Medical Certificates
The University has a system of medical certification for students based, primarily, on self-certification. As most courses are designed to take account of minor illnesses and occasional periods of sick leave, these episodes should not normally require a doctor’s note. A standard University form has been designed to be completed by the student alone or with their doctor (see details below) for any period of absence due to illness. 

Please note that a medical note is never needed so urgently as to require seeing the duty doctor. Please book an appointment with your usual doctor or the doctor who has dealt with the problem.The guidelines are spilt into two categories: the arrangements for medical certification during normal periods of study; and arrangements during examinations and times of significant assessment.

       
During normal periods of study:
   
Category  1A
For minor/short-term illnesses totalling less than 10 days in any academic year students should complete a self certificate and forward it to their personal tutor/supervisor as soon as possible (category 1a).  The University strongly regards this as not being a charter for taking 10 days off each year.
Category  1B
If the illnesses  exceeds 10 days in any academic year, then a medical certificate from the doctor will be necessary for the current  illness and for any subsequent illness (category 1b).  It is the student's responsibility to keep a tally of their days of absence.
Category  2
For a more serious illness which lasts more than 7 consecutive days students should make an appointment to discuss a medical certificate with their doctor (a certificate will be issued only if the doctor thinks the condition merits it) (category 2). Examples of this would include glandular fever, prolonged sciatica or referral to hospital with asthma attacks or appendicitis. The doctor will give  practical information on the duration and impact of the illness on studies on the note.
Category  3
For prolonged or ongoing problems such as depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetic complications or anorexia students usually need to request a medical certificate (category 3) depending on the impact on their studies. A letter should usually accompany a category 3 certificate either from the GP or hospital Specialist, detailing the nature of the problem and its likely impact on the student’s academic progress. The student must give consent for the letter to be sent and will be able to see it before or after it is sent.
Catergory 4
A retrospective note for pre-existing conditions - this will probably carry less weight with the University

 

Most sick notes  will be in category 1a and 1b and may allow short extensions for the submission of work depending on when the illness occurs. Students will normally manage minor/short-term illnesses, although they may be distressing at the time, and continue to undertake their studies. Sick notes should be presented at or around the time of the illness and not significantly after recovery.

At examination times:

 

 (or at the time of other assessments requiring attendance, or during the period immediately surrounding the submission date for a significant piece of assessment)

Category  1C
Students need to provide a medical certificate from a doctor for any form of illness at these times
Category  2
As above
Category  3
As above
Category 4
As above

 

Students must make their personal tutor/supervisor/mitigations officer aware of the impact which they believe that this illness has had on their performance in the assessment. This information should be provided as soon as possible and certainly before the meeting of the relevant Board of Examiners.

A blank University of Birmingham medical certificate is available to students in the pre-registration information sent from Student Services and copies are available in all departments, as well as at the university website.

Only the standard University medical certificates will be accepted by tutors and Examination Boards.

University Medical Certificate download (PDF file)