Support for colleagues and students during the exam and assessment period
14 Jan 2026
Supporting students and supporting yourself: practical tools and wellbeing resources for the exam and assessment period.
The January exam and assessment period is about to get underway, a key point in the academic year for many of our students. Assessment is an important part of how students demonstrate their learning, and the University continues to improve its approach, working with students to ensure assessment supports learning in fair, inclusive and meaningful ways.
Below are some of the ways we’re supporting students and colleagues during the assessment period.
Exam support for students
There is a wide range of support available to help students feel prepared, confident and supported as they complete their assessments.
Key resources include:
Exam support webpages
The exam support webpages bring together timetables, policies, practical guidance and revision tips, and are a helpful starting point for students with assessment-related questions.
Library support
The Library is offering exam and assessment support. You can direct your students to our Exam and Assessment support area on the Library website:
A link to our Library Support for Assessment package can be embedded in Canvas at School or programme level. To request please complete our online request form or speak to your Engagement Librarian.
Wellbeing support for students
Students have access to a wide range of free wellbeing activities and resources during the busy exam and assessment period. This includes free breakfasts and snacks, relaxation spaces, fitness classes, and mental health support such as counselling, workshops, and 24/7 online services.
Study spaces
We’ve published the best alternative study spaces for students on campus and around the city:
Free breakfasts, snacks, soup and drinks across campus
We’re offering free breakfasts, snacks, soup and drinks to keep students going throughout the exam and assessment period:
Colleagues play a vital role in helping students make the most of this support, whether by signposting resources, offering reassurance, or reinforcing positive and constructive approaches to assessment and learning.
Support for colleagues
Assessment is a shared endeavour across the University. Academic and professional services colleagues work closely together to design, deliver and support assessment in ways that are fair, consistent and centred on students.
A range of support is also available for colleagues:
Canvas support
Your local eLearning and Assessment and Progression teams have developed training, guidance and resources to provide you with Canvas support relevant to your area:
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Other University areas
Guidance documents have been designed to help colleagues get acquainted with the differences between Canvas and Blackboard, and these are available to staff through our microsite.
- The Assessment and Feedback guide can help you understand assignment submissions in Canvas.
- The Assessment and submission deadlines bulletin can help you with the processes.
A Student News article published at the start of January includes a one page guide to help students navigate their submissions in Canvas. Local support is also available to students through their Schools and via the Library website.
Don’t forget, Canvas-related issues can be reported to IT Services using the Something not working? form in Connect, ensuring quick resolution of problems during the exam period. Students can also can raise an IT Services ticket for technical support. Instructure’s Canvas Student Guide includes tutorials, FAQs, and walkthroughs to help students navigate the platform, submit assignments, and access course materials. Additional guidance is available through our Student Support page.
Wellbeing
- Starting well: Take part in our free programme of events for our ‘Starting Well in 2026 Campaign’ this January
- Wellbeing resources: Explore our Wellbeing StaffNet resources covering free online resources, including how to manage and reduce stress, and relevant events.
- Employee Assistance programme: Our Employee Assistance Programme, Health Hero provides a specialist, confidential and independent counselling and information service for all colleagues that is both free and confidential.
- Support services: Our in-house Counselling and Mental Health Service also provide workshops available to colleagues and can arrange for a review meeting if Health Hero are unable to meet your needs.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone involved in assessment across the University. Your care, professionalism and expertise help ensure that assessment at Manchester supports learning, builds confidence and enables students to succeed.