Each university has its own distinct set of disciplinary policies and procedures. Please use the links below to reveal the information of interest.
Links to procedures and policies
Precautionary / interim measures?
- Full or partial suspension
- No contact with named individuals
approach to Police involvement?
A student can report an issue to the police and the University at the same time – the University is unlikely to investigate a matter at the same time that it is being considered by the police or in the criminal justice system, but the University may, on the basis of a risk assessment, take precautionary action during the police or criminal process.
Right to be represented?
General misconduct
Yes. Any person attending an interview as part of an investigation has the right to be accompanied and/or represented at any interview by a member of the University community, including a member of Edinburgh University Students’ Association staff. A person attending an interview may in addition be accompanied by a specialist provider of health or wellbeing support with the agreement of the Conduct Investigator. Those accompanying or representing the person being interviewed will be given the opportunity to contribute at the Conduct Investigator’s invitation. The Conduct Investigator invites the person being interviewed, or any representative, to make a statement.
Academic misconduct
The student may be accompanied by a member of the University community, e.g. a caseworker p from the Edinburgh University Students’ Association Advice Place, or their Student Adviser.
N.B. Even where universities state that legal representation is not permitted, we have often successfully argued that students ought to be in accordance with the principles of natural justice.
Penalties?
General misconduct
There are a range of penalties available, including:
- A fine;
- A reprimand;
- Suspension of specific privileges for a specified period;
- Requirement to make good in whole or in part, the cost of any damage caused;
- Terminate the occupancy of University managed accommodation;
- Place you “on probation” for a specified period with relevant stated conditions;
- Immediate permanent exclusion;
- A deferred penalty.
Academic misconduct
There are a range of penalties available, including:
- A warning
- Deduction of marks
- Mark reduced to zero
- Referral for disciplinary action under the Code of Student Conduct (including any penalties available therein)
- Deemed failure of the assessment
Right to appeal?
Yes, The Student Appeal Regulations are here - Appeal Guidance for students
General misconduct
You must lodge an appeal within 10 working days of the decision being issued.
- Ground A: Substantial information directly relevant to the investigation of a student discipline case which for good reason was not available to the Student Discipline Officer or Student Discipline Committee when their decision was taken.
- Ground B: Alleged irregular procedure or improper conduct of an investigation and disciplinary action. This includes conduct of a meeting of the Student Discipline Committee.
Academic misconduct
Final Year: you must appeal within 30 working days of being informed of the decision.
All others: you must appeal within 10 working days of being informed of the decision.
- Ground A: Substantial information directly relevant to the quality of performance in the assessment which for good reason was not available to the examiners when their decision was taken.
- Ground B: Evidence of irregular procedure, improper conduct, or lack of due diligence in the conduct of an assessment. For this purpose ‘conduct of an assessment’ includes the conduct of a meeting of the Board of Examiners.
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO)
After you have appealed, you are entitled to ask the SPSO to look at your appeal. The SPSO considers complaints from people who remain dissatisfied at the conclusion of the appeal process.
Contact our Student & University lawyers:
If you require further information or advice from our team of specialist lawyers, please contact a member of the team using one of the methods below.
This information was drafted in the months leading up to September 2023. It does not constitute legal advice. As University policies are updated from time-to-time, the information on this page may contain some inaccuracies and you should always check your University’s resources and/or seek legal advice where appropriate.
We treat all personal data in accordance with our data protection policy.