Academic engagement monitoring
As a Student visa Sponsor, we are responsible for monitoring Student visa holders' engagement with their studies and reporting any changes to the Home Office. In line with Home Office guidance, the University of Bath has an Academic engagement monitoring policy in place. This policy is applied consistently across the University.
The policy is also designed to help identify potential welfare concerns, as poor attendance or engagement may indicate that a student needs additional support. This allows us to provide appropriate help promptly.
The Student Immigration Service has created a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions guide to help you understand the policy and what to expect from the process.
Who we monitor engagement for
This policy applies to all international students, including visiting students and scholars, who are studying at the University of Bath on a Student visa.
Why engagement is monitored
We monitor engagement to:
- provide appropriate advice and guidance to students who are not regularly engaging with their studies
- meet our responsibilities as a Student visa Sponsor and maintain our sponsorship status
- provide accurate information about funding to external government bodies
How engagement is monitored
The way we monitor your academic engagement depends on your type of study.
If you are a taught student
Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught, or 1st Year Integrated PhD student
During teaching periods, you must meet two conditions:
- Weekly requirement: Achieve at least 1 engagement point every week (physical or online).
- Fortnightly requirement: At least 1 engagement point every 2 weeks must be physical attendance (SafeZone check-in).
The following engagement points are recorded:
- Physical attendance: You must check in via the SafeZone app at your on-campus timetabled sessions (lectures, seminars, labs, tutorials, workshops, studios, etc.).
- Online engagement:
- Moodle coursework or assessment submissions
- Panopto lecture viewing (a minimum of 50 aggregated minutes of a specific lecture per day).
Your academic engagement is reviewed in fixed, two-week calendar blocks starting from Week 1 of Semester 1. To stay compliant, you must meet the set engagement points within each specific two-week period. Monitoring does not take place during vacation periods, reading weeks, strikes, revision periods, or assessment periods.
Alternative engagement monitoring arrangements are in place for students when standard engagement points are not possible, such as when there is no scheduled teaching. Where individual arrangements need to be made, students and/or departments are encouraged to contact the Student Immigration Service as soon as possible so that appropriate alternatives can be agreed.
If you are encountering technical issues with the SafeZone app, please log in a ticket with DD&T or visit the IT Helpdesk at the Library.
Dissertation period
During this period, you are expected to be completing your dissertation / undertaking a project (practicum) or internship. Your academic engagement is monitored via monthly online engagement tasks that you will be required to complete promptly.
If you are undertaking a placement / study abroad / fieldwork
You are required to complete placement/study abroad online engagement task each month. During fieldwork, you need to remain in regular contact with your doctoral supervisor.
If you are a doctoral student (including visiting scholars)
If you are a doctoral student, your engagement is monitored via monthly in-person supervisory meetings recorded by your supervisor. Once in submission pending stage, some of your meetings may take place online.
If you have submitted your thesis, your engagement is monitored via monthly online engagement tasks that you will be required to complete promptly.
Lack of engagement - Taught and Doctoral students
Taught students
The Student Immigration Service (SIS) reviews engagement data for taught Student visa holders retrospectively for the previous fixed two-week block. Where consecutive non-engagement is identified, this process will be followed:
After 2 or 4 weeks of non-engagement: If you have not met the required weekly engagement points and no authorised absence is recorded, we will contact you to remind you of your academic engagement responsibilities.
After 6 weeks of non-engagement: You and your Director of Studies (DoS) will receive advance warning that your Moodle access may be removed. Your DoS may initiate the Procedure to respond to poor attendance if they have concerns about your attendance or engagement with studies.
After 8 weeks of non-engagement: Your Moodle access will be removed and you will be asked to contact SIS urgently. Your DoS will be notified.
After 9 weeks of non-engagement: you will be required to attend a Compulsory meeting with SIS and your DoS. Evidence of your physical engagement will be reviewed. If appropriate, a tailored Support for Study Action Plan may be implemented to continue your Student visa sponsorship.
After 10 weeks of non-engagement, if there is no evidence of physical engagement or Support for Study Action Plan in place, your Student visa sponsorship will be withdrawn. Your studies will be suspended, resulting in the cancellation of your Student visa. You will be required to leave the UK.
Dissertation period
Incomplete monthly online task: If you do not engage with the monthly online task, you will receive reminders to complete it. The task can only be completed during the month in which it is issued.
After 2 consecutive months of non-engagement: You will be required to attend a Compulsory meeting with SIS and your Director of Studies. We will review your dissertation engagement and discuss the steps required to retain your Student visa sponsorship.
Carrying forward previous non-engagement: Non-engagement from the preceding teaching period will be carried forward into the dissertation period. This may result in earlier withdrawal of Student visa sponsorship where the total period of non-engagement reaches 60 days.
The non-engagement escalation process is detailed in the Academic engagement monitoring policy.
Doctoral students (including visiting scholars)
Missed monthly meeting: If there is no record of a monthly meeting, the Student Immigration Service (SIS) will contact you and your doctoral supervisor to remind you that the next meeting must take place as scheduled and be recorded.
After 2 consecutive missed meetings: A reminder will be sent to you, your doctoral supervisor and the Doctoral College, requesting information about your engagement and providing a timeline for withdrawal of your Student visa sponsorship if non-engagement continues.
When the required meetings remain outstanding: If the two missed meetings remain outstanding and no evidence of engagement or response is received, a final reminder will be sent to you, your doctoral supervisor and the Doctoral College, informing of the imminent withdrawal of your Student visa sponsorship if the next scheduled meeting does not take place.
After 3 consecutive missed meetings: You will be referred to the Academic Registry for suspension or withdrawal from your course. Your Student visa sponsorship will be withdrawn, resulting in the cancellation of your visa. You will be required to leave the UK.
If, at any stage, your doctoral supervisor is unable to confirm that you are engaging with your research, they will follow the Procedure to respond to poor attendance and notify SIS.
Doctoral students who have submitted their thesis
Incomplete monthly online task: If you do not engage with the online task, we will send a reminder of your engagement responsibilities, notifying your doctoral supervisor.
After 2 consecutive months of non-engagement: You will be required to attend a Compulsory meeting with SIS to explain your non-engagement. Your doctoral supervisor will be notified.
After 3 consecutive months of non-engagement: If there is no explanation for your lack of engagement, your Student visa sponsorship will be withdrawn, resulting in the cancellation of your Student visa. You will be required to leave the UK.
The non-engagement escalation process is detailed in the Academic engagement monitoring policy.
Lack of engagement - Students on placement/study abroad
Incomplete monthly online task: If you do not engage with the monthly online task, we will contact you to remind you that the next engagement task must be completed by the deadline.
After 2 consecutive months of non-engagement: A reminder to re-engage will be sent to you and your Placement team, including a timeline for withdrawal of your Student visa sponsorship if non-engagement continues.
Where the consecutive 3rd engagement task has not been completed within 10 days of becoming available, you will be required to attend a Compulsory online meeting with the Student Immigration Service. Your Placement Team will be informed.
If you fail to attend the meeting and/or the 3rd engagement task remains incomplete, your Placement Team will be offered the opportunity to contact you and/or your placement provider to obtain evidence of your engagement.
Once 3 consecutive monthly engagement tasks are missed and no evidence of engagement is received, you will be referred to the Academic Registry for suspension or withdrawal from your course. Your Student visa sponsorship will be withdrawn, resulting in the cancellation of your visa. You will be required to leave your placement and leave the UK.
The non-engagement escalation process is detailed in the Academic engagement monitoring policy.
Consequences of low engagement
As a student at the University of Bath, you are considered to be academically engaging if you are actively and consistently following your course of study.
If your engagement with your course is insufficient, your department and/or Student Immigration Service will contact you to understand the reasons and determine whether any support is needed. It is essential that you respond promptly to any communication from your department or other University staff.
If your Director of Studies or doctoral supervisor cannot confirm that you are engaging with your studies, they will be required to follow the Procedure to respond to poor attendance.
In certain circumstances, and where appropriate, the University may initiate the Missing Student Protocol to ensure your well-being.
Failure to attend and actively engage with your course can have serious consequences, including the suspension of your studies and withdrawal of Student visa sponsorship where the Academic engagement monitoring policy is not met for maximum of 60 days from the 1st time you were reminded to re-engage.
Support for disabilities or illness
If you are unable to meet your engagement or attendance requirements due to disability or illness, an alternative will be arranged as appropriate.
If you have questions about alternative arrangements, please contact the Student Immigration Service and your Director of Studies or doctoral supervisor.