What is expected from each learner?

The six main things expected from learners at IS are:

1 . Attendance
It is important to note that you should be in attendance throughout the whole of each term/semester. IS student must be in attendance whenever scheduled to be in class or learning related activities, unless he/she has obtained the permission of his/her

Head of Department to be absent.  However, if any exceptional circumstances necessitate your absence (e.g. illness or family bereavement) you should inform your Personal Tutor or Programme Director before the absence starts or as soon as possible after the event.  Supporting evidence for the absence would be required where possible eg. Letter from GP, guardian, letter of appointment e.g. NHS, NI, etc. 

Where absence is not at legitimate or supported this will be marked down and depending on your progress and previous performance could aid towards the termination of enrolment. 

Attendance at lectures, tutorials and labs will be monitored from time to time, and these records will be available to your personal tutors.  Spot attendances will be exercised.

2 . Study Effort
You will find that your timetable involves about 18 or 20 hours per week in the form of lectures, tutorials, practical work and so forth. Clearly you are expected to put in considerably more effort than just these contact hours. As a general guide, you should aim for a 40 hour working week. You may find that you personally need more study time, and demands on your time will vary throughout the year, although we do balance the workload as far as is practicable. You should be prepared to do some coursework and revision during vacations.

Typically, you are expected to carry out the following activities in your own time:

• Reading over lecture notes and clarifying your understanding of them.
• Reading textbooks and other recommended materials to amplify lecture content.
• Wider reading, for example to put lectures into practical context or to integrate topics within and across programme modules.
• Working on tutorial exercises and coursework assignments.

The key to success is careful planning of your private work. With good planning and effective use of your study time, you will still have plenty of time to take advantage of all the other opportunities that the University has to offer. Coursework 'deadlines' are set to help your time planning, and ours.

3. Personal Development Planning
Ensuring the academic progress of all our students is a major concern at IS. It is this personal development that will aid your academic progression and a better future within the practical world.  At IS we do not just concentrate on our learners acadmic progress but look at it in an Innovative approach; where we prepare our learners for the practical service, business world.  For learners who display their potential and commitment IS will refer these learners to clients, associates and related projects as a value aided resources.

4 . Respecting all
Respecting others for who they are is important in this growing world.  Treating others with respect, kindly and being helpful will display qualities of a potential, individual, team player and leader.  Treating other and resources made available to you is expected.  This displays character that you can be trusted with resources and this will make it easier for all to work with you hereby attracting more opportunities for yourself in all aspects. 

5. Communicate!
If there is a problem or a concern speak to your tutor or a member of staff.  Do not leave things to get out of hand.  The matter could concern you directly or indirectly, in any circumstance if it causes concern please communicate this as it might save a person or a situation from getting worse.  All communications will be held in confidence.  At IS we work towards constructive solutions here by walking away from the term “problem” and referring to it as a “situation”. 

6. Deflect for Plagiarism or theft

Every student has his/her own potential and lesser strengths but we believe at IS not of them have any weaknesses.  Taking part in Plagiarism or taking something that does not belong to you could hinder your future prospects.  Planning things in advance will support you better not to get into such unnecessary compromising situations.  At IS we are here to support.