Absence
What you need to do if you are unable to attend your lessons or assessments.
Unplanned Absences
If you are ill or unable to attend for any unforeseen reason, you must report your absence as soon as possible. This should be done before the lesson is due to begin.
In the event of an unplanned absence on the day of an assessment, you may wish to also apply for Additional Consideration.
International students, there is additional information to be aware of to ensure you meet your student visa conditions. Read more on the International students page.
Planned Absence
Absence may be acceptable when participating in other conservatoire activities which may be additional to their programme of study. Students are encouraged to attend many of these important activities as they are able, to work with key practitioners and professionals in the music industry.
In the event where participating in extra activities clashes with your scheduled lessons, consider the following so you make an informed decision.
- Will your attendance for such activities make it difficult to complete your course work? An example would be to consider how attendance will affect a particular module, possibly missing a number of sessions.
- Will your attendance impact group members if you are absent from an ensemble or project group?
Requesting Planned Absences
It is also important you request permission to miss your scheduled lesson appropriately if you do choose to attend a different activity.
Contact your tutor, lecturer, or supervisor as appropriate and request permission to attend the other activity. Failure to do so could result in you being marked as absent.
School of Drama students are not permitted to miss scheduled classes, rehearsals, or performances.
Examples of permitted planned absences
- Attending a Masterclass or Workshop which clashes with a scheduled lesson.
- Attending rehearsals for a conservatoire project, concert, or event.
- Performance engagements made through the Musicians’ Booking Agency.
- Professional engagements of significant importance, see next section.
Professional Engagement Absence Requests
Permission can be granted for professional activity of significant importance, students must complete the form below and sending it to an academic manager with at least two weeks notice before the first date of absence.
Academic Managers are listed on the Schools page, if you are on a combined pathway you must copy an Academic Manager from each School if applicable.
The conservatoire strongly advises that any professional engagements take place outside of teaching weeks. No absences will be approved during assessment weeks or on the day of scheduled examinations or submission deadlines.
Examples of significant professional engagements include:
- Radio and TV interviews/TV work/film work
- Contracted recording sessions linked to management and recognised record companies
- Work placements with major publishers, record companies, music management companies
- Prestigious public performances
Jury Service
Students are not given special exemption from Jury Service if summoned. You are expected to take part in your civic duty. If you fail to attend Jury Service when invited you can be fined up to £1,000.
You can however defer your jury service; this means if the dates you have been summoned for will disrupt term-time or an exam period, you can defer to a later time. Deferrals can only be for up to 12 months, you need to provide your availability for the next 12 months. If you are due to complete your studies within 12 months, you need to include this.
You need to complete the form supplied by the Bureau in their Summons letter requesting a deferral.
You are best to provide the dates when you are not studying or taking exams, i.e. official holiday time or after the end of your studies. You may want to include a Confirmation of Studies letter as part of your evidence, if required.
If you are unable, or do not want to defer your jury service, or it is deferred to a time when there is an impact on study, you should consider submitting an application for Additional Consideration.
Please email HEAdmin@leedsconservatoire.ac.uk to inform us that you have been invited for Jury Service.