The University’s Support to Study Procedure has been created to support students who are experiencing complex challenges that may prevent them being able to engage with their course. Students may be referred to this process when staff or a third party have raised concerns, or when a student has advised staff that their circumstances are affecting their studies. The aim of the procedure is to identify issues, enable the student to access support and ensure their fitness to study.
Contents
- When does the Support to Study Procedure apply?
- What happens when a student is referred to the Support to Study Procedure?
- Stage 1: Informal Discussion
- Stage 2: Fitness to Study
- I'm struggling with my course but I'm nervous about disclosing this - what should I do?
When does the Support to Study Procedure Apply?
Support to study may be appropriate when a student:
- Is unable to engage with their course (eg poor attendance, multiple non-submissions, lack of communication with staff)
- Exhibits behaviour that leads to concerns about their welfare
- Disrupts teaching and the learning of others
- Self-refers and advises staff that they are experiencing health or wellbeing concerns that are impacting on their studies
What happens when if I am referred to the Support to Study Procedure?
There are two stages to the Procedure:
- Stage 1: Informal Discussion
- Stage 2: Fitness to Study
The University will look to intervene early to avoid a student's circumstances escalating and reaching crisis point. In many cases an informal, supportive discussion will be enough to address any concerns and direct the student to approproiate support.
If informal discussion isn't sufficient to improve the student's situation, or where it is felt that managing risks informally isn't appropriate, then a Fitness to Study Panel meeting may be arranged.
Stage 1: Informal Discussion
Staff from your School will meet with you to discuss their concerns, while offering you the chance to discuss your own views and to talk about potential supports that you feel may be helpful. Staff are expected to take a supportive and understanding approach with the aim of helping you to engage with your studies and access appropriate support.
If it is decided at this stage that you would benefit from time away from the University, you can self-select to take an Interruption of Studies. For undergraduate and postgraduate taught students, the Interruption of Studies process is set out in the Reasonable Adjustments & Supportive Arrangements Policy. For PGR students, this process is contained in the PGR Code of Practice.
Stage 2: Fitness to Study
You may be referred to a Fitness to Study Panel when:
- A more formal approach is required to support you than the one available at Stage 1
- Interruption of Studies is not seen to be likely to resolve your issues
- Interruption of Studies has been unsuccessful in addressing your issues
- There are continuing concerns about your welfare following an Interruption of Studies or other Stage 1 outcome
Attending a Fitness to Study Panel meeting
You will be invited to attend a Panel meeting to discuss your situation in detail. While it's understandable to feel anxious about this, the approach taken is a supportive one with the focus on helping you to access the help you need to continue in your studies where possible. The advisers at the SRC Advice Centre can support you to prepare for a Fitness to Study Panel meeting, as well as attending the meeting itself.
The purpose of the meeting is to:
- discuss the difficulties that have been reported by the School or College and give you an opportunity to share your views;
- make you aware of the support available to you;
- agree an action plan to find a way forward;
- ensure that you understand the possible outcomes if difficulties remain or the action plan is not followed.
If you intend to submit documents to the Panel, you need to provide these at least 10 working days in advance. Any documents submitted by your School or College must be shared with you at least 5 working days before the meeting. If you have any questions around what evidence you might want to submit to the Panel you should contact the SRC Advice Centre.
Support to attend a Panel meeting
If you're invited to come to a Panel meeting, there is an expectation that you will attend. Even if you don't attend, the Panel can still make a decision in your absence.
You can be supported at the Panel meeting by:
- a family member;
- a friend;
- a mental health advocate/supporter;
- an adviser from the SRC Advice Centre;
- a member of University staff.
If you feel it would be detrimental to your health to attend the meeting, one of the representatives mentioned above can attend on your behalf.
Who sits on a Fitness to Study Panel?
The Panel is made up of:
- an academic member of the Advising Team from the your subject area (such as your Adviser of Studies or Supervisor);
- a representative from the Students' Representative Council (SRC) Executive or SRC Council;
- a representative from the Student Wellbeing & Inclusion Team.
In addition, the following may be invited to join the Panel if required:
- a medical adviser from the School of Medicine;
- a School or College representative, e.g. Course Convener;
- a representative from Disability Services;
- a representative from the Student Visas team if the student holds a student visa;
- a representative from the Global Opportunities team if the student is a Study Abroad student.
Receiving an outcome
You will not normally be given an outcome on the day of the Panel meeting.
You should receive a letter or email which will detail the outcome and any action plan within 10 working days.
There are a range of possible outcomes following a Fitness to Study Panel. You may be allowed to continue on your course, subject to conditions, or be directed to take an Interruption of Studies to access support or treatment. If the Panel decides that there is no reasonable prospect of you being able to re-engage with your studies, you may be withdrawn from your course. However, this outcome will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Fitness to Study Interruption of Studies
The Panel may direct you to take a break from your studies, called a Fitness to Study Interruption of Studies. The length of this break and a proposed earliest date for your return, along with any other conditions, will be set out in your outcome letter.
Before your return date the Convener of the Panel will arrange a Fitness to Study review meeting, which you'll be asked to attend. You may be asked to provide supporting information to show that you're in a good place to return to your studies, and any ongoing support you're likely to require to do so (e.g. a letter from your doctor if you've been dealing with health issues).
The Fitness to Study review meeting will cover:
- a review of ongoing/future support needs and engagement with specialist support, e.g. the Disability Service;
- expectations about your attendance, any deadlines, resubmission arrangements or assessments;
- which staff members at your School will act as your points of contact and check in with you to review your progress. Where appropriate, you may also be provided with a contact within Student Wellbeing as well.
Appealing an outcome
An appeal can be made regarding the outcome of the Panel meeting on one of two grounds:
- The student has new medical evidence that they were unable, for valid reasons, to provide earlier in the process and which evidence is likely to have had a material bearing on the decision of the Panel.
- The procedures set out in the Support to Study process have not been followed, to the material detriment of the student.
An appeal must be made in writing to the Convener of the Panel at supporttostudy@glasgow.ac.uk within 10 working days.
If you've received a Fitness to Study Panel outcome and you're considering appealing this decision, we'd strongly recommend that you contact the SRC Advice Centre for advice and support with this.
I'm struggling with my course but I'm nervous about disclosing this - what should I do?
It's important that you let the University know that you're struggling to ensure that you can access the support you need and avoid your health and academic work being affected. This could involve help under the Support to Study Procedure, but there are lots of steps that can be taken to make sure you're properly supported whatever your circumstances.
If you're worried about speaking to staff at your School, you can contact the SRC Advice Centre for confidential advice on the wellbeing and academic supports provided by the University. Our team can signpost you to relevant services, as well as advising on Extenuating Circumstances and Academic Appeals if your studies have been impacted by your circumstances.
You can also self-refer to the University's Counselling & Wellbeing Services who can provide a variety of supports for a range of issues and severity.
While it can be tempting to try to 'push on' and get through difficulties on your own, this is rarely the best option. Disclosing your concerns early can make a huge difference when it comes to staying healthy and performing well academically.