University launches Student Contract
Published: 3 September 2018
This year, for the first time, the University has introduced a Student Contract – a legally binding contract between students and the University.
This year, for the first time, the University has introduced a Student Contract – a legally binding contract between students and the University. It is formed when students accept an offer of a place on a programme or course, whether taught or research-based.
Previously, the legally binding rights and obligations - or terms and conditions - which made up a student’s contract with the University were contained in a number of documents, in particular their offer letter, various University policies and the University Calendar, which contains the University’s academic regulations.
However, to improve accessibility and transparency, the University has gathered the various rights and obligations into one single student contract document.
Professor Frank Coton, Vice-Principal (Academic & Educational Innovation), who led the University’s Ethical Use of Student Data Working Group which drew up the Student Contract, said: “The Student Contract is very important because it sets out every student’s rights and obligations and the University’s rights and obligations. These rights and obligations on both sides are the same as before but the contract makes them clearer, ensuring that students are better informed.”
This year, students have been “signing up” to the contract online as part of their academic registration and this will continue to be the case in the years to come.
The contract includes information about various fees and sets the standards that students can expect from the University – and the behaviour and academic standards the University expects from students.
First published: 3 September 2018