is important that all circumstances that may have affected performance are brought to the attention of the appropriate School(s) as early as possible and certainly before the examination diet for the semester affected. Please note that failure to notify circumstances affecting academic performance in advance of the final determination of grades may affect your ability subsequently to submit an academic appeal.

Contact

Students' Association

The Director of Representation and the Student Advocate (Education) together handle representational and educational issues at the Students' Association. Iain Cupples, the Student Advocate (Education), provides strictly confidential advice on academic issues on behalf of the Association. As an employee of the Association, rather than the University, Iain can offer an independent perspective and student-centred advice on a range of issues. In particular, he can provide practical support and advice for students who need to use formal University procedures such as appeals and complaints.

In addition to Iain, there is also a Student Advocate (Accommodation). Eleanor Feltham is available to give advice and support on any accommodation issues you may be facing.

Director of Representation

The Director of Representation of the Students' Association is available to give advice in confidence to individual students on all areas of representation including education, accommodation, sustainability, equal opportunities and welfare. The Director of Representation is also the main point of contact regarding student representation; in particular the Class Representatives and the Students Representative Council (SRC).

Evening Degree students

Students should contact Dr Nicky Haxell, Co-ordinator of the Part-Time Evening Degree Programme (see Evening Degree students).

Common undergraduate problems

Once you have matriculated (registered), you should see your tutors or module co-ordinators for information on particular module or programme requirements. However, you should contact Registry, St Katharine's West, 16 The Scores (or email registry-ug@st-andrews.ac.uk) in the following circumstances:

I want to change my course or module choice

You cannot change your programme or module choice without having this approved by an Adviser of Studies. Changes must be approved by the end of Week 2. All students should see their Adviser in his/her School/Department or contact them by email.

I want to change my Faculty

You are admitted to a specific Faculty on the basis of your stated degree choice and entrance qualifications. Changing Faculties requires the permission of both the Pro Deans (Advising) in the Faculty you wish to join and the Faculty you are leaving.  Students should first see the Pro Dean (Advising) of the Faculty they wish to join. Appointments are to be made through the Registry or the Advice & Support Centre.

I want to change my status from full-time to part-time (or vice versa)

Students should see the Pro Dean (Undergraduate) of their Faculty. Changes for the current semester must be approved by the end of Week 2. Appointments may be made through the Advice and Support Centre (ASC) or Registry.

I want to change my status from non-graduating to graduating

If you are an overseas non-graduating student and wish to stay for more than one year, in order to graduate with a degree from this University, you should apply to transfer to graduating status. Non-graduating students will be contacted by Registry in March and May: the application form will be emailed to your University of St Andrews email account. Those wishing to change status should complete the form as required and return to Registry. Please note you should also include an up to date transcript from your previous institution if you wish to have transferred credits (usually for entry to 3rd or 4th year). Non-graduating students from within the European Union (EU) should apply through UCAS if they wish to undertake a graduating programme. Details of the Admissions procedure are available at Prospective students: Undergraduate students.

I wish to withdraw either temporarily or permanently from my studies

If you are considering withdrawing from your studies at the University you should discuss the matter with your Adviser of Studies in the first instance. You should arrange to do this as early as possible as there are often alternative options open to you that would not require the final step of permanent withdrawal from the University. If you do decide you wish to withdraw from your studies you must contact the appropriate Pro Dean who will be able to offer guidance on your options and who will ensure that the process is completed correctly.

You should be aware that there are fee implications when you withdraw from your studies part of the way through an academic year. You should therefore ensure that you contact the Money Adviser in Student Services to obtain early advice on the final implications of your decision before you complete your withdrawal.

Full information about taking a temporary leave of absence can be found at Leave of absence.

See also

• Academic Alert
• Advising of studies
• Appeals, complaints and discipline
• Termination of studies (UG)