► Term time working policy

Aston University's policy on term time work
(as amended in March 2005.)

The term time working policy states:

1. The University is aware that some students undertake paid employment during academic terms because of financial necessity

2. It is recognised that term time working, in addition to providing income, may provide benefits to students in developing skills, abilities and knowledge likely to be helpful in planning and implementing their future careers

3. Students are responsible for ensuring that any work, including voluntary work, does not result in their absence from any time tabled activity nor have any detrimental effect on their academic work. It is expected that students will work in what would otherwise have been non-contact time rather than academic time.

4. The maximum number of hours that it is appropriate for a student to work will vary according to individual circumstances and the timing and nature of the work, but typically would not be more than 15 hours per week during term time with a maximum of 20 hours per week

As an example of how the term time policy is viewed by the Schools' of Study, the following is an extract from Aston Business School's student handbook for 2006-2007:

Term Time Working

The University is aware that many students undertake paid employment during academic terms because of financial necessity.

It is recognised that term-time working, in addition to providing income, may provide benefits to students developing skills, abilities and knowledge likely to be helpful in planning and implementing their future careers.

Students are responsible for ensuring that any work, including voluntary work, does not result in their absence from any timetabled activity, nor have any detrimental effect on their academic work.  It is expected that students will work in what would otherwise have been leisure time rather than academic time.

The maximum number of hours that it is appropriate for a student to work will vary according to individual circumstances and the timing and nature of work, but typically would be not more than 15 hours per week, with a maximum of 20 hours per week during term-time.  It is not possible to rearrange tutorials to take account of individual students' paid employment.