My Attendance
The University is gradually introducing 'My Attendance' - a new system to record and monitor student attendance at timetabled learning activities.
When do I have to use this system?
This new attendance system is rolling out gradually across the University - your programme team will get in touch when you need to start using it.
Using My Attendance, you 'check in' to register your own attendance at timetabled activities and you can see your attendance record. Staff can see and edit your attendance record if needed.
Recording attendance will help us see where students might be struggling and offer support. It will also help us make sure everyone is meeting their attendance requirements - for example if your attendance is required for a professional accreditation or your student visa.
This new system is more efficient than other attendance monitoring such as paper registers, saving resource so we can better support you in other areas.
Once you've watched the training video above, if you need a reminder then this written user guide repeats the basics of how to use the system. You can also read frequently asked questions about the system and how it works:
What does the new attendance monitoring system do?
‘My Attendance’ is an online system to record and report on student attendance at timetabled learning activities.
This system allows students to register their own attendance by ‘checking in’ at the beginning of activities (whether in-person or online). Staff can also check students in – either to assist students who don’t have access to a device, or for events where they want to double-check which students are present.
You can see your own attendance history within the system, on a simple dashboard. Staff can see combined attendance data for students on their courses and programmes.
Why is the University introducing this new system?
Being able to record and review attendance more easily will help us see where students might be struggling and offer support. It will also help us make sure that students who have attendance requirements (for example to earn a professional accreditation) are meeting them.
You'll be able to easily see your own attendance record, so you can check you're meeting any attendance requirements you have. You'll also be able to see and query any mistakes in your record.
This new system is more efficient than other attendance monitoring such as paper registers, saving resource so we can better support you in other areas.
Does this change my attendance requirements? What happens if I fall below a certain attendance?
This system does not change any attendance requirements you already have in place. For example you may already be required to attend certain activities, or you may have a DASS support plan that includes recommendations for your attendance.
When your programme starts to use My Attendance, your programme team will remind you of any attendance requirements that are in place - and what will happen if you don't meet these requirements.
If you're not sure of your attendance requirements (if any) you should contact your programme team.
Has the system been tested by students?
Yes. A number of staff and students from across the University helped us develop and test the system. Our student testers were extremely positive – they said they found the system effective and easy to use, and thought it would be beneficial to both students and staff.
Who will use the system and when?
Which programmes and students will use this system? Will postgraduate research students use it?
This system is designed to record attendance primarily for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, whose programmes include timetabled taught activities. The system will be rolled out gradually, with the aim that eventually as many programmes as possible will use it.
It is possible to use the system to record attendance for PGR students with timetabled commitments, if we identify that this will help those students.
When do I have to start using My Attendance?
We are gradually rolling out this new attendance system across the University. When the system is due to be introduced on your programme, you'll receive further information and support from your local team. You do not have to use the system until your team contacts you.
How does the system work?
How do I learn how to use the system?
When your programme starts using the system, your local team will send you further information about how to use it and what they expect you to do. You’ll also be able to give feedback on the system – we’ll work to make improvements and address any issues.
How do I access the system?
You can navigate to My Attendance via My Manchester (you will need to login first) - you'll see a link in the left-hand menu bar. You can use a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer to access the system. Every student has access to the system, but you don’t have to use it until it rolls out in your area.
You can also add a shortcut to My Attendance on your laptop and smartphone / tablet, so you can access the system quickly and easily.
On a laptop/ PC: Navigate to the attendance system in your web browser and add a bookmark as you normally would.
On a smartphone / tablet: On both Android and iOS devices you can add a shortcut icon on your home screen that will go directly to the attendance system, so you can access it quickly and easily. This will appear just like the icons you use to open apps. The guides linked below show you how to do this in different operating systems and web browsers.
Add a shortcut on an Android device using Google Chrome
How does the system register student attendance?
Students will ‘check in’ at the start of timetabled activities to register their attendance. You can do this via a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.
Your lecturer (or teaching assistant) will be able to see all the students and their check-in status on a ‘digital register’, where they can make changes to the check-ins if necessary.
Can I see my own attendance record?
Yes. Within My Attendance you will be able to see your own attendance record – this is displayed on a simple dashboard in a few tables and graphs. However you will only see attendance data recorded since your programme started using the My Attendance system, it will not show older attendance records.
My attendance percentage is incorrect or showing as zero, what should I do?
As of April 2021, the system is in a 'pilot phase' on a small number of programmes. If your programme is not part of this pilot phase, you will still see the 'Student Attendance' link in My Manchester but you do not have to use it and it will not accurately reflect your attendance. Your local team are still accurately recording your attendance elsewhere as necessary. You'll receive further information as and when your programme starts using the new attendance system.
If your programme is part of the system pilot, the system will only reflect your attendance for the teaching activities during the pilot period - not for the whole year. If you're unclear or still think your attendance is wrong, contact your local team for help.
How do you know that students who checked in were actually present?
Your lecturer can use the ‘digital register’ to see the check-in status of all the students and change any if necessary, to ensure everyone who checked in was actually present.
It’s important you use this system honestly and responsibly. Having an accurate attendance record will help us see where students may be struggling and offer them help, and will help us ensure you’ve met the attendance requirements of your course units.
What if I know I’m going to be absent?
If your course or programme requires you to notify staff when you will be absent, your programme will let you know who to contact about planned absences. These will be recorded in the system as ‘notified absences’ so they will not affect your attendance record.