The University Regulations clearly specify the requirements for student attendance and associated rules for residence, conduct and academic progress. In particular, undergraduate students must be in attendance by the first day of term and remain in attendance until the last day of term. No student may be absent from classes or other assigned academic activities, including clinical placements, except for illness without prior permission from the Head of School.
The academic year has 30 weeks divided into three terms of varying lengths. The dates of terms are published in the University Calendar. The School refers to specific weeks in the academic year using an alphanumeric scheme, for example:
| M0 | Freshers' Week |
| M1, M2, ..., M11 | Autumn Term - Teaching |
| C1, C2, ... | Christmas Vacation |
| L0 | Spring Term - Assessment Week |
| L1, ..., L11 | Spring Term - Teaching |
| E1, E2, ... | Easter Vacation |
| T0 | Summer Term - Revision Week |
| T1, ..., T6 | Summer Term - Teaching / Assessment |
| S1, S2, ... | Summer Vacation |
Refer to the Week Numbering Scheme section of the handbook for detailed information and conversion tables.
Unless otherwise stated, these are the week numbers used most School of Physics documents.
Timetable information is published at:
The University's timetable software uses a 52-week numbering system that starts in August.
To accommodate placement modules the academic year for the Medical Imaging (Diagnostic Radiography) programme is normally 40 weeks long.
Briefly, students progress through the various stages of their degree programmes by accumulating credits which are awarded for passing modules. For an undergraduate programme, 120 credits are required to pass a stage, corresponding to three terms of full-time study. As well as a number of credits (proportional to the workload) modules are assigned levels describing the difficulty of the academic content. A degree is awarded when a student has accumulated the required number of credits at certain minimum levels. The class of the degree is based on a weighted average of the marks received for each module. There is no automatic right to repeat a stage, or other period of study; each case is considered on its individual merits by the Dean.
The School's Assessment Conventions contain more-detailed information.
Each degree programme comprises a set of modules. The semester in which any particular module is given is indicated in the description for that module. (See Module Descriptions.)
The lecture modules are supported by timetabled seminars and/or problems classes throughout the year. Timetables of lectures and laboratory classes are posted on notice boards at the start of each semester and can also be consulted, and personalised versions printed, using the University's WWW timetable system. A separate schedule of the specific modules covered in the problems classes will be provided.
Students are expected to attend all the lectures, laboratory classes, problems classes, clinical placements, and tutorials in their degree programme regularly and punctually. The convention is that lectures and tutorials last for 50 minutes, beginning at 5 minutes after the hour and ending at 5 minutes before the hour. A student should tell the staff member responsible for the class if they have a valid reason for absence, and also inform the School Secretary (physics@exeter.ac.uk) if you are ill. Absence during clinical placements must also be reported to the placement link radiographers. (See also Mitigating Circumstances Affecting Assessments.)
As a student, your comprehension of the topics covered in the modules will depend upon the individual efforts you make, and you cannot expect to obtain understanding simply by attending.
Problems classes for Stage 1 and Stage 2 undergraduates (dealing with core modules at levels 1 and 2) are held regularly on a weekly basis, except in those weeks in which a mid-semester test is held. A problem paper associated with a particular course is distributed a week in advance, allowing students time to attempt as much as possible before the class. Marks gained in problems will count towards the assessment of the associated modules. [See also the Code of Practice for Problems Classes.]
Level 3 and 4 modules which use lectures as the main means of delivery include problems classes within their schedule of timetabled hours; two one-hour problems classes is the norm for a 10 HE (5 ECTS) credit module.
University Examinations are normally held straight after the Christmas Vacation, in Week L0, and during the Summer term in weeks T1-5. The results of the year's examinations will be considered by the Board of Examiners in week T6. The results of referred and deferred examinations will be considered at a September meeting.
Both teaching periods are followed by a substantial vacation during which students are expected to consolidate and revise their coursework.