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?
Subject to various grounds and the student’s right to appeal, the University may whilst a general misconduct investigation is ongoing:
- Require a student to enter a contract outlining expectations of a student’s conduct during the investigation (a breach of which may result in a referral to a major disciplinary board);
- Suspend the students from their studies; and/or
- Exclude the student from the University’s grounds, facilities and premises.
Approach to police involvement?
The University will not ordinarily pursue disciplinary action against a student while they are the subject of a police investigation, but it reserves the right to do so; particularly if the safety of one or more members of the University is at risk.
If the student is acquitted of a criminal offence or where the police decide to take no further action, the University may still take action but will take into account the decision of the criminal court.
Right to be represented?
General misconduct
There is only the right to be accompanied by a silent observer.
Academic misconduct
Yes, but only to clarify something the student may have said or to ask a question/clarification if they think the student has not understood a question. This may include a legal representative.
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
- A written warning;
- A caution (which means that no penalty is imposed, but if the student is found guilty of the same or a similar offence on a subsequent occasion within a specified period, they will then be dealt with for both offences);
- A suspended fine of not less than £50 but not exceeding £500;
- A fine of not less than £50 but not exceeding £500;
- Compulsory attendance at an appropriate workshop;
- Restitution of damage (where physical damage has been caused);
- Behavioural contract;
- Restorative justice (e.g. a letter of apology);
- Exclusion from use of the use of specific University facilities or services;
- Temporary exclusion from the University; and
- A recommendation that Senate exercise the authority granted under the University Statutes to permanently exclude the student from the University, which can include exclusion from University facilities, grounds and premises.
Academic misconduct
A range of penalties depending on the seriousness of the misconduct. This spans from a written warning to expulsion from the University.
Right to appeal?
Yes.
General misconduct
No later than ten working days from the date of the written decision on one or more of the following grounds:
- Procedural irregularity;
- Bias, or failure to reach a reasonable decision in handling the process;
- Evidence of further material circumstances which could not reasonably have been expected to have been submitted for consideration by the Disciplinary Board; and
- The penalty imposed is disproportionate.
Academic misconduct
No later than 10 working days of the date of the outcome letter on one or more of the following grounds:
- There is evidence of procedural irregularity;
- There is evidence of bias;
- The decision reached is one that no reasonable body (properly directing itself, and taking into account all relevant factors) could have arrived at; and
- The student submits evidence of new material circumstances, and an explanation of why this evidence could not reasonably be expected to have been submitted for consideration when the original decision was made.
Member of the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (“OIA”) Scheme?
Yes – this means that you could potentially complain to the OIA once you have exhausted the University’s internal procedures
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.
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