Your DMU Future – Student and applicant FAQs

From 8 March, in-person learning resumed for students who are studying practical or practice-based (including creative arts) subjects and need specialist equipment and facilities. To minimise the risk to yourself and others on your return, you should follow the Government’s safer travel guidance. You are also encouraged to get tested before you travel back to DMU, where community testing facilities are available to you.

In line with step three of the Government roadmap, all remaining students will be allowed to return to in-person teaching and their student home from 17 May at the earliest. Until then they should continue their learning online.

If you are studying one of the specified courses and DMU has confirmed that you can return, you can travel by either public transport or private transport but to minimise the risk of transmission to others, you should follow the Government's safer travel guidance.

This includes:

• Planning ahead and avoiding busy times and routes where possible


• Walking or cycling where possible


• If using public transport, you should regularly sanitise your hands, wear a face covering unless you are exempt, and keep your distance where possible


• It is a legal requirement that, unless exempt, you must wear a face covering on public transport and inside transport hubs, e.g. train stations. You could be fined £200 minimum if you do not comply


• If travelling by car, you should avoid sharing a car with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. If this isn't possible, you should open the windows, wear a face covering unless exempt, and leave seats free to social distance.

The Government is asking students not to travel home for the Spring break, it is strongly advising those students who only returned to university from 8 March to not travel wherever possible. This is in order to minimise transmission of Covid-19. 

However it may be that some students may wish to travel home for the vacation, particularly those whose courses resumed in-person teaching from the beginning of term. 

It is legally permissible for higher education students to travel home for the Spring break provided you do so only once before 29 April. You can travel back to term-time accommodation at any time. Please make sure you follow the Government’s safer travel guidance. 

You should also get tested before you travel home and then again before you travel back to university, where community testing facilities are available. If you test positive, you will be required by law to self-isolate for 10 days and should not travel. 

Students are encouraged to test before they travel back to university, where community testing facilities are available to them. 

All students eligible to return to university should get two tests - one immediately on return to university and then again three days later. You should then be tested twice weekly thereafter.  

If you test positive (following one positive lateral flow test and a confirmatory PCR test) you will need to remain in self-isolation for 10 days in your term-time accommodation. 

You must also report this to the university by completing our dmu.ac.uk/safetracenotify form and complete the self-isolation form to let the university know that you’re unable to attend any scheduled face-to-face teaching. 

You can get lateral flow tests at our testing centre at The Watershed in Upperton Road. 

Before you get tested, make sure you have made plans to travel home safely if you test positive. Walk, cycle or drive wherever possible. If driving, try to be the only person in the vehicle, but you can share a car with your household or support bubble if necessary. If this is the case, open windows, wear a face covering and sit far away from others in the car. Do not use public transport or a taxi or private hire vehicle to return home. 

While awaiting your result (typically it takes one hour), you should not interact with other students - this is to avoid virus transmission. 

• If the first lateral flow test is negative, you should limit your social contact and interaction with other students until you take your second lateral flow test three days later and receive a negative result. 
• If your second test is also negative, you can continue your normal day-to-day activities in line with national or regional tier restrictions. 
• However, if you test positive, you should return to your accommodation immediately and self-isolate for ten days. You should walk, cycle or drive where possible and should not use public transport or a taxi or private hire vehicle.

If you are on a placement and not attending university facilities, you should follow and participate in any testing regime in place at your placement. You don’t need to travel to university to be tested before travelling to a placement unless this is advised by the placement provider. 

The more people that get tested, the better we can mitigate the transmission of Covid-19 and everyone’s university experience can improve. 

Testing take place at a testing centre operating inside The Watershed, on Upperton Road on weekdays between 9am and 5pm. It is vital to take regular tests once you are back on campus. 

Appointment bookings are now available, you will be able to book them using the tile on MyDMU. 

Learn more about booking a lateral flow test at DMU. 

 

If you have had a positive coronavirus test in the last 90 days through NHS Test and Trace and been recorded as a positive case on the national system, you do not need to be tested again via the lateral flow testing system within that period if you are asymptomatic. This is because you are likely to have developed some immunity. You are still required to self-isolate if you are identified as a close contact of a positive case, even if this is within the 90-day window.

From 29 March the government is asking everyone to minimise travel where possible. Where you do need to travel, you should follow safer travel guidance which includes: 

• Planning ahead and avoiding busy times and routes where possible 

• Walking or cycling where possible 

• If using public transport, you should regularly sanitise your hands, wear a face covering unless you are exempt, and keep your distance where possible 

• It is a legal requirement that, unless exempt, you must wear a face covering on public transport and inside transport hubs, e.g. train stations. You could be fined £200 minimum if you do not comply. 

• If travelling by car, you should avoid sharing a car with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. If this isn’t possible, you should open the windows, wear a face covering unless exempt, and leave seats free to social distance. 

The previous action announced by Government for outbound passengers to minimise travel across international borders and reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission is still in place - see more information about these measures. The latest travel advice is updated regularly on GOV.UK . For those wishing to travel out of the UK, these measures include: 

• Increased police enforcement: There will be an increased police presence at ports and airports, fining those in breach of the ‘Stay at Home’ regulations. Anyone without valid reason for travel will be directed to return home and may face a fine. 

• Reviewing travel exemptions: The list of travel exemptions will be urgently reviewed so that only the most important and exceptional reasons are included. 

If you have already booked travel but you are not on a course prioritised for return on 8 March, you should consider delaying until 17 May if those travel arrangements can be rearranged without undue costs.

New international students are able to commence a course by distance learning from outside the UK without a visa, and do not require sponsorship under the Student route while they are studying outside the UK. You should be aware that  visa concessions allow for the ongoing provision of online learning for the duration of academic year 2020-21.

If you are on one of the courses that have been prioritised for return on 8 March, and are making travel plans to come to the UK to study, you should:

Check additional entry requirements and restrictions that have been introduced due to coronavirus (Covid-19) before travelling to the UK, including whether the country you are travelling from is on the UK’s red list -  see GOV.UK  for more information.

Check with DMU in advance to confirm when face-to-face teaching begins.

Inform DMU when you intend to arrive on campus so that you can be appropriately supported.

You should be aware that  all  inbound travellers to the UK (including international and domestic students) will have to take a Covid-19 test up to three days before departure and provide evidence of a negative result before you travel. All international arrivals will be required to complete a passenger locator form on arrival. 

You should also be aware that everyone must book a travel test package before travelling to the UK – this costs £210. You must take a Covid-19 test on or before day two after you arrive for variant surveillance and a test on or after day 8 to check that you do not have Covid-19. This can be booked using the  travel package booking portal.

 it is vital that international students arriving in the UK have followed the correct arrival procedure. Failure to do so may result in possible delays or fines. In some instances, students may be denied entry at the border.

Students must follow the law on international travel. This means if you are a student coming to the UK, before you travel (regardless of where from) you must:

• Take a coronavirus (Covid-19) test and get a negative result three days before you travel. You could face a fine of £500 if you can't provide proof of a negative test
• Self-isolate for 10 days on arrival, and pre-book or pre-arrange your accommodation accordingly:
  • If you have travelled from or through a red list country 10 days before arrival, you must quarantine in a managed quarantine hotel unless you are exempt. This applies to students who are British or Irish nationals, or third country nationals with residence rights in the UK. You must pre-book your quarantine hotel in advance, or you could face a fine of up to £4,000
  • If you have not travelled from or through a red list country, you must quarantine in your own accommodation for 10 days
• Complete a passenger locator form detailing where you will quarantine upon arrival
• Pre-book and pay for a travel test package, which will include Covid-19 tests to be taken on or before day two and on or after day eight of quarantine. Testing provided by DMU will not cover this. Students must pre-book the travel test package. If they do not take the day two and day eight tests, they could face a fine of £2,000
• Be ready to present proof of study documents on arrival to the UK
• Be aware that travel advice may change, so regularly check all relevant guidance pages for the latest updates prior to travelling
• Speak to your travel insurer to understand the implications of changing your travel date.

Students who have arrived from overseas and have completed a period of quarantine – either in a hotel or in their own accommodation - are not expected to be tested when they return to campus. Students should, however, follow instructions on ongoing asymptomatic testing at DMU. You can get regular lateral flow tests at our testing centre at The Watershed in Upperton Road.

DMU is reviewing its current timetables and adjusting accordingly for those courses that will remain online at this time. DMU has specified which courses meet the government's face-to-face teaching criteria. If your course is listed as one of those that will continue with face-to-face teaching, and you are able to travel into campus wherever you’re based for during term time, you should continue to do so.

Although we do appreciate that this is difficult, it is important that you continue to attend on-campus teaching where you are expected, as non-attendance that has not been approved will have an impact on your attendance record and learning outcomes. If you cannot attend a teaching session on campus, you must notify your Faculty Student Advice Centre as soon as possible. The Your DMU Future website provides all the advice and support you need to get the most from your university studies and the student experience.

See our campus facilities page for more information about campus buildings that remain open and for details on who is permitted to access them.

Study spaces should only be accessed by those students who either have face-to-face teaching or are already in student accommodation and have limited or no study space. Commuting students with no face-to-face teaching must not come on to campus and therefore will not have access to the study spaces.

Research students are permitted to access specialist labs and study spaces but only if it is deemed absolutely necessary to conduct their work.

The library will remain open for students who have face-to-face teaching and for those who are staying in student accommodation. In line with the Government guidelines, the library is open for studying (including PC access and printing) and borrowing materials, on an essential access-only basis. See the library’s Covid-19 pages and opening hours.

Library services will also be available online. For more information or to access resources, visit: https://library.dmu.ac.uk/DMU.

Wherever possible, you should remain where you are and should not travel to your term-time address or to access university facilities until the resumption of in-person teaching and learning.

You should avoid returning to university to collect any of your belongings which you may have left at your university accommodation. However, you can travel back to collect any medical equipment or items required for online learning if it is essential.

In exceptional circumstances, for example where you do not have access to appropriate alternative accommodation, facilities or study space, or where you need to return for health or safety reasons, then please contact your Student Advice Centre.

If you remained in your term-time accommodation or have already returned but are not expected to return to in-person teaching and learning at this stage, you should remain at your current university accommodation. You should only use campus resources when you have to, in order to reduce footfall on campus.

If you do need to access campus resources then you should participate in testing.

The Government has confirmed that the efforts of universities to create Covid-secure environments within teaching and learning spaces has been successful. They have not seen evidence of increased transmission within these environments – and this is certainly the case at DMU.

We remain committed to continue to do all we can to protect the safety of our students and staff, meeting in full all government guidelines.

The majority of catering facilities will be closed. Only the Food Village will remain operational to serve as a takeaway service. You will also be able to sit in and eat, providing you maintain social distancing. The Simply Fresh store is to remain open in line with government guidance for key shops and supermarkets. Learn more about using campus food outlets during the lockdown.

Any student who has an ongoing or significant health or disability-related concern which may affect their attendance at university should contact the DAS (disability@dmu.ac.uk) or our Mental Health team (wellbeing@dmu.ac.uk), who will discuss the situation with you and consider what support or adjustments can be put in place. 

As ever, the HealthyDMU Hub is available to support your health and wellbeing at DMU. It will provide you with information about staying well, and how to book appointments with the Student Welfare Team.  

All of DMU's welfare services are also currently available online should you need to access them. This includes counselling, mindfulness, masterclasses and Single Point of Access (SPA) appointments. The HealthyDMU Hub has lots of helpful resources to help support you, including information on how to stay active and how to connect with others.  

Students (including international and postgraduate students) are encouraged to contact their university or higher education provider if they find themselves facing financial difficulties related to Covid-19. Many universities have student hardship funds and offer non-repayable grants to help students in financial difficulty. You may be eligible to apply for one of these grants. 

The government has recently (February 2021) announced further support for students financially impacted by the pandemic. The funding will be distributed by the OfS directly to universities, which are best placed to assess student hardship locally. 

The UKCISA website has further information for international students. 

DMUsport are now able to offer a free programme of sport and activities, open to any current registered DMU student. Sessions are open to all year groups, genders and experience levels. All (except rowing) taking place in the city centre at St Margaret’s Pasture, so they’re easy to get to and walking distance from campus.

All sessions will have a DMUsport member of staff present (as this is organised sport in line with the Government’s roadmap), who will run the session, be responsible for Covid-safe behaviour and any equipment needed for the session. More information as to how to book and what to expect can be found under the DMUsport events on MyGateway.

Activities will be under continued review as facilities and session leaders become available. Follow @dmusports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates.  If you have a suggestion for an activity you’d like to see, please email sport@dmu.ac.uk.

Click here to view the full schedule of activities. 

De Montfort Students' Union (DSU) will continue to support students remotely. The DSU Advice, Activities, and DSU Voice teams will be working from home and will still be available to support students online. 

The Campus Centre, including DSU’s Reception, the Function Rooms and commercial outlets, including SUpplies and SU’s Diner, will remain closed. The Simply Fresh store will remain open in line with government guidance for key shops and supermarkets. 

We would now like to confirm that students in DMU halls (Bede Hall, Waterway Gardens and New Wharf Halls) who are not able to come back on to campus will receive a 100 per cent rebate while they are unable to use their accommodation during the period of national lockdown. 

This will apply from 11 January and we also commit to extending this rebate if the national restrictions are prolonged. Please see details on how to apply for this rebate and full eligibility criteria on DMU’s accommodation webpage. 

The majority of DMU students live in accommodation owned and managed by external parties (ie, the contract is between the student and the private provider). We wanted to set a good example through the discount we have offered and we will now be writing to all private providers encouraging them to make similar provisions. But, please note, that we cannot force them to do so, given that the contract is between the student and private provider. Many private providers are starting to announce their own schemes. Universities UK, of which we are a member, is also lobbying for government intervention with private providers. 

DMU will additionally be donating further monies to our student hardship fund at this time. This is so we can support all students with the greatest needs, including those in private accommodation who will be facing similar issues caused by the national lockdown, but who may not receive any rent support. We’re conscious that the current circumstances impact students differently, some will be more negatively affected than others financially, so we want to bring as much fairness to the current situation as possible. 

Your Module Leader will tell you via Blackboard if you need to take any remote exams. You'll also have scheduled dates for your exams.

Check here for any exams that you are due to be sitting at the upcoming exam periods. Please remember to check this periodically as occasionally it is necessary to change your exam date.

Your Blackboard module shells (or other places mentioned by Module Leaders) will contain details of assessments you must take. Also keep a regular check on your DMU email for the latest information. 

Please ensure that you have read the specific instructions and guidance from each Module Leader/Tutor. If you have any questions, contact your Module Leader/Tutor before the examination day.

In some modules, exams are now replaced with alternative assessments. Please check all the exam information on Blackboard so you're aware of all assessment methods. For any questions, please contact your Module Leader(s) or Programme Leader as soon as possible

We expect you to take your remote exam in your home environment. If you feel this is not possible, contact your Student Advice Centre by no later than 16 April to discuss your concerns.

Before your examination date, decide where you are going to be when you take the exam. You should think about: 

• Is this a quiet space with minimal disturbances? 
• Will you have everything you need? 
• Does this space have an appropriate and reliable internet connection?
• If there's a problem on the day of the exam, do you know who to contact?

If you need to travel to the place where you intend to take the exam, check local details about whether travel is permitted under current Covid-19 restrictions.

If travel is allowed, allow suitable time to make the journey and settle yourself ready to start the examination. Think about this arrangement as being the same as a formal on-campus examination.

• Students who haven’t booked a space with their Student Advice Centre will not be permitted to take their remote exam on campus.
• We will book you into a specific time window; either 8am-12.30pm or 1.30-6pm
• You must leave the space at the end of the booked period (no exceptions)
• We will book you into a specific room
• You must wear a face covering at all times (unless exempt)
• No hot food is permitted, or any food or drink that could negatively impact those around you
• If you bring your own computer to the remote exam, you are responsible for making sure it's charged and suitable for the examination
• You must follow the room monitors’ instructions, including scanning Safe Trace. 

You access your remote (i.e. online) exams through the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment.

If you don't have access to Blackboard, contact ITMS Service Desk as soon as possible to resolve the matter. Email itmsservicedesk@dmu.ac.uk or phone on +44 (0) 116 250 6050, or 0116 250 6050 if you are in the UK. The ITMS Service Desk will be available from 8am-6pm during exam working weeks. 

An Out of Hours IT Service Desk operates 24 hours a day, seven days per week through the phone numbers above. It can resolve limited IT issues, including resetting passwords. This does not include resolving Blackboard or PC issues outside of the examination window.

If you don't have access to Blackboard, contact ITMS Service Desk as soon as possible to resolve the matter. Email itmsservicedesk@dmu.ac.uk or phone on +44 (0) 116 250 6050, or 0116 250 6050 if you are in the UK. The ITMS Service Desk will be available from 8am-6pm during exam working weeks. 

An Out of Hours IT Service Desk operates 24 hours a day, seven days per week through the phone numbers above. It can resolve limited IT issues, including resetting passwords. This does not include resolving Blackboard or PC issues outside of the examination window.

Access to start remote exams will be available for a set period of time. We call this the ‘Examination Window’. The Examination Window is the period when you can start an exam. 

Your module Blackboard shell will have the link to the remote exam. 

The exam will be available on the scheduled day and only during the Examination Window.

Examination Windows will be 8am-6pm UK time on the date scheduled. 

Please note that the Examination Window does not mean the length of time available to complete your exam. We call this the Examination Completion Period.

You must complete remote exams within a set duration of time. We call this the Examination Completion Period. You must ensure you watch the time and submit your essay before your Completion Period ends as otherwise your exam will be considered not to be submitted.

If you are entitled to extra time (Individual Exam Arrangements), this will be automatically added to your Examination Completion Period. 

Your Module Leader/Tutor will give details about the Examination Completion Period in your module Blackboard shell. Please see your module-specific information so you understand how your examination will work.

Make sure you complete and submit your exam by 6pm UK time. This means that you must begin your exam early enough to allow this. 

For example: 

• If your exam is two hours long, begin no later than 4pm UK time
• If it's three hours long then no later than 3pm UK time, and so on. 

 

Please be aware that IT and Module Leader/Tutor support is not available after 6pm UK time.

The Examination Completion Period begins when you begin your exam. In all cases, it ends when the duration of the exam has passed. 

For example: if your exam is two hours long and you begin at 10am UK time, the clock will stop at noon UK time. You must ensure you have submitted the exam within this duration.

By submitting your examination, you are confirming that: 

• Your effort is an individual effort
• Entirely your own work 
• And you have not engaged in bad academic practice and/or an academic offence. 

For more information, see Chapter 4 of the General Regulations and Procedures Affecting Students 2020-21. 

Please note: 

• Full disciplinary regulations apply to any cheating behaviour. This includes possible referral to an Academic Offences Panel, which has the authority to dismiss you from the university.
• A sample of exam submissions will be subject to similarity testing. This may include running it through Turnitin software.

If your exam paper is 'open book', you will have access to sources of factual information. The scope and nature of the sources you may use will be in the examination rubric, including the use of your own notes. 

Please remember that the following actions are against academic regulations: 

• Cutting and pasting information from an internet source, or; 
• Reproducing text word-for-word without referencing (also known as citation). 

You should only submit work using your own words with a reference to the sources that influenced your thinking. 

It may not be a good use of time within the examination window to try to access such sources. Instead, we recommend that you: 

• Access and prepare any material you might need before the exam date, and; 
• Focus on answering the examination questions within the examination window.

DMU will use standard university methods to ensure that the remote exam assessment process has been conducted fairly and under agreed processes and procedures. These include moderation, Turnitin software, and external examiner scrutiny. Please see the DMU Bad academic practice webpage to find out more.

Whereas in spring 2020 we had to make the move to online exams very suddenly with no time to prepare, the upcoming exam period balances the need for flexibility with the requirement that exams are conducted rigorously and fairly. The extended access window of 8:00am-6:00pm UK time recognises that not every student is able to begin their online exam at the same time for a variety of reasons, for example, caring responsibilities. DMU has been planning for an online exam period since November and online exams have been designed to be able to be completed within a set period of time, as in any exam period.

Yes. A full student consultation was undertaken in collaboration with De Montfort Students’ Union in October. As part of this consultation we presented students with the opportunity to share their opinions on how they wanted examinations to run and the vast majority agreed that DMU should plan for an online exam period.

No, in most cases you don’t. All your exams will be conducted remotely/online through our Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). There are a limited number of modules where Turnitin will also be used; please consult your ML.

We expect all students to take their remote exam in their home environment. However, if you feel this is not possible, you must contact your Student Advice Centre by no later than 16 April. Some students may then be permitted to take their remote examination in a designated on-campus space (non-invigilated).

Here are the nine essential things to check before an exam:

1. Check that you have access to Blackboard before the exam date. Report any issues immediately to the ITMS Service Desk via email or phone on +44 (0) 116 250 6050, or 0116 250 6050 if you are in the UK.

2. Consult Blackboard for details of the assessments you need to take. 

3. Ensure that you have read the specific instructions and guidance from each Module Leader/Tutor. If you have any questions, contact your Module Leader/Tutor before the exam day.

4. Make sure that you have consulted all instructions on Blackboard. This includes availability and contact details of Module Leaders/Tutors (or nominees) in case of queries.

5. Check the examination schedule for any exams that you are due to take in the upcoming examination periods.

6. If appropriate, ensure you are aware of your Individual Examination Arrangements and how these apply to your exams.

7. Check your DMU email regularly for the most up to date information. 

8. Revise for your examinations as you would normally do in advance of sitting the exam. 

9. Think about where and when you will sit the exam, and that you have access to the resources/facilities you need.

Make sure you have everything ready:

• Charge any battery-powered devices to 100% and that you have the mains adapter and a suitable electric socket that you can access.
• You may need a suitable calculator or other device to perform numerical calculations. Please check Blackboard for details of what you'll need and what's permitted for your exam.

As DMU uses Office 365 we ask you to use either Office 365 file types (i.e.: Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or PDFs. Please see Blackboard for further details. 

If you need support using Office 365 software, see Office 365 Student Support.

Make sure all updates to your computer’s operating system, software and anti-virus scans are complete before the start of the exam. This will help avoid unexpected updates happening during the exam itself. 

The following may be useful as you prepare for exams:

• DMU Library and Learning Services Support Online
• Healthy DMU
• DMU Spring Back

The Disability Advice & Support team or Wellbeing Team will confirm your Individual Exam Arrangements. If you are entitled to Individual Exam Arrangements, the Exams team will email full details in April. This will include details of extra time and rest breaks that will be factored in.

You must not communicate with anyone about the examination content while you are taking the exam with the exception of ITMS Service Desk or your Module Leader/Tutor. This includes family and friends, other students, Library and Learning Services, or outside agencies. Doing so is a major academic offence and DMU will investigate and treat it as such if it's discovered or reported.

We also strongly recommend that you switch off any social media channels when sitting your exam(s). 

For more information, see the Bad academic practice webpage.

If you need to type an answer, please remember to save your work regularly. We recommend at least every 20 minutes while logged in. 

If your exam requires you to write text-based answers into Blackboard, we strongly recommend that: 

• You type your answers to the examination questions into a separate Word document, and;
• Copy and paste these answers into the exam paper itself. 

You must ensure that you are only cutting and pasting your answers to the specific examination questions. For more information, see Chapter 4 of the General Regulations and Procedures Affecting Students 2020-21. 

Writing in a Word document to start with is also recommended in case you experience technical problems when submitting your answers.

Handwritten answers are not acceptable.

If you have an account or password issue on the day of the examination, you should contact the ITMS Service Desk via email (itmsservicedesk@dmu.ac.uk) or phone on +44 (0) 116 250 6050 or 0116 250 6050 if you are in the UK. The Service Desk will be available from 8am-6pm during the examinations working week. 

If you have technical issues on the day of the examination, and you can't resolve these problems within the exam window, please: 

• Keep a detailed note of the time and type of problem 
• Record any evidence available to you (e.g. take photos or videos showing the problem).

Examples of technical problems include: 

• Loss of internet connection 
• Power loss
• Faulty devices
• Corrupted file upload, or similar 

If this means you can't complete the exam within the time allowed, you must tell the appropriate Module Leader/Tutor as soon as possible. 

If you have problems uploading your exam answers to Blackboard within the exam window, please upload your answers as a PDF file to OneDrive. 

Instructions on how to do this are on the Supporting your Learning page of the DMU Library and Learning Services website and at Support 365 OneDrive upload.

Once you have uploaded your exam answers as a PDF file to OneDrive, contact the appropriate Module Leader/Tutor immediately with the OneDrive link. 

If this does not work, you must email your completed exam answer file to the appropriate Module Leader/Tutor immediately. This will be evidence that you completed the exam within the time allowed.

Academic queries include issues such as a possible error on the examination paper, or how a question is presented or formatted.

Please contact the appropriate Module Leader (or the nominated examination contact shown on the Blackboard module shell) immediately. 

Your Module Leader (or nominee) will be available from 8am-6 pm UK time on the day of your exam. 

While awaiting a response, continue to attempt the questions to the best of your ability. Add a note to your answer explaining the issue with the question. Include a reference to the time that you contacted the Module Leader (or nominee). 

The Module Leader (or nominee) will under no circumstances be able to tell you about the technical content of questions, or advise you how to proceed with your answer.

Any errors in the examination paper/questions will be considered in the marking of the examination. Check Blackboard for details of how to contact the Module Leader (or nominee) and their availability during the examination period.

If you cannot reach your Module Leader/Tutor (or nominee), don’t worry. Please note your query on the exam and continue with the question.

All students should consult Blackboard ahead of their scheduled exam for any module-specific guidance.

In case of serious emergencies (earthquake, fire, or similar) you should stop working and reach safety. Once safe, you should notify your Module Leader/Tutor by email as soon as possible. Also copy in your Personal Tutor and Student Advice Centre to this message. 

If you have any unforeseen issue on the day of the exam you should attempt to resolve this wherever possible, and as long as it remains safe to do so. 

If it's not possible to resolve the issue in a way that enables you to complete the exam, you can apply for a deferral. There is guidance about deferrals on the Student Gateway and Your DMU Future: Frequently Asked Questions.

You should ensure that you submit your exam answers before the end of the Examination Window at 6pm UK time on the day of your exam. IT and academic support will not be available past 6pm UK time.

You must submit your exam before your Completion Period ends to ensure you are not timed out.

It's also your responsibility that you submit your document/material in the format requested.

Please be aware that if you access your exam and you are working past 6pm UK time, IT and Module Leader/Tutor support will not be available.

If the examiner cannot access your examination answers, the submission will not be marked.

If you have any doubt about whether your exam answers have been submitted or are in a readable format, see the above FAQ: What should I do if I have a technical problem on the day of the exam?

If you are ill and unable to start or continue the exam on the scheduled date you should first seek appropriate medical advice. 

Once you are feeling well enough, and as soon as possible, you should apply for deferral of the examination. 

There is guidance about deferrals on the Student Gateway and Your DMU Future: Frequently Asked Questions.

In response to the ongoing impact of the extended Covid-19 lockdown on your learning and teaching, we’ve announced our new ‘safety-net’ policy.

DMU is committed to helping you reach your academic potential and protecting the academic standards, rigour and lasting quality of your learning outcomes and your eventual degree. The experiences of the last academic year meant we had already built in adjustments to modes of teaching, exams and assessments for this academic year’s flexible learning and teaching. However, the latest national lockdown has brought new personal and academic challenges.

Therefore, we’ve created a safety-net policy that considers your individual circumstances. The policy comes into effect immediately and supports students who have experienced a mix of on-campus and online learning while managing the challenges of extended lockdown.

UG students bite size regulations overview
PG students bite size regulations overview

Should you need more time to complete an assessment due to lockdown-related disruption, you can request an extension by completing an ‘extension to coursework’ application form and submitting it to your module leader for approval before the original deadline. You may be granted up to 14 extra calendar days.

If your reason is Covid-related (for example if you contracted Covid-19, are isolating, shielding, have key-worker status or caring duties, or are unable to access specialist spaces), there is no need for you to provide evidence of this.

Read the full safety-net policy.

For all deadlines from 11 February onwards, the normal penalty for late submission will not be applied for submissions up to five calendar days late where IT, personal or academic issues associated with lockdown are the reason. This should be agreed and recorded by the module leader. In all other cases, the standard regulations and penalties apply.

Read the full safety-net policy.

Normally, where you have been reassessed in one or more assessment tasks within a module, the mark for the overall module would be capped at the pass mark. However, in the 2020-21 academic year, reassessments will be treated as a first attempt and the module mark(s) will not be capped. This regulation applies only to reassessments granted in the course of the 2020/21 academic year and only where the first attempt at the assessment has been taken.

If you fail as a result of non-submission, the standard regulations will apply and at reassessment the module will be capped at the pass mark.

If you fail the reassessment, you will be given a further opportunity for reassessment, if you have opportunities still available, but the normal reassessment regulations will then apply and the overall module will be capped at the pass mark.

Read the full safety-net policy.

The safety-net policy should be read alongside the Academic regulations 2020-21: www.dmu.ac.uk/scheme-regulations

Safety-net student scenarios table

No. You will have the usual volume of reassessment credits as outlined in the academic regulations for taught programmes.

No, you must have attempted all assessments in a module in order to be eligible for an uncapped reassessment.

If you have no module failure below 30%, have reassessment opportunities available and are not at your expected point of graduation, you may be reassessed in a compensated module. If you have submitted work for all assessment components of the module at the first attempt, the module mark will not be capped on reassessment.

No. If you submitted work for all the module assessment components at the first attempt, you will be eligible for an uncapped reassessment.

Students studying at level 5 in 2020/21 will have 30 credits’ worth of module marks discounted from the classification algorithm rather than 15. This will mean that the final award, whenever made, will be calculated on the best 90 credits at level 5 and best 105 credits at level 6. This applies only to students undertaking level 5 for the first time in 2020/21 and not to those undertaking level 5 reassessments in the current year.

Students studying at level 5 or level 6 on Integrated Master’s programmes in 2020/21 will have an additional 15 credits discounted. This means that the final award, whenever made, will be calculated on the best 210 credits at level 5 and level 6, and the best 105 credits at level 7.

For this academic year only, in calculating your degree classification we will choose your best outcome from either the current weighting of 3:1 in favour of Level 6 or a weighting 2:1 in favour of Level 6. For students on Integrated Master’s, this will apply to your Level 7 outcomes.

Read the full safety-net policy.

No. The safety-net policy was introduced in response to the additional disruptions brought about by the latest lockdown. As you will be studying half of the level next academic year, it is anticipated that this will mitigate the impact on your level 5 performance.

No. The safety-net policy was introduced in response to the additional disruptions brought about by the latest lockdown. As you will be studying half of the level next academic year, it is anticipated that this will mitigate the impact on your level 6 performance.

Yes, the safety-net policy will be applicable as appropriate to the level of study you are currently undertaking.

We have committed to consider all assessment-deferral requests from students on their own merits.

You will need to send a deferral request to your faculty student advice centre. Third-party evidence will not be needed; however, we strongly recommend that you consult the student advice centre to discuss your circumstances before making a deferral request.

If granted, you will be expected to take your assessments at the next available opportunity. If this is not possible for Covid-related reasons, you should make another deferral request.

Read the full safety-net policy.

Some of these regulations might not be applicable for programmes regulated by PSRBs. We are still consulting with PSRBs and will update on this as soon as we can. Your faculty, particularly your faculty student advice centre or programme leader, will be able to advise you.

Read the full safety-net policy.

We know how much hard work you’ve put in and we encourage you to strive to achieve your best results despite the circumstances. If you need more support, the faculty student advice centres (SACs) and your programme and module leaders are available to help if you have any queries or concerns.

The situation is very different to last year when we first announced a no-detriment policy and brings new complexities and considerations to deal with. For example, there will be students who have now had two academic years impacted, others may not have completed enough assessments to enable a no-detriment policy such as last year’s to be applied. We also need to mitigate any potential for unfair grade inflation. We want to protect the academic standards and rigour of your learning outcomes and your eventual degree, so that you can rely on the lasting quality of your award. We had also already built in adjustments to the modes of teaching, exams and assessments for this academic year’s flexible learning and teaching. We are taking into account the individual circumstances of each student rather than a one-size fits all approach.

Many aspects of mitigation have been embedded in courses as a matter of routine as we prepared for and have progressed throughout the academic year. Across our four faculties, some work has already happened in relation to this and in response to student feedback. You can also contact your module leader or Associate Dean Academic for more examples of adjustments and wider changes to teaching, exams and assessments.

Extensions to assessment deadlines do not apply to exams and time-constrained assessments. If you feel unable to complete the exam at the time indicated, you should make an application for a deferral.

No, only students who have attempted the assessment and failed will be eligible for an uncapped reassessment.

No, reassessments following an academic offence will be capped in line with the standard regulations.

No. If you have passed the module you are not able to have a reassessment. If you have concerns or are experiencing difficulties in completing your assessments, you could consider applying for an extension to a coursework deadline or a deferral. There are people you can speak to in your faculty who can support and advise you on making this decision prior to the assessment submission date. These include staff at the student advice centre, your module leader, personal tutor or the faculty’s Associate Professor (Student Experience). The Safety Net Policy has been developed to provide mitigations where the extended lockdown has had a drastic impact on student performance. Where a student has achieved a pass mark, even one that they find disappointing, the Safety Net Policy is not an appropriate fall-back option. It is never the case that a student can retake an assessment if they feel the mark is lower than they expected, even though they have passed. In order to maintain rigorous academic standards and protect the value of your degrees, we cannot relax this element in the Safety Net Policy.

This year certain aspects of the university’s teaching, learning and assessment provision are being delivered through more flexible, digital methods but remain broadly equivalent to what would have been offered in a normal year. In 2021-22 we will continue to follow UK Government guidance and adopt measures to keep our students and staff safe. This may include offering some contact hours and other elements of our provision via online technology. We remain committed to excellent teaching and will support our students to progress in their studies and have the opportunity to reach their learning outcomes as part of their preparation for the future. Find out more about these measures on the Your DMU Future webpages.

Given the ongoing restrictions and physical distancing requirements needed to reduce the transmission risk of Covid-19 locally and nationally, and after consulting with the student community, DMU has decided that we will not be running any face-to-face exams during the 20/21 academic year. Therefore, exams (including resits) are to be held online.

Earlier in the year, the system we had in place was for 24-hour exam periods. However, following lessons learned in the spring and summer, student engagement and feedback and ongoing dialogue with De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU), we are currently reviewing our approach this time round.

We are currently working with faculties and module leaders to determine the optimum mode and process for online exams and assessments for their respective courses. A number of academic, structural and technical issues are also being considered to ensure all of our students receive a fair and robust mode of assessment. It’s our firm commitment you will all get the opportunity to achieve the outcomes you deserve.

Once arrangements are finalised we will communicate the final plans through our regular student channels and issue guidance to support you on the exams webpage. As normal, examination schedules will be published on MyDMU and your module leader or module tutor on Blackboard can also provide information on when you are expected to take your examinations.

We have reviewed our teaching to consider the IT requirements that are necessary for students to successfully complete their studies. We have expanded the provision of software that we provide to students and developed technical solutions, such as remote access to laboratories. We recognise that some students may have difficulties in accessing an appropriate computing device to enable them to complete their studies. We have worked with colleagues in student support to identify those students with greatest need, and where necessary will work to provide students with access to computing resources.

We know that university is a significant investment in your future and for you personally, so we work extremely hard to ensure we offer value for money in all that we do.

We have been determined to ensure that, while observing the national restrictions required by the Government to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and following government guidance, we are still offering students the teaching they require to provide the opportunity to achieve learning outcomes and progress in their studies.

Central to our planning are two important principles: firstly, the health and safety of our staff and students is paramount, and secondly, a strong commitment to ensuring that the teaching, learning and support we offer is broadly equivalent to our usual offering, so that our students are able to receive high-quality education.

Through a combination of pre-recorded online lectures, live online teaching, and on-campus teaching where this is possible (considering social distancing and lockdown requirements), all students still have a full portfolio of teaching. We have worked to make sure that students have as much access as possible to the expertise of our highly-skilled academic staff and technicians, within the government restrictions.

This has involved the hard and dedicated work of our lecturers and support staff – including librarians, student advisers, welfare officers, ITMS, security, estates management, lab technicians, student recruitment officers, international student support and many more.

We’re also working hard to ensure all our students have the opportunity to access a wide range of specialist resources and subject-specific software, collaborative tools and digital platforms, student support around careers and placements, health and wellbeing, finance and library and learning resources. We have invested in additional resources, including extra electronic databases, LinkedIn Learning provision and writing support via Studiosity. We have also significantly increased the number of computers and other IT equipment that we have available to students, including those in hardship.

We have also invested heavily in making sure our campus is as safe as possible for the thousands who have returned to campus from 5 January.

Our central priority is to ensure that the highest-possible quality of the student experience we can offer is made available to all students whatever wider restrictions are in place, and to give students value for the fees that they pay.

On this basis, all tuition fees will be as advertised on our website.

We, of course, continue to support the work of Universities UK, the representative organisation for universities, who are trying to a keep dialogue with Government open on this issue on behalf of the sector.

In addition, we continue to comply with the requirements of the Office for Students in offering broadly equivalent provision of a high quality, with reliable standards and the opportunity for positive outcomes for all students. We also continue to focus on maintaining the quantity and accessibility of the provision we have been able to offer during the pandemic.

In line with recommendations from the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA), if you have any concerns around the provision we have offered, in the first instance we would encourage you to raise your initial concerns with your module or programme lead, or your personal tutor to try to find a resolution that is acceptable to all. If you have trouble contacting the person you wish to speak to please ask your Student Advice Centre for help.

If this is not possible, you can access the university complaints process. Students who wish to raise a complaint should in the first instance complete the complaint webform on our website. There is more information about this process on our student complaints procedure page.

If you remain dissatisfied with the decision of the university once the complaints process has been completed, you can seek a review by the OIA. The OIA has useful guidance on tuition fees on its coronavirus FAQ section.

While overseas DMU Global opportunities are not currently possible, the university will review Government advice, and if travel is permitted, we hope to offer a small number of extra-curricular opportunities in the early summer of 2021.

Provided this is possible and that you are eligible, you will be able to apply the DMU Global High Flyers Award to one of these trips, as it is valid for your entire first year of study. Further information is available on the DMU Global FAQs page.

From term one, students will be able to participate in our full range of campus-based activities. You can learn a foreign language, including Mandarin, French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Arabic. Students can also participate in other opportunities such as Teach English as a Foreign Language Training (TEFL) and the DMU Global Intercultural Awareness Certificate.

New for the 2020/21 academic year, we will also be launching DMU Global Online Learning which will offer students the chance to engage and learn about a range of global topics in a virtual environment, without the need to travel.

Please liaise in the first instance with your placement tutor.

If you are on a placement year, your main point of contact is your placement tutor. You will already have received communication directly from them. Stay in touch with them if you have questions or need advice. You can also contact the placement team based in your faculty.

Students on HLS placements should look out for information sent by their link tutor or usual placement academic contact, and the HLS placement team.

If you are looking for a placement, we recommend seeking the help of your faculty-based placement team, which can help you with identifying placements you could apply for, writing a good application, and preparing for the specific types of interviews and assessments used by different employers.

It is important to get this personalised and specialist support, rather than try to apply on your own. Employers have moved their application processes onto virtual platforms and therefore you will benefit from preparation and guidance on how to succeed in these online processes.

To get in touch with your faculty-based placement team, contact:

• ADH: adhplacements@dmu.ac.uk
• BAL: businessplacements@dmu.ac.uk
• CEM: cemplacements@dmu.ac.uk
• HLS: hlsplacements@dmu.ac.uk

We’re sorry if you feel dissatisfied or disadvantaged by anything in light of the current situation. If you’d like to make a complaint about anything relating to Covid-19, please email us at acasupportoffice@dmu.ac.uk and we will look into this for you as soon as possible. You can find out more on our student complaints procedure page.

To ensure that we are able to deliver a safe learning and teaching environment, you will be required to wear a face mask during face-to-face teaching sessions. We have taken this decision because it will enable us to deliver as much face-to-face teaching as is possible in line with social distancing guidelines.

All students will be provided with two re-usable face masks. It is important that you always bring your face mask when you come to campus as it is your responsibility to protect yourself and others from the further transmission of Covid-19.

We recognise that in some instances, students and staff may not be able to wear a face covering. You can find our full guidance on our dedicated face coverings web page.

The current UK Government guidelines state that in England, outdoor gatherings - including in gardens - are allowed with up to six people or two households of any size. A support bubble counts as one household. Children of all ages are included in the count. Professional carers are not - as long as they are working. You still need to keep two metres from any one you don't live with, or are in a social bubble with.

If you see instances of rule breaking at your accommodation please report it to our Security team by calling 0116 257 7642.

We have made extensive plans to make the campus as safe as possible, as well as ensuring we comply with – or exceed – Government guidelines and the wider advice from national bodies such as the NHS and Public Health England (PHE). We have outlined what we have put in place on our health and safety measures page.

Please take some time to read through these, as we will also ask you to play your part by complying with all necessary measures to ensure everyone can have the best DMU experience possible.

All DMU-owned and nominated halls will be following the relevant government guidelines. Increased cleaning of reception areas, common rooms, corridors and laundry rooms will be maintained throughout your stay, including detailed cleaning of all access readers, touchpoints, rails and handles.

Social distancing measures have been implemented in public spaces as well as procedures to promote good hand hygiene. Our priority is to create and maintain a safe environment for our students and staff. For more information about the advice, guidance and measures DMU is taking regarding accommodation, see the Your DMU Safety accommodation page.

Following UK Government guidance, we have created a clear plan to follow in the event that a case of Covid-19 case is diagnosed on campus. You can find out more information about this on our confirmed case management page.

We are also working closely with Leicester City Council and its Director of Public Health on these matters. We have implemented DMU Safe Trace, our test-and-trace system, which we ask for all students and staff to use by scanning a QR code on their smartphones when entering and exiting university buildings. This is so we can contact students and staff who have come into contact with any potential cases on campus.

Please check our regularly updated case tracker to see the most recent figures.

For those of you who are in Leicester, now we have entered into step two of the Government’s lockdown easing process, as of 12 April, more campus facilities are open, including the QEII Leisure Centre. This means students can gain access to the swimming pool and gym in the leisure centre. Find out more on the QEII web page.

Follow DMUsport social media for details on free activities to get involved in Term 3, following all government guidelines.

Please read our latest statement on graduation ceremonies.

The health and wellbeing of our students has always been of the utmost importance to us, but especially so during this time when we are responding to the challenges of Covid-19. DMU already has a wide range of support and resources to help you prioritise your wellbeing during your time with us and beyond and we are working on enhancing these to make sure that whatever support you need, we are there for you.

The Healthy DMU Hub is a one-stop-shop for students to find out more about managing their health and wellbeing at university. You can find support on mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing and other handy top tips to support you in your adjustment to university life.

The Government advice if you have any of the symptoms of coronavirus – that is either a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change of your sense of taste or smell – is to get tested as soon as possible, and to self-isolate for at least ten days. You can find more information on the NHS website.

If you live with someone who has the symptoms of Covid-19, which are a high temperature or a new, continuous cough, you should self-isolate for at least 10 days. You may need to self-isolate for more than 10 days if you get symptoms while self-isolating or your symptoms do not go away.

If you need to self-isolate it is important you let the university know you will be unable to attend lectures and seminars for the duration of your self-isolation period.

You can do this by contacting your faculty Student Advice Centre (SACs) as soon as you are able.

If you have to self-isolate at any point during the term there will be support and advice available from the university.

In the first instance, we would ask any student who has been advised to self-isolate to look at the latest NHS advice.

We recognise the significant challenges that students could face in such situations, both in practical aspects and also how this could affect their mental health. For more information about how we will support you if you need to self-isolate, please visit our support during self-isolation page.

If you are a student who needs to self-isolate it is important you let the university know you will be unable to attend lectures and seminars for the duration of your self-isolation period.

You can do this by contacting your faculty Student Advice Centre (SACs) as soon as you are able.

DMU has been putting lots of measures and guidance in place to make our campus as safe and secure as possible by observing Government and PHE health and safety guidelines and protocols to the best of our ability. You can find out more about these safety measures on the Your DMU Safety webpages.

The health and wellbeing of our students and staff is of paramount importance to us. While we want to offer as much reassurance and confidence as possible to anyone concerned or anxious about returning to campus for the new academic year, we cannot 100 per cent guarantee safety from contracting the virus on campus, which includes public highways that are outside of our control. We all have an active role and shared responsibility in protecting ourselves and each other. To find out more about this please follow our Health and Safety Principles and join our Shared commitment to keeping each other safe.

Any student who has an ongoing or significant health or disability-related concern which may affect their attendance at university should contact the DAS (disability@dmu.ac.uk) or our Mental Health team (wellbeing@dmu.ac.uk), who will discuss the situation with you and consider what support or adjustments can be put in place.

As ever, the HealthyDMU Hub is available to support your health and wellbeing at DMU. It will provide you with information about staying well, and how to book appointments with the Student Welfare Team. 

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed it will give individual schools and colleges the option to decide whether to continue with BTEC exams in 2021. Therefore, we would encourage all BTEC students to speak directly with their school or college to clarify whether their exams will take place this year.

Pearson, the examining body for BTEC qualifications, has reassured students that where exams cannot take place due to Covid-19, alternative measures will be put in place to ensure they are not disadvantaged. They may be offered an opportunity to sit their exams at a later date or, if this is not possible, Pearson has confirmed that students due to complete their studies in 2021 will still receive their BTEC certificate by producing evidence of their work.

We expect Ofqual to confirm how grades will be awarded to private candidates in the coming days. The exam boards are still waiting for details from the Government, once the exam boards receive this information, it is then sent to exam centres.

We have been assured the regulator of Ofqual has drawn up a range of contingency options and further consultations will begin this week, that will allow all students to progress fairly.

Once Ofqual has completed its consultation period and published further guidance we will update accordingly. We also advise that you check the latest UCAS guidance.

The health, safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority, so please rest assured that we are following the Government’s advice and guidance to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and protect anyone who could be at risk.

We are accepting new applications as normal, and will do everything we can to ensure students are still able to register on our programmes this year. In the unlikely scenario that we are required to make any changes to our programmes, deadlines or entry requirements, we will keep you posted.

Please email studentvisaenquiries@dmu.ac.uk and our friendly team will be happy to help you.

We understand the challenges students are currently facing. If you are unable to provide certificates or transcripts please contact our admissions team and let them know of any difficulties.

Due to Covid-19 the service offered by UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) has been disrupted. For updates to the status of VACs in your country, contact:

• TLS contact if you’re in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
• VFS global for all other countries

If you can’t travel to campus in time for the start of the programme, we want to reassure you that you will have the option of a high-quality remote programme start.

If you have your visa but can’t travel to the UK during the validity of your 30-day entry clearance visa, we encourage you to get in touch with your education agent or the regional team in our friendly International Office for visa support and guidance for your country.

We have expanded the range of online English tests that we are able to accept, including IELTS Indicator and TOEFL iBT ‘Home Edition’.

We also offer an internal English test (DATE test) which is completely free and now available online. If you require a DATE test, please get in touch with us with your student ID and we will help you further.

Our Central Admissions team are working to provide all students with their CAS as soon as possible. In order to be eligible, you must have met all conditions of your offer of admission – including having paid your deposit.

Please be patient: we have thousands of students who need a CAS and our Admissions Team will be working to get these to you as quickly as possible. You are not able to make a Tier 4 application more than three months before your programme start date so no CAS will be produced earlier than that.

Where researchers and research students are able to work from home, they should do so, but those who require access to specialist facilities for their work should be able to do so. Anyone affected should discuss this guidance with their line manager or research supervisor.

We have developed a handbook specifically for Postgraduate Research students. Please take a look.

There are several options to choose from if you feel that Covid-19 and the attendant issues are affecting your ability to do research:

If you are working remotely please continue with your regular supervisory meetings in an online capacity. You will need to discuss this with your supervisors.

If your research entails work in laboratories or studios, please liaise with your supervisory team about access. There are a number of risk assessments and safety protocols in place to ensure your safety in returning to these spaces.

If your data collection involves human participants, talk with your supervisor for advice on possible virtual methods of data collection. Changes to your methodological approach and your research instrument may need further faculty research ethical approval.

If you are an international student who returned home when the outbreak first occurred, you may have decided to return to Leicester. Please notify us through email at monthlyprogressreports@dmu.ac.uk, and speak to your supervisors.

We are regularly updating our Research Student Community Blackboard space which features recordings, slides, and other resources linked to our researcher development programme. To find the pages, go to blackboard.dmu.ac.uk and sign in. Scroll down to the ‘My Communities’ section and select ‘Research Student Community’. There are some online resources available providing guidance on conducting research when a pandemic is on, such as ‘doing fieldwork in a pandemic'. For NHS-related data collection, see COVID-19: Guidance for Sponsors, Sites and Researchers.

In all cases, please keep in touch with your supervisor. If you are changing the direction of your research, or even making tweaks to your research design, there may be implications for your ethics application that you will need to consider with your supervisor.

All key progression events, including a First Project Review, Formal Review, Probation Review or Annual Review, have been taking place online. Again, a change to face-to-face delivery of these progression events will be communicated to you via your supervisory team.

If you are in your final year and able to continue with writing up your thesis but this has been delayed due to the current climate, you are able to apply for an extension to registration. The two-month extension to registration is fee free.

To apply for the extension to registration, please speak to your lead supervisor first. Once this has been discussed please email monthlyprogressreports@dmu.ac.uk with your request for a two-month extension copying in your lead supervisor.

In the case of an interruption, your research programme will be paused and resume two months down the line. During this period, it is expected that you are not engaged with your research programme and will therefore not normally have access to university systems and resources but you will continue to have access to your DMU email address so that we can keep you updated during this period. You will not be charged fees for this period.

Financial implications for interruptions depend on the source of your funding. If you are in possession of a Doctoral Loan, the Student Loans Company will be informed of the interruptions and payments will pause until you return to your studies. Should you hold a university funded scholarship, your stipend payments over the interruption period will continue, and will continue as normal after the interruption and until the end of your bursary term extended by the period of the interruption.

If you are funded or sponsored by another body, you are advised to check with them to ascertain their expectations and support. If you are funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through one of the research councils, please look at the guidance they have issued.

To apply for an interruption, please speak to your lead supervisor first. Once this has been discussed please email monthlyprogressreports@dmu.ac.uk with your request for a two month interruption copying in your lead supervisor.

All PhD theses are now submitted electronically only.

The electronic submission requires a text-only thesis submission through Turnitin and a USB sent to the Doctoral College (posted, if drop-off is not possible). Given current circumstances, we are able to send you a link to Zend that will permit you to upload an electronic copy of the thesis, saving you the need to send us a USB version.

If either of the examiners requires a hard copy, we will coordinate this with your examiners.

Do keep your supervisors updated, so exam arrangements can be initiated. Vivas are successfully being undertaken. If current conditions continue, it will be a viva by Skype, Blackboard Collaborate or Zoom or other video link. Vivas can now be undertaken face-to-face if possible – this may depend on the examiners’ needs as well as your own. Please discuss the viva setting with your supervisory team for details on whether it will be an online or face-to-face viva.

If you have corrections to submit, you should still follow the current process: send corrections and related documentation to the Doctoral College via researchstudents@dmu.ac.uk.