Sept 2015 - Aug 2016
CHSS Visiting Student Office
PERSONAL TUTOR HANDBOOK
BACKGROUND
THE CHSS VISITING STUDENT OFFICE (VSO) A team of 6 based in David Hume Tower: A Head, a Senior Visiting Student Advisor, four Visiting Student Advisors. .
UNDERGRADUATE VISITING STUDENTS • Students who study at the University for 1 or 2 semesters, acquiring credits for their degree at their home university.
•Students on the Semester 1, Semester 2 & Summer Parliamentary Programmes.
VISISTING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FALL INTO FOUR CATEGORIES:
1.
ERASMUS EXCHANGE
EU
Fee waivers
Subject Specific exchange
Departmental Exchange
Non-EU
Fee waivers
Subject Specific exchange
International exchange
Non-EU
Fee waivers
University wide exchange
International independents
Non-EU
Fee paying
University wide non-exchange
THE VISITING STUDENT OFFICE
VISITING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS Of the non-EU students, the largest four nationalities are: US (68%), China 7%, Canada (7%), Australia (6%) The VSO deals with around 1300 students over the course of an academic year. Roughly split into 40% Semenster 1, 33% Semester 2, 27% Full Year
THE ROLE OF THE VISITING STUDENT OFFICE (VSO) Pre and post-arrival
On-course student support
Works with the International Office to recruit Visiting Students
Special Circumstances; (programme changes between colleges, withdrawals, reductions/extensions); transfer students; signpost students to University departments and local services; liaise with Study Abroad providers, partners and home institutions on behalf of the student.
From the point of application the VSO processes admissions based on: Official academic transcript from their home institution; academic reference; personal statement; English language (if required); Eligibility for courses. Deals with Learning Agreements; attendance certificates; course enrolments; allocation of Personal Tutors Academic Inductions; Course enrolments; Attendance confirmation
2.
THE ROLE OF THE PERSONAL TUTOR
PERSONAL TUTOR Visiting Student Personal Tutors (VSPT) play a key role in acclimatising students to the University of Edinburgh. The VSPT is the primary source of academic support and is key to providing pastoral support along with the VSO.
The VSO is a student support office and as such it is not only here to support the Visiting Student but the VSPT and any other member of staff who have contact with Visiting Students.
During the first weeks of the semester, the VSPT is expected to perform the same tasks as required for a UoE degree student:
If there is any doubt about how to proceed with an issue, then do not hesitate to contact the VSO.
• Ensure they are fully matriculated.
• Meet with each of the Visiting Students on a 1-to-1 basis.
• Enrolling students on courses.
Students may wish to enrol in or change courses. VSPTs may make straightforward 1st and 2nd year course changes. Other course changes should be referred to the VSO. Before any course changes are made, please refer to the following:
01
Honours Courses
Students wishing to be registered for 3rd year (Honours level) courses must meet the prerequisite study requirements: • Be in their third year of university study. • Have previously completed at least 3 courses in that subject area, having achieved grades B or above. The exceptions are English Literature and Politics, where students must have previously completed at least 4 courses in that subject area, having achieved grades B or above. • Only consider university level study (courses taken during high school should not be considered).
3.
• If applicable, have an English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in each component.
COURSES AND CREDITS
02 Auditing courses Students are only permitted to audit courses if they have satisfied a number of conditions. Please ask the VSO for a Course Audit Request Form.
03 Postgraduate courses Visiting Students are not permitted to enrol in postgraduate courses in CHSS.
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05
All students who would like to take these courses must first take the University’s free English language test (TEAM: Test of English at Matriculation) during Welcome Week. Students who are ineligible for AEIS 1 & 2 can take a non-credit bearing course from a range of other English language courses: www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/ english-language-teaching
04 High pressure courses If a student wishes to be registered for any Honours courses in the following subject areas, please refer them to the VSO as there are strict prerequisites and quotas: •
English Literature
•
History
•
History of Art
•
Philosophy
•
Politics/International Relations
•
The Highland Bagpipe
•
Academic English for International Students (AEIS)
• Law
06
Foreign language courses
Students may be required to take a language test in the first lecture to determine if their proficiency is suitable for the course. This can be checked with the relevant Course Secretary.
Credit loading Students must take a full course load of 60 credits per semester. Any less than 40 credits will deems students part-time, causing serious consequences for those on certain scholarships and student visas. Any more than 60 credits will be too great a study load.
4.
ON COURSE
ON COURSE Visiting Students are treated in exactly the same way as UoE students and are subject to UoE regulations. After the first few of weeks of semester, tutees may rarely contact their PT. They may, however, be in touch about the following:
01 Special circumstances Visiting Students are advised to contact their PT or the VSO at the first sign of any personal or medical issues which may affect their academic performance. The VSO will work with tutees to complete all necessary paperwork and submit the case on the PTs behalf if requested.
02 Non-attendance & non-submission Any tutorial/seminar non-attendance or non-submission of coursework will be reported to the PT. This should be dealt with in the same manner as for any other student. If these issues are persistent, or there are serious concerns, then the VSO should be contacted. Non-attendance can have visa and immigration implications.
5.
ON COURSE
03 Assessment Alternative assessments cannot be arranged, unless due to Special Circumstances. If Visiting Students fail 1st or 2nd year courses which require August resits, the Overseas Examination Service is available. Requests must be made via the Student Administration website:
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/studentadministration/exams/oes
03 Transfers Occasionally Visiting Students enquire about transferring to UoE to complete their degree. Non-EU students should be referred to the VSO. EU students should be advised that a transfer is unlikely, but they can apply via UCAS by the annual January 15th deadline.
04
Grading
The grading system at UoE is detailed in the Academic Guide for Visiting Students and is likely to be different to what Visiting Students are used to. For suggested US and EU grading equivalents visit:
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/studentadministration/exams/regulations/creditallocation
6.