We're proud to be a community shaped by students from every background and think this is one of our greatest strengths. By bringing together different experiences, cultures, and perspectives, we create a richer, more supportive student community where everyone can thrive and every voice matters.
We recognise and welcome students of all faiths, beliefs, and none and aim to make sure every student feels respected, supported, and safe whilst practising their beliefs.
This page looks to break down how the University can support you to observe your religion whilst you study on campus or online. We want to ensure that you have options and information to make an informed choice about how you can balance your studies during periods of religious observance.
Your Student Leaders
Jay and Jessica understand the importance of balancing your studies with your wider needs. This is why they worked to set up a task and finish group with the University to make sure that you have the information and options available to you in a clear, transparent, and timely manner.
The information on this page has been created so you know your options when practising your religion and beliefs alongside your studies.
You can also read the Universities policy on Religious Observance.
Balancing your studies
The academic calendar, and timetabled classes, are scheduled across the year and only consider UK bank holidays. Therefore, this means that there may be times where timetabled classes overlap with various religious celebrations, festivals, and customs.
Whilst we encourage all students to get the most out of their time at Arden and attend timetabled classes, we don't want students to think they have to choose between their beliefs and their education. We have been working with the Univeristy to understand the options available when looking to balance your studies with your religious practice.
Your options
By understanding your options, you can best decide what will work for you.
Attendance
Reporting an Absence
Absence Reporting
If you are unable to attend a timetabled session because of religious observance, you should log the absence as 'Religious Observance'.
Timetables
Changing your Timetable
Timetable Change
You may be able to request a change to your timetable to try to get your studies to better fit around your religious observance.
Break in Learning
Taking a break from studying
Break in Learning
Take a pause in your studies from a semester to up to a year.
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Break in Learning allows you to temporarily pause your studies for a specified period of time. The team that looks after the process will be able to guide you to the determine the best amount of time for a break.
Breaks in Learning should range from 1 semesters to up to 12 months.
Where a Break in Learning applies to Religious Observance
Break in Learning for Religious Observance can be requested where you require a period of time away from studies to complete a religious observance. For example, pilgrimage or mission work.
Break in Learning cannot be used for a short term break that is less than a single semester. If you feel you need to take a break shorter than a semester then you should consider the other opions available.
Balancing your assessments
Assessments are essential to help you progress through your chosen programme. Assessment deadlines, like with the academic calendar, only consider bank holidays. Therefore, there may be times where assessment deadlines overlap with various religious celebrations, festivals, and customs.
We would encourage you to plan ahead for your assessments to ensure you give them your best. This planning should not just include revision or writing but also when to submit. There is nothing stopping you from submitting early or getting your preparation planned ahead.
However, we have been working with the Univeristy to understand the options available when looking to balance your assessments with your religious practice.
Your options
By understanding your options, you can best decide what works for you.
Important: to know that not all assessments are eligible for extensions or extenuating circumstances. These include exams, time-based assessments or multiple choice quizzes. Please ensure that you understand the assessments you are due to submit for in order to better decide the option for you.
Assessment Extension
Short extension to an assessment deadline
Requesting an Extension
Extensions are an option that, if granted, will allow up to a 7 days extension to your original assessment deadline.
Please note this option is not applicable to all assessment types.
Extenuating Circumstances
Apply to be considered
Submit Extenuating Circumstances
The Extenuating Circumstances process can be used to get support where circumstances have unexpectedly affected your studies.
Please note this option is not applicable to all assessment types.
Reasonable Adjustment
Discuss the changes you need to thrive
Reasonable Adjustments
Request support and speak to a team that can discuss any adjustments to support you to thrive in your studies.
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