Policies and procedures

Our Academic Regulations provide the means through which the standards of our academic awards, including research degrees, are assured.

Our Academic Quality and Enhancement Manual sets out the academic provision of the University, including validation, examinations and student engagement.

Our Admissions and Enrolment Procedure covers admissions, complaints and appeals about admissions decisions, and enrolment.

The operation of the University's Academic Regulations (PDF File 806 KB) is underpinned by University Procedures, the Assessment and Examinations Procedure and Codes of Practice.

The Assessment and Examination Procedure covers: University assessment procedures, examinations procedures, examination boards, academic misconduct, certificates and transcripts.

The procedure for our students to change course.

If you believe your assessed work has been negatively affected by circumstances outside your control (extenuating circumstances), you can raise this with the relevant Award and Progression Examination Board by submitting a claim for extenuating circumstances using the procedure explained in this document.

The Fitness to Practise Procedure covers all students in the School of Health and Social Care who are undertaking a programme of study which involves patient or service user contact and/or allows for registration to practice as a professional.

The Fitness to Study Procedure is intended as a supportive procedure which can be used by staff when a student’s health, wellbeing and/or behaviour is having a detrimental impact on their ability to progress academically and function at university.

The University holds a Tier 4 sponsor licence which allows it to sponsor students under Tier 4 General of the points-based system. The University takes its licence very seriously and the regulations, policies and guidance listed here concern both applicants who require sponsorship under Tier 4 and current students who hold a Tier 4 visa.

This document sets out the procedure for an interruption or withdrawal from your studies at the University.

The University's Research Degrees Code of Practice covers: academic awards, the application process, registration period, research and professional development, supervision, progression, examination, PhD by published work, higher doctorates, appeals on examination result and graduation.

This Code of Practice applies to the following awards: Masters by Research (MA/MSc), MPhil, PhD, PhD by Published Work, Professional Doctorates and Higher Doctorates.

The Student Appeals Procedure describes the processes for students to appeal against academic decisions by the University; in other words decisions relating to the administration of the marking process, progression and the awarding of qualifications.

This procedure describes what a student needs to do if they wish to complain about any aspect of the delivery of their programme, which they believe has affected their ability to engage effectively with their studies.

A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction by one or more students about the University’s action, inaction or standards of service, on or off the campus, which the student(s) have not been able to resolve through informal processes.

The Academic Misconduct Procedure applies to every student enrolled and registered with the University, including students on programmes delivered in partnership with other providers, unless otherwise stated in the student handbook.

Where more than one student is involved in a case of suspected academic misconduct, the University may choose whether to take joint or separate action against them under this procedure.

The Student Compensation and Refund Policy sets out possible risks to continuation of study and the University's position on refunds and compensation if those risks materialise.

This procedure applies to unacceptable conduct of any enrolled student of the University, with the exception of (a) academic misconduct which will be dealt with in accordance with the University’s Code of Practice 6 Academic Misconduct, (b) conduct which causes no damage of any kind to the University or any person or body connected to it, and (c) conduct which will be dealt with under the School of Health and Social Care’s Fitness to Practise procedure (PDF File 639 KB).

We offer every undergraduate student the opportunity for a placement, internship or a professional experience during their time at LSBU. Student placements are an essential part of many undergraduate programmes and postgraduate research projects, providing students with valuable work experience and networks of contacts in their chosen disciplines.

The Tuition Fee Regulations cover key financial matters for Home and EU undergraduate and postgraduate students, including fee information, how to pay, self-funding procedures and loan access.

The Halls of Residence Disciplinary Procedure applies to every student living in an LSBU hall of residence.

We're committed to the provision of equality for all, valuing diversity across all the dimensions of difference. This is set out in our Equality and Diversity Policy Statement.

We've also developed the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy to ensure everyone who studies and works here does so free of discrimination.

We're committed to protecting people's rights and privacy in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

The Health and Safety Policy sets out the vision and high performing aspiration of the University in its approach to health and safety. The policy enables staff, students and visitors to go about their business or studies safely, and the University to provide an excellent environment for all its stakeholders.

We're required to adopt a Publication Scheme in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Scheme is a guide to information routinely held and made available to the public.

This policy provides a framework for assessment, management and commercial development of intellectual property arising at LSBU.

Intellectual Property Policy (PDF File 146 KB)

This statement sets out the steps LSBU is taking with the aim that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place within its supply chain or business.

Modern Slavery Act Statement (PDF File 128 KB)

This policy is in place to allow students, staff and others associated with the University by an employment or business contract to raise concerns and disclose information about perceived malpractice.

Full information on library services and related supporting policies and guidelines can be found in the Library section of the myLSBU Student Portal.

As a University IT user (staff or student), you must familiarise yourself with our Procedural Statements on the use of the internet and other computing services, to ensure your compliance.

Full information on accommodation services, including rules and regulations, documents and forms and customer feedback can be found on our student portal.

The University can provide a reference to potential employers, other colleges or universities, a professional body or to a public body. References will provide standard information about the student as detailed below. Academic comments, including details about academic ability, will be provided at the academic's discretion only. The University will endeavour to provide a reference wherever possible, however it is not obligated to do so. A transcript of an award, or successfully completed modules, can also be provided. These can be ordered on our Buy and Book Online website.

Types of references

• Standard – confirmation of student name, course studied, qualification obtained, start date and completion date.
• Academic – confirmation of standard information above and academic comments that may contain information about the student’s academic abilities. Academic comments may be made only at the discretion of a relevant academic member of staff and are typically provided for up to two years following a student's last attendance at the University. The two-year period may be extended if a reference is required for further education and the relevant academic is still a member of staff at the University.

The University does not provide personal/character references. Any such requests may be addressed to the relevant academic member of staff who may provide it solely at their own discretion and independently of the University.

Requesting a reference

• References that require comment from an academic should be sent directly to the selected academic referee at their University email address. Students are advised to confirm that an academic is able to provide them with a reference before providing their details for a reference to be obtained.
• If a reference for employment or higher education requires only standard confirmation of dates of study, course and award, these requests should be sent to student.records@lsbu.ac.uk
• Teacher Education student reference requests should be sent to AHSSchoolspartnerships@lsbu.ac.uk (please note, this is only for LSBU students in the Education Division).
• Current students can obtain confirmation of student status letters (confirms dates of study and course) from the Student Life Centre at studentlife@lsbu.ac.uk

For the following please email references@lsbu.ac.uk:

• A point of contact for recruiters or students who are unaware of who to approach for a reference or are experiencing difficulties in obtaining a reference.
• References that have been completed and submitted can be sent to the team for filing on the student’s record.

Completing application forms/providing referee details

Please ensure you ask your nominated academic referee if they are able to write a reference for you before providing their details for a reference to be obtained. When completing an application form, or providing referee details, please give the name of your selected referee and their University email address. It is important to arrange a referee in good time. During busy periods academics can receive a large number of requests so it is recommended that you give at least 2 weeks notice where possible.

If you experience difficulties in contacting an academic referee or obtaining a reference, or you are unsure of who to contact, please email references@lsbu.ac.uk.