Frequently asked questions - student conduct

Code of Student Conduct

Q What does the Code of Student Conduct mean for me?

A. All students are covered by the Code of Student Conduct, whether you are full-time, part-time, undergraduate, postgraduate, taking continuing professional development courses, or doing life-long study. The Code of Student Conduct sets out how you are expected to behave and what expectations you can have of the University in dealing with conduct issues. It also sets out the steps that will be taken in dealing with cases of alleged misconduct by students. The Code is supplemented by guidance.

Q Who can report “bad behaviour”?

A. Anyone can report it if they think that a student has not behaved appropriately. If a student or member of the public wants to complain about the conduct of a student then they need to use the Complaint Handling Procedure. If the complaint raises student misconduct issues then these are taken forward by the University through the Code of Student Conduct.

Q What is meant by misconduct?

A. The Code of Student Conduct lists categories of misconduct. To help you understand this, examples of misconduct, and the category under which they are investigated, are given in the Code of Student Conduct Guidance. For example: “12.1 Disrupting, or interfering with any academic, administrative, sporting, social or other University activities; Examples: misbehaving at a lecture or other learning environment, in a student service (such as Careers), a sports fixture, a student society, etc...”

Q I have been accused of misconduct. What will happen?

A. It is likely that your first main contact will come from the Conduct Investigator, a member of staff who will look into the allegations and decide if you are responsible for the offence. They will tell you what the offence is and you will have the opportunity to provide information, including any special circumstances which may apply. If the Conduct Investigator decides that you are responsible for the offence, your case is referred either to a Student Discipline Officer (SDO) or the Student Discipline Committee (SDC). You may be asked to meet the Student Discipline Officer. If your case is considered by the Student Discipline Committee then you will be invited to a hearing. In both cases, you will have the opportunity to make a mitigating statement before a penalty is decided by the SDO or SDC. You have the right to appeal the decision of the SDO or SDC. There is a flowchart that takes you through the student conduct process. You are encouraged to get in touch with The Advice Place as early as possible in the process. They will provide you with support and independent advice.

Q I have been given a penalty but I don’t agree with it. What can I do?

A. You have the right to appeal the decision of the Student Discipline Officer or the Student Discipline Committee. You must appeal within ten working days of the decision being issued. Appeals are submitted to the Secretary of the University's Appeal Committee and must be made on specific grounds. These are detailed in the Code of Student Conduct, Appeals section. You are encouraged to get in touch with The Advice Place who can provide you with support and independent advice on your appeal.

Q I have been accused of academic misconduct. What will happen to me?

A. Academic misconduct is any type of cheating that occurs in relation to a formal academic exercise. This includes plagiarism, collusion, falsification, deceit, cheating and personation. Academic misconduct is investigated by the School and College Academic Misconduct Officers (SAMOs and CAMOs). The Procedures for Dealing with Suspected Academic Misconduct sets out how cases are handled.

Q What can I do if I haven’t done what is being said?

A. Throughout the process you will have the chance to defend yourself and to be supported while doing so. There is no presumption of guilt. You have the chance to provide a written statement and any other supporting information and documents that you think are relevant. You can be accompanied by a member of the University community at any interview or hearing, for example by Advice Place staff.