ACADEMIC LIFE
Examinations and the attendance requirement
Read the course assessment and attendance rules at the start of each term. They may differ from your previous institution and from one course type to another.
In this guide
How a course grade is usually built
A course may combine examinations, coursework, projects, practical work and participation. Read the syllabus for the weight of each component and any minimum result needed in a final or practical assessment. Make-up and resit opportunities are institution- and course-specific; confirm eligibility and application deadlines before relying on them.
The attendance requirement is a condition, not advice
Attendance requirements can differ between lectures, laboratories, clinical practice and preparatory study. The consequences of absence, including possible examination ineligibility, come from the applicable regulation and course rules. Check how attendance is recorded and how excused absence is considered; a medical report or official appointment is not automatically accepted in every course.
Plan for appointments and unexpected absence
Official appointments, illness and travel can affect attendance. When possible, tell the relevant office or instructor in advance, ask for the formal procedure and keep supporting documents. If circumstances prevent advance notice, contact them promptly afterwards. Do not treat the absence allowance as a target to use up.
Practical examination rules to confirm early
A handful of procedural points are worth establishing before your first examination period rather than during it.
- Whether student identification is required to enter an examination
- What the procedure is if you miss an examination through illness, and what documentation is accepted
- Whether a makeup examination exists for a missed midterm, and who grants it
- How and within what period you can object to a grade
- Whether dictionaries or calculators are permitted, and in which courses
A FEW MORE ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions
Can I be excused for a residence permit appointment?
Ask which office decides absence or make-up requests and submit the appointment evidence within its stated deadline. Advance notice is useful, but approval depends on the applicable rules and decision.
Is the resit examination available for every course?
Check the regulation and the rules for that course. A resit may exclude particular assessment types or require attendance and other conditions; confirm eligibility and dates before relying on it.
Sources & references
Use the linked source for current requirements. The dates below record when each source was checked.
Plan your next step.
Bring your questions about programs, documents or settling in to a MEC Education advisor.