Guide
How students can report absences due to ill health
You can use a self-certificate for the first 7 days of an absence for absence reporting purposes
Updated on 26 October 2026
How to report an absence
- Stay in contact with your Faculty Office, wherever possible, on the first day of your absence.
- All sections of the online form must be completed.
- The online form will be emailed to your Faculty Office.
- Undergraduate Medicine students should log their absence via MBChB Moodle
Details of absence
- The self-certificate normally only covers the first 7 days of absence and can be completed without seeing a doctor.
- A GP may provide evidence of illness but may charge for this service.
- If you have been seen by a GP whilst unwell, you can contact the GP medical centre/practice to discuss obtaining a letter without booking another appointment
- Remember to include weekends and days on which you were not timetabled to attend in the dates of absence.
Reason for absence
- Try to give as many details as possible.
- Words like "unwell" or "illness" are not acceptable.