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 the student’s right to make representations, the University may temporarily suspend a student from the University (i.e. a total prohibition from the University) if it feels this is necessary for safeguarding purposes.
Approach to police involvement?
The University will wait until the police investigation has concluded before commencing any disciplinary action.
Right to be represented?
General misconduct
The Regulations are silent on whether legal representation is allowed but states that the student can bring a companion who may make representations and ask questions, but cannot answer questions on the student’s behalf.
Academic misconduct
Similarly, the student may bring a member of the university or an advisor from the Students’ Union Advice Centre who may ask questions, but must not answer questions on the student's behalf.
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
The sanctions the University may levy are one or more of the following:
- A written reflection on the behaviour to be provided to the aggrieved party.
- A written warning.
- To require the student to enter into a Good Behaviour Agreement.
- Fines ranging from £100 to a maximum of £300.
- To require compensation for damage to property.
- To require the student to undertake unpaid community services to the University community up to a maximum of 40 hours.
- To require the student to attend rehabilitation programmes.
- To exclude or restrict a student from access to parts of the University or University services.
- To suspend a student from the University.
- To expel a student from the University.
- To recommend that Senate consider withholding an award where it would otherwise withdraw a student’s registration or cancel a registration.
Academic misconduct
If the matter goes to a Panel hearing, then the Panel may find either that there is no breach and take no further action, or signpost the student to additional learning; or it will confirm there has been a breach in which case there are a range of penalties which can be imposed.
Right to appeal?
Yes.
General misconduct
Students may, within 10 days of being notified of an outcome of an investigation or hearing, appeal a decision reached by the University on the following grounds:
- There is new substantive information supported by evidence which was not known by the student and/or the evidence could not have reasonably been obtained by the student in time to present to the University at the time of the original decision; and/or
- There has been significant failure of due process in the making of the original decision i.e. a material procedural irregularity or misinterpretation of the University’s own regulations, or administrative errors which, if they had not occurred, might have impacted significantly on the original decision and/or the sanction imposed.
Academic misconduct
Grounds:
A student must give the University notice of their intention to make an appeal as soon as possible but within 10 working days of the date a decision is first communicated to the student.
-
There is new substantive information supported by evidence which was not known by the student and/or the evidence could not have reasonably been obtained by the student in time to present to the University at the time of the original decision; and/or
-
There has been significant failure of due process in the making of the original decision i.e. a material procedural irregularity or misinterpretation of the University’s own regulations, or administrative errors which, if they had not occurred, might have impacted significantly on the original decision and/or the sanction imposed.
Students may only appeal against a decision if they can show on a balance of probabilities:
- That they possess new substantive information supported by evidence which was not known by the student and/or the evidence could not reasonably have been obtained by the student in time to present to the University; and/or
- That there has been significant failure of due process in the making of the original decision, which the student believes affected the University's original decision; and/or
- That their performance had been adversely affected by illness or by other factors (e.g. family crisis) which, in exceptional circumstances, they were unable or for valid reason unwilling to disclose to the University before it made its original decision.
You can find guidance on academic appeal here.
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.
We treat all personal data in accordance with our data protection policy.