Student’s anger as late coursework fine goes up

Adam Llewelyn, who studies at Worcester College of Technology, is angry because the college fines students if they hand in work after deadline.

But leaders at the Deansway college say the fines deter work being handed in late and the cash is used to help the most hard-up students.

Your Worcester News ran a story in December about students being fined £5 for handing in work late but now fines have gone up again.

From the beginning of this academic year in September, the price of handing in one piece of work late is £5 but this rises to £8 the second time and £20 the third.

Mr Llewlyn, 25, of St Peter’s, Worcester, said: “A lot of people are not happy about this. Some people have legitimate reasons for work being late. Why should they be fined?”

Mr Llewelyn is a medical engineer and has been undertaking an electrical engineering course at the college.

“I understand there has to be a punishment if you are constantly handing in work late, but this seems a little unfair,” he said.

Your Worcester News also received comments from students on our website worcesternews.co.uk complaining about the rising fines.

Other colleges and universities in the area, including the University of Worcester and Hereford College of Technology do not impose any fines.

A spokesman for Worcester College of Technology said their scheme was “a fair and equitable” way of deterring students from gaining an unfair advantage by handing work in beyond agreed deadlines.

The college first introduced fines around five years ago after consultation with both staff and students and a review was carried out in 2007/08.

• This issue was first brought to our attention in our forums. Read the thread and make your own comments here.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT FINES FOR LATE COURSEWORK?

Andy Brannelly, 17, is studying for a national business diploma: “Some people don’t hand their coursework in on time and have got fined.
"I haven’t myself and the college did become more relaxed about it last year.
"But one of my friends got fined and she went crazy when it happened. She had a reason for it being late.
"She didn’t pay it and she handed her work in.”

Lauren Wright, aged 16, is studying for a public services diploma: “We haven’t been fined yet as we haven’t had our first deadline.
"Hopefully I’m not going to be as I don’t want to pay that sort of money.
"I’m not worried about it as I like to do my work on time, but the thought of having to pay does freak you out.
"I know someone who was fined and they really weren’t happy about it.”

Mike Goodman, aged 17, is studying for a public services diploma: “I think if you are going to keep up with your work you haven’t got anything to worry about.
"If people are doing a course they have to do the work and if they don’t do it, they are holding themselves back.
"With the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) there are so many ways they can take it off you.”

Amy Band, aged 17, is studying for a public services diploma: “I have never been fined for late coursework but I think if you are then it’s fair enough.
"If the teacher sets a date or deadline you should do it by then.
"I don’t know of anyone who has been fined but they do take away the Education Maint

Charlotte Clarke, aged 16, is studying for a public services diploma: “I haven’t been fined either but I know they will probably just take away our EMA from us if we don’t hand it in on time.
"But I do think we should have a warning first, it’s a lot of money.
"But for people who do hand their work in on time it’s unfair on them too if someone isn’t fined.”