As part of your commitment to your studies, you are expected to attend learning and teaching sessions associated with the program in which you are enrolled. The learning and teaching methods for each program and subject components are set out in the respective Subject Outlines, which may include:

• Lectures
• Workshops
• Tutorials and practicals
• Quizzes and assignments
• Tests and examinations

James Cook University, Singapore believes that there is a direct relationship between a student’s success and regular attendance. Research shows that attendance is a key tool in the teaching and learning process. Good attendance could increase student motivation, engagement, learning, enjoyment, and autonomy.

Students who actively participate in their learning by attending classes regularly are more likely to:

• Enjoy a rewarding and collaborative experience in which their knowledge, skills, and abilities are developed
• Successfully complete their program
• Realise their full potential
• Achieve a higher grade

You will find important information pertaining to your attendance below. Please read carefully and ensure that you take note of the requirements that apply to you. For further enquiries, you may send an email to the Attendance Monitoring Team: [email protected].

If you are an international student holding a valid Student’s Pass, you are expected to meet the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore’s minimum requirement of 90% Class and Campus Attendance monthly and overall. You are required to be on campus from Monday to Friday (except trimester breaks / Public Holidays / Exam Week / Study Week and Exam Prep Week) for a minimum of three (3) hours daily as per ICA’s regulations.

In the Student’s Pass application form (V36A), international students must not fail to attend classes for a continuous period of seven (7) days or more, and should not have a percentage of attendance less than 90% in any month, without valid reasons. Should you fail to meet these requirements, the University will be required to report this to ICA. Your Student’s Pass may be cancelled, or further renewal may not be granted.

If you are a domestic student, you are required to meet the monthly Class Attendance requirement of 75%. The Campus Dean will be notified if you fail meet this requirement in any given month, and you may be barred from sitting for your examinations.

Attendance is recorded through the biometric (fingerprint) machines.

International students are required to tap in and out of the University using the biometric machines located at the following locations to record Campus Attendance:

• Main gate
• Pillars outside the One-Stop Centre
• Outside classroom C1-01

As the campus officially closes at 10pm, you should tap in before 7pm in order to meet the three (3) hour attendance requirement.

All students are required to tap in for lessons using the biometric machines located in the respective classrooms to record Class Attendance. You have a 30-minute window period to tap in for your lesson (i.e., 15 minutes before and after the scheduled class timing. For example, if your lesson begins at 9am, you are required to record your attendance between 8:45am and 9:15am). Should you scan your fingerprint at a timing outside of this window period, you will be marked as absent. You are not required to tap out from classes.

If you are unable to attend classes or fulfill the Campus Attendance requirement, you may submit a Leave Application through the StudentFirst portal (https://secure.jcu.edu.sg/StudentFirst/) to appeal for your attendance. All applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and subjected to the approval of the Deputy Director, Student Affairs.

Each leave request must be accompanied with a supporting document. For example, absence due to medical reasons (e.g., fallen sick) must be supported with a valid medical certificate (MC). In line with best practice, the University only accepts MCs issued by doctors and dentists registered with the Singapore Medical Council and the Singapore Dental Council, respectively. Likewise, should you submit a Leave Application on compassionate grounds, a copy of the deceased’s death certificate or any related documents must be provided.

Checks will be done to ensure that no fraudulent documents are submitted. All students are to be reminded that forgery of MCs is serious offence, which is punishable under Section 465 of the Penal Code (Singapore Law). If found guilty, offenders may face a penalty of a jail term of up to 4 years, a fine, or both. The University does not condone such acts and will not hesitate to take the necessary action against individuals who have committed this offence.

This is not to be confused with Leave of Absence (LOA). More information on LOA can be found in the Student Handbook.

As an enrolled student at James Cook University, Singapore, you are entitled to coverage for medical insurance. The insurance covers mainly medical expenses incurred for hospitalisation and/or surgery due to illness or accident in a Singapore Government / Restructured Hospital. You may refer to the Product Summary found here for more details.

You will be required to submit the completed Claim Form found here, along with all relevant medical documents, to the Attendance Monitoring Team: [email protected]. Documents to be submitted may include, but are not limited to:

• Receipts and tax invoices
• Doctor’s memo
• Discharge summary

Students under 21 years of age would require a parent or guardian’s consent and signature when claiming for insurance.

The insurer will reimburse the following eligible expenses incurred according to the limits set out in the Benefits Schedule which can be found here. The average processing time for insurance claim is between six (6) to eight (8) weeks from the date of submission of the required documents.

Group Hospital and Surgical Insurance for students is provided to us by NTUC Income. The Policy Certificate can be found here.

If you require clarification on any of the matters stated above, you may reach out to us at:

Attendance Monitoring Team

[email protected]

One-Stop Centre, Block C

Due to our high volume of emails, we endeavour to respond to you within 3 working days.