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
- General misconduct: General University Disciplinary Regulations
- Academic misconduct: Procedure for investigating cheating, plagiarism, fraudulent or fabricated coursework and malpractice in University examinations and assessments
Precautionary / interim measures?
- Immediate temporary dismissal (i.e. the student must withdraw immediately from the University for a defined period)
approach to Police involvement?
When the police proceed against a student, the University will suspend/not initiate disciplinary action (other than immediate temporary dismissal if the circumstances warrant), pending the outcome of police investigation.
If a student receives a police warning or caution or if the police decide to act no further, then the University may proceed with its investigation.
If the case is referred to court, the University will await the outcome of the trial and will then act as follows:
- if the verdict is not guilty, the University will take no further action in respect of the specific offence;
- if a non-custodial sentence is imposed then the University may decide to proceed with its investigation;
- if a custodial sentence is imposed then the student will have their current registration status rescinded.
If at any time during your academic career at the University you are interviewed by the Police for a criminal offence you are required to report this immediately to the University.
If you are sent for trial the University must be kept informed at all stages either by you or your solicitor.
If you are convicted by the court this and any sentence imposed must be reported to the University.
Failure to make any of the above reports will render you liable for action under the General University Disciplinary Regulations.
Right to be represented?
General misconduct
No. You may be accompanied by a single supporter of your choice but the supporter cannot represent you.
Academic misconduct
No. You may be accompanied by a single supporter of your choice but the supporter cannot represent you. You may seek independent advice and support from the LUU Student Advice Centre advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk
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
For less serious offences:
The following penalties may be imposed by a Student Disciplinary Committee:
- a formal warning;
- a severe warning with any future offence being automatically treated as serious or major;
- a fine not exceeding £100;
- a combination of the above.
For major or serious offences, one of two penalties may be imposed:
- suspension of the student from membership of and/or attendance at the University for a specified period of time together with any or none of the following:
- a fine not exceeding £500
- disqualification of the student from the use of or access to any University service or facility or premises for such period of time as the Committee may decide
- imposition of such conditions as the Committee deems appropriate to the continued pursuit of the student's studies, or to the continued occupation of his or her living accommodation
- ordering an apology to an aggrieved individual and/or compensation, and/or payment for damage to property
b. Expulsion from the University.
Academic misconduct
- Permanent exclusion from the University with no award;
- Suspension followed by the requirement to repeat to pass standard, on a single occasion only as an external or internal candidate, the examination or some or all of the examinations in the Semester or Session where the incident of cheating has occurred.
For plagiarism, fraudulent or fabricated coursework and malpractice in University assessments:
- Written warning
- Required to submit a new piece of work
- Required to repeat the module
- Required to repeat the semester
- Required to repeat the year
- Temporary exclusion
- Permanent exclusion with no award
Right to appeal?
Yes.
General misconduct
You must appeal in writing within 10 working days after the decision has been issued. The grounds on which you can appeal are not seen.
Academic misconduct
You must appeal in writing no later than 14 days after the decision has been issued. In certain cases you have 20 working days to submit an appeal in writing.
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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