Advice Service

Confidential 
The SU (Students Union) advice service will not discuss a student’s case with anyone else, unless there is a risk of danger, or we have been given permission to do so by the student.

Free 
The SU advice service offers advice to all students free of charge.

Independent 
The SU advice service is separate from the university, and therefore our advice is based around the student’s interests, not the university’s. 

Students’ Union (SU) 
We are the people here to help students make the most of their time at university, no matter what or where you study. Membership is free and automatic for all UWTSD students. The Student Union is made up of three parts: student voice, opportunities, and advice.

University Processes

‘Progression/Outcome’ Exam Board Letter 
A document that confirms a student’s academic status at the end of an assessment board, e.g. withdrawal or progression.

Academic Appeal 
An 'Academic Appeal' is the way that a student asks the University to re-consider the decision of the Examining Board.

Academic Judgement 
A judgement that is made about matter where the opinion of academic expertise is essential. Academic Appeals cannot be submitted under Academic Judgement. 

Academic Misconduct (AM) 
Any action by a student which gives or has the potential to give an unfair advantage in an examination or assessment or might assist someone else to gain an unfair advantage, or any activity likely to undermine the integrity essential to scholarship and research. 

Academic Office (AO) 
A team of case workers that review appeals, extenuating circumstances, complaints, and review of outcomes

Appeal Allowed 
Case for successful appeal.

Appeal Disallowed 
No case for successful appeal.

Balance of Probability
When a decision-making body is satisfied that an event occurred if the occurrence of the event was more likely than not based on the evidence provided.

Burden of Proof
Determines who is responsible for proving evidence. 

Collusion 
Working with someone else on an assessment which is intended to be your own work and leads to the work being submitted that is substantially different from what you originally wrote.

Completion of Procedures (CoP)
A CoP Letter means that the University has made its final decision, and that its internal procedures have been completed. This means there are no further steps in the University's internal procedures.

Evidence 
Independent documentation showing that a student’s studies have been affected by something specific in the run-up to, or at the time of, the assessment in question. Usually, this means providing a letter or a statement from a professional, such as a Medical Certificate or Statement of Fitness to Work from a doctor for a medical condition.

Exit Award
An award given to provide recognition of credits completed of a course when a full Programme is not completed. 

Extenuating Circumstances (EC) 
Students may be unable to complete their assignment by the deadline or their assessment performance may be impacted due to health issues or something happening in their personal life which could not have been foreseen. Students can apply for Extenuating Circumstances on their MyTSD.

Group Complaint
If a group of students are having similar concerns about an issue, they can collectively submit a formal complaint.

Interruption of Studies 
Interrupting your studies means taking time out or putting your studies ‘on hold’ normally for a minimum period of three months due to personal or health reasons. This is normally done with a view to resuming the course later (usually the next academic year)

MyTSD 
Online student system where students can view their final results, apply for Extenuating Circumstances, and apply for Council Tax Exemption certificate.

Natural Justice
Sometimes referred to as ‘procedural fairness,’ natural justice is the duty a provider has to act fairly as well as following their own procedures. 

Non-academic Misconduct 
Where behaviour of a student goes against the expectations set out in the Student Code of Conduct.

Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA)
A national body that can help with investigating English and Welsh universities. If after completing the University’s internal procedures you still feel you have been treated unfairly, you can submit a complaint to the OIA.

Panel
Formal procedure in relation to Appeals Policy, Complaints Policy, Academic Misconduct Policy, Non-Academic Misconduct Policy, Support for Study and Fitness for Practice, whereby participants discuss complex matters of a student’s case. 

Plagiarism (PL) 
Presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own. This can include using another author’s work or using automated paraphrasing software.

Poor Academic Practice 
A minor breach of standard academic conventions, such as poorly attributed or incorrect referencing to a limited extent, or over-reliance on referenced material. This also includes failure to adequately understand and follow assessment instructions.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Using credits achieved on a previous course to gain entry to a different course.

Review of Outcome 
A process students can request after receiving an initial decision from the Academic Office, whereby a new case officer is asked to investigate.

Standard of Proof
The level of proof required. For example, ‘balance of probabilities.’

Student Code of Conduct
A document that sets out expectations of behaviour from a student. This includes acting with professionalism, being an ambassador for the university, having respect for others, caring for others, having respect for the university environment, and having respect for the community.

Viva 
An oral presentation to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support the allegation of academic misconduct.

Withdrawal 
A permanent end to a student’s place on the Programme.

Financial and Housing

Council Tax Exemption
If a student is studying full time (on a course that lasts at least a year and requires 21 hours of study each week), they may not have to pay Council Tax.

Course Costs Bursary (CCB) 
This is a source of financial support for course-related costs, which may include specialist books, specialist equipment etc.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) 
A department responsible for welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy. DWP administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability, and ill health benefits.

Deposit
When starting a new tenancy agreement, you may be required to pay an amount. All deposits should be secured under a protection scheme.

Digital Connectivity Bursary (DCB) 
The University offers a Digital Connectivity Bursary to help eligible students who are unable to afford broadband or do not have access to a suitable device

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
DSA is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability. This can be on its own or in addition to any student finance you get. The type of support and how much you get depends on your individual needs - not your household income.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) 
A benefit that can help with extra living costs if a person has both: a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability or difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition.

Student Financial Support Fund (SFSF) 
This is an additional source of financial support for any eligible student who has taken out a Student Loan (if eligible) and is suffering unexpected financial hardship.

Student Loans Company 
Student Loans Company is non-profit making government-owned organisation that administers loans and grants to students in colleges and universities in the UK.

Tenancy Agreement
A tenancy agreement is a contract between the tenant(s) and the landlord which sets out the terms and conditions of renting a property.

Tuition Fee Loan 
A type of student loan that covers the cost of tuition fees for Higher Education. It is usually paid directly to the University.

Universal Credit (UC) 
Universal Credit is a payment to help with living costs if you are on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.