Information for registered students Student guide 2018–2019 The World Class: studied anywhere, valued everywhere. london.ac.uk Contents Introduction 1 The University of London and the member institutions 2 Part one: how you study Online learning 5 Using libraries and bookshops 7 Studying at a recognised teaching centre 10 Part two: your student journey Funding your studies 12 Registration 13 Assessment 17 Graduation 21 After graduation 23 Part three: our commitment to you Improving your student experience 25 Inclusive practice 26 Get involved! 27 Your Programme Specification and Regulations 28 Complaints procedure 29 Contacting us 30 Published by: University of London © University of London 2018 i Student guide 2018–19 Introduction This guide provides you with essential information about studying with the University of London. It will tell you where to find information at every stage of your student journey, from registration through to graduation and beyond. For information that is specific to your course you should refer to the detailed content on the virtual learning environment (VLE). We hope it will become a key document that you will refer to again and again. 1 Student guide 2018–19 The University of London and the member institutions We are the University of London, which is a federal Academically, the programmes are designed and University and one of the oldest, largest and most developed by the following member institutions: diverse universities in the United Kingdom. The X Birkbeck, University of London University of London consists of 18 independent member institutions with outstanding global X City, University of London reputations and several prestigious central academic X Goldsmiths, University of London bodies. Some of the member institutions are X King’s College London (KCL) specialised (such as the London School of Hygiene X The London School of Economics and Political & Tropical Medicine or the Royal Veterinary College), Science (LSE) while others are multi-faculty (such as University College London or Queen Mary). X London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) The University of London collaborates with member institutions to bring distance and flexible learning to X Queen Mary University of London students worldwide. X Royal Holloway, University of London Students are registered with the University of X Royal Veterinary College (RVC) London, which handles the practical elements of X School of Advanced Study (SAS), University of running the programmes, such as processing fees, London administering registration, and organising your X SOAS, University of London examinations. X University College London (UCL). 2 Student guide 2018–19 Member institutions are responsible for the academic direction of the programmes, including developing and maintaining the syllabi, preparing learning resources and marking the assessments. If you have any questions of an academic nature, you can get in touch with your member institution or by contacting us: https://london. ac.uk/contact-us. All of the member institutions have long and fascinating histories, and many of them have changed their names as they have merged with other institutions over the years. The timeline below gives you an idea of our common heritage, from the foundation of the oldest College to the present day. 18th century 19th century 20th century 21st century RVC founded as the University of London SOAS founded. By the In 2016, City University first veterinary founded 1836. end of the century, all became a member college in England. Birkbeck, UCL, King’s, 10 Colleges have institution of the Royal Holloway, Queen formally become part University of London Mary, LSE and LSHTM of the University of and changed its name all come into being. London. to City, University of London. Governance Our programmes are governed by a number of committees and sub-committees which monitor, develop and initiate improvements to the programmes and to the working of the University. They are ultimately accountable to the Board of the University of London Worldwide. For more information about our governance arrangements please see our website. 3 Student guide 2018–19 Part one: how you study 4 Student guide 2018–19 Online learning X Sufficient bandwidth to download documents of at least 2 MB. X Screen resolution of 1024 × 768 or greater. X A web browser (the latest version of Firefox, Chrome or Internet Explorer with JavaScript and Cookies enabled) is recommended. X A word processor that reads Microsoft Word format (.doc). X Adobe Acrobat Reader, or other PDF reader. Please note: certain essential functionality may not be supported on all mobile devices. Some modules/courses may have other requirements, such as Flash player or audio. Please consult your study materials for details of what you need. Student Portal The Portal is your most important resource, enabling you to contact us and access your VLE and online study resources. When you register with us you will be given a University of London username and password, which Accessing our resources allow you to log in to the Student Portal and access: Apart from a few key functions, such as examinations X your virtual learning environment (VLE) and graduation, the majority of your student X the Online Library experience with us will be online. We have a range of online services to support you through your studies, X your student email account deliver learning materials, and help you to get in touch X your user details with us and with your fellow students. X other useful information. To get the best out of your programme, you must As with all websites, the higher the bandwidth of your have regular access to a computer with an internet internet connection, the smoother your experience of connection. We also recommend that you meet the the Portal will be. following minimum requirements: 5 Student guide 2018–19 Support X speeds up communication between you and the University If you have technical issues with the Portal, including difficulty accessing the study materials or logging X provides a safe communications channel in, please go to the login FAQs at the bottom of X gives a sense of shared identity to all our students. the Portal homepage, where solutions to the most It is important that you check this email account common problems can be found. If you can’t find regularly because we will use it to tell you about new the answer there, please contact the Student Advice developments and other important matters. Centre for user support. We will try to respond to your query within two working days; however, this may take Remember that we will use email to send you longer during busy periods and holidays. important information, so it is your responsibility to leave sufficient space in your mailbox to receive emails Note that the user support service is for Portal and attachments from us and from your member queries only and should not be used for questions institution. on how to set up your computer, how to use software or to troubleshoot faults with your computer or Please do not send junk email to your fellow students. Internet Service Provider. In particular, you must not under any circumstances: X distribute unsolicited email that contains advertising VLE material The VLE is a password-protected area which is X post any messages relating to pyramid schemes or accessed from the Portal and is specific to your money-making scams programme. This is where you will find your study materials, important announcements from your X proliferate chain letters, such as those claiming to member institution and opportunities to interact with bring good luck other students or tutors. Your VLE login details are the X use email addresses of students on the programme same ones you use to access the Portal. You should to distribute online petitions. check the VLE regularly for updates and information. If you receive unsolicited email of any of these types, Remember, you can also use the discussion areas on the best thing to do is delete it straightaway. the VLE to connect with other students and feel part of our student community. New to computer technology? Student email account If computer technology is new to you, you may find it helpful to complete the European or International When you register you will be given a University of Computer Driving Licence or an equivalent course. London email account, which you can access through This will help to ensure that you are a confident PC the Portal. There are many benefits to this, but user. You can find out more at www.ecdl.org primarily it: 6 Student guide 2018–19 Using libraries and bookshops Reading is an essential part of any degree study Why do I need to use the Online Library? programme. In order to support you during the course X To access good quality information resources that of your studies, all registered students have free access are relevant to your programme, which are not to the University of London’s excellent Online Library. freely available from the internet. In addition, depending on your course of study, textbooks and essential reading materials may be sent X Learning to use the library effectively will equip you to you as part of your study pack. with the information skills you need to quickly find resources you need, and to succeed in your studies Please consult your study guide to see which essential and in your career. readings are provided (if any), and which ones you will X Having access to superior academic information need to buy yourself. resources can help you to obtain better grades. Libraries X It is also a place to go for support from professional librarians. The Online Library How to use the Online Library The Online Library provides access to over 97 million There is an individual homepage (‘gateway’) for each academic journal articles, newspapers and a growing programme.