Student Handbook reflects student life beyond academics, including wellbeing, accommodation, and student engagement.

Student Handbook

The BIMI Student Handbook is the definitive reference guide for all enrolled students. It sets out the rights, responsibilities, academic standards, and institutional policies that govern student life at the Bishkek International Medical Institute. All students are required to read and comply with the Handbook in full.

5.1  Academic Regulations

Registration & Enrolment

Students must complete formal registration at the beginning of each academic year and each semester. Failure to register by the published deadline may result in academic consequences including inability to sit examinations. Students are responsible for ensuring their personal details, contact information, and emergency contact records are kept up to date at all times on the Student Portal.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is a professional, academic, and contractual obligation. BIMI maintains a minimum attendance threshold of 80% for all scheduled learning activities, including lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, seminars, and clinical attachments. Students falling below this threshold may be:

•       Issued a formal attendance warning letter

•       Required to attend a meeting with their Personal Tutor and Year Coordinator

•       Deemed ineligible to sit the relevant examination until attendance requirements are met

•       Referred for disciplinary review in cases of persistent absence without cause

Absence for medical reasons must be supported by a medical certificate issued by a licensed physician. Absence for personal or religious reasons should be requested in advance from the relevant Year Coordinator.

Assessment & Examinations

Assessment Component

Details

Continuous Assessment (CA)

Coursework, assignments, in-class tests, and practical assessments conducted throughout the semester. Typically constitutes 30–40% of the final module grade.

End-of-Semester Examinations

Written theory papers (MCQ and short answer/essay formats) held at the end of each semester. Typically constitutes 40–50% of the final module grade.

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Practical clinical skills assessments conducted in the simulation lab or clinical environment. Assesses history-taking, physical examination, procedural skills, and clinical reasoning.

Professional Development Portfolio

An ongoing, cumulative record of reflective practice, clinical encounters, and developmental activities. Reviewed at each year-end progression review.

Research Project / Dissertation

A supervised research project undertaken in Year 5 or 6, culminating in a written dissertation and presentation.

Grading Scale

Grade

Mark Range & Description

Distinction (A)

85–100% — Exceptional performance exceeding all expected standards

Merit (B)

70–84% — Strong performance consistently meeting and exceeding expected standards

Pass (C)

55–69% — Satisfactory performance meeting the minimum expected standards

Marginal Fail (D)

45–54% — Below required standard; eligible for supplementary assessment

Fail (F)

0–44% — Significantly below standard; year may need to be repeated

Progression & Year Advancement

Students must achieve a Pass in all core modules (or clear all supplementary assessments) to progress to the subsequent academic year. The Academic Progression Committee reviews the performance of all students at the end of each academic year and makes progression decisions based on the totality of the student's academic record, attendance, professionalism, and clinical conduct.

5.2  Code of Professional Conduct

BIMI students are training to become physicians — a role that carries profound ethical and professional responsibilities. From Day One, students are expected to embody the values of the medical profession, including honesty, integrity, compassion, respect for patients and colleagues, and commitment to lifelong learning.

Academic Integrity

BIMI operates a zero-tolerance policy on academic dishonesty. The following constitute academic misconduct and will be investigated under the Disciplinary Procedure:

•       Plagiarism — submitting the work of others (or AI-generated content) as one's own without appropriate attribution

•       Collusion — working with another student on an individually assessed task without authorisation

•       Cheating in examinations — bringing unauthorised materials, communicating with another candidate, or any other form of dishonest conduct during a formal assessment

•       Fabrication of data — falsifying or inventing results, observations, or references in research or clinical work

•       Misrepresentation — providing false information to BIMI, clinical supervisors, or patients

Students found guilty of academic misconduct may face sanctions ranging from a zero mark on the relevant assessment to suspension or permanent exclusion from the institute.

Professional Behaviour

In clinical and simulation settings, students must adhere to the highest standards of professional behaviour. This includes:

•       Treating patients, colleagues, faculty, and support staff with dignity and respect at all times

•       Maintaining strict patient confidentiality — any information encountered in clinical settings must not be discussed outside of appropriate professional contexts

•       Dressing in accordance with the BIMI clinical dress code (smart professional attire and white coat in all clinical environments)

•       Being punctual for all clinical attachments, ward rounds, and supervised practice sessions

•       Declaring conflicts of interest and disclosing errors promptly and honestly

•       Refraining from the use of mobile devices for personal purposes in patient-facing settings

5.3  Disciplinary Procedures

Where a student is suspected of misconduct — whether academic, professional, or personal — BIMI follows a fair, transparent, and proportionate disciplinary process:

•       Step 1 — Initial Report: Any staff member, student, or clinical supervisor may submit a formal misconduct report to the Student Affairs Office or relevant Dean.

•       Step 2 — Preliminary Investigation: The relevant Year Coordinator or Academic Integrity Officer conducts an initial review of the report within 10 working days. The student is notified and invited to provide their account.

•       Step 3 — Disciplinary Panel Hearing: For serious or contested cases, a formal hearing is convened before a Disciplinary Panel comprising faculty, a student representative, and an independent observer. The student may bring a support person.

•       Step 4 — Decision & Sanction: The panel reaches a decision and communicates its ruling in writing within 5 working days of the hearing.

•       Step 5 — Right of Appeal: Students have the right to appeal any disciplinary decision within 14 days of receiving the written outcome. Appeals are reviewed by the Academic Appeals Committee.

5.4  Grievance & Complaints Procedure

BIMI takes student complaints seriously and is committed to resolving all concerns fairly and efficiently. Students who wish to raise a formal complaint about any aspect of their experience — including teaching quality, administrative processes, accommodation, support services, or conduct of staff or other students — may do so through the following process:

•       Informal Resolution: Students are encouraged to first raise concerns directly with the relevant party (e.g., module coordinator, personal tutor, or accommodation manager). Most issues can be resolved at this stage.

•       Formal Complaint: If the issue cannot be resolved informally, the student submits a written complaint to the Student Affairs Office using the Formal Complaint Form available on the Student Portal.

•       Investigation: The Student Affairs Office acknowledges receipt within 3 working days and completes a full investigation within 20 working days, providing a written outcome.

•       Escalation: If unsatisfied with the outcome, the student may escalate the complaint to the BIMI Director General within 14 days.

5.5  Important Policies at a Glance

Policy

Key Requirement

Minimum Attendance

80% of all scheduled learning activities per module

Assessment Submission

All assignments to be submitted by 11:59 PM on the published deadline date

Late Submission Penalty

10% deduction per working day late; zero mark after 5 days without extension

Extension Requests

Must be submitted minimum 48 hours before the deadline with supporting documentation

Examination Eligibility

Minimum 80% attendance AND satisfactory CA performance required to sit end-of-semester exams

Supplementary Exams

Available to students with a D grade; one attempt only; maximum grade achievable is a Pass (C)

Academic Appeals Deadline

14 days from receipt of the written result

Tuition Fee Payment

50% by semester commencement; 100% within 30 days of semester start

Student ID Card

Must be carried at all times on campus and presented on request to any staff member

Library Book Loan Period

14 days for standard loans; 7 days for high-demand titles

Campus Curfew (Under-18s)

All students under 18 years must be within dormitory premises by 10:00 PM

5.6  Student Rights

BIMI is committed to upholding the rights of every student. These include:

•       The right to receive high-quality, evidence-based medical education delivered by qualified and engaged faculty

•       The right to fair, transparent, and timely assessment and feedback

•       The right to access all support services without discrimination

•       The right to raise concerns, complaints, and appeals through fair institutional processes

•       The right to a safe, inclusive, and harassment-free campus environment

•       The right to privacy and confidentiality in relation to health, financial, and personal matters

•       The right to be represented through the Student Council in institutional decision-making

•       The right to appeal any academic or disciplinary decision through an independent process

5.7  Key Contacts & Emergency Information

Service

Contact Details

Student Affairs Office

studentaffairs@bimiedu.com  |  Ext. 101

Academic Registrar

registry@bimiedu.com  |  Ext. 102

Student Health Clinic

clinic@bimiedu.com  |  Ext. 201

Counselling Centre

counselling@bimiedu.com  |  Ext. 202

International Student Support

international@bimiedu.com  |  Ext. 103

Finance Office

finance@bimiedu.com  |  Ext. 104

Library

library@bimiedu.com  |  Ext. 301

Accommodation / Residence

housing@bimiedu.com  |  Ext. 105

Campus Security (24/7)

+996 (000) 000 001

Emergency (Police / Ambulance)

102 / 103

General Enquiries

info@bimiedu.com  |  +996 (000) 000 000