Fitness to Practise

Students are expected to observe the standards set out in the Student Code of Conduct. The University hopes that the need for disciplinary action will be rare but will act as appropriate if an allegation of misconduct arises.

Additionally, the University has a responsibility to ensure that students on courses leading to professional registration are fit to practise the profession they are working towards. Students enrolled on such courses are held to professional standards in addition to the standards that apply to all students.  

If you are not a staff member but you wish to raise concerns about a student on a course leading to professional registration, you should complete an Allegation of Misconduct Form (available here); or, you can raise a report via Report and Support.

Our Regulations and Procedures outline the process we use for dealing with an allegation of misconduct against a student on a course leading to professional registration.

Regulations and Procedures 2026/27

Forms

You may also find the following guidance documents helpful:

 

The procedures for 2025/26 and previous years’ regulations are available on request from the Student Casework Unit. Please email: [email protected].

Student Code of Conduct

  • At 2.5, clarification has been added that students are also required to follow the expected standards of the Student’s Union.
  • At 4.1, wording has been added in respect of criminal offences.
  • At 4.2.2, cyber-flashing has been added as a breach of conduct.
  • At 4.2.3, intimidation of parties involved in a casework matter has been added as a breach of conduct.
  • At 4.2.3, information on observing the principles of freedom of speech has been added.
  • At 4.2.6, clarification has been added in respect of possessing weapons.
  • At 4.2.7 and 4.3, the time in which students should inform the University of a police matter/update has been established.

Student Misconduct & Fitness to Practise Regulations

  • Title update from ‘Student Misconduct Regulations’
  • At 1.5, it has been clarified that where a student has not signed up to the most recent regulations, a decision will be made on which regulations to apply.
  • At 2.6, it has been specified that sexual misconduct allegations may require amendment to the timeframe in which allegations can ordinarily be brought forward, to reflect their additional complexity and to instil a trauma-informed approach.
  • At 2.7, guidance on submitting sensitive evidence has been added.
  • At 2.18, guidance on reasonable adjustments has been added.
  • At 2.21, the time in which students should inform the University of a police matter/update has been established, in line with the updated Student Code of Conduct.
  • At 2.27, clarification has been added in respect of offences that took place prior to a student’s enrolment.
  • At 2.30, wording has been added in respect of holding awards in light of a criminal matter.
  • At 2.31, a right to request a review of the decision to hold an award has been added.
  • At 2.33, wording in respect of signing off awards for students on courses leading to professional registration has been clarified.
  • At 4.6, clarification has been added in respect of rescinding credits for students on courses leading to professional registration who have committed a very serious offence.
  • At 5.3, the action the University can take where a written apology is unsatisfactory has been clarified.

 

Sexual Misconduct and Violence Policy

  • At 7, cyber-flashing has been added as a breach of conduct.

 

Risk Assessment Procedure

  • At 19, it has been specified that a No Contact Agreement may be facilitated after the closure of a risk assessment case.
  • At 26, clarification on the fast-track process has been added.
  • At 32, clarification on the timescales for convening a Review Panel has been added.
  • At 36-37, wording in respect of issuing a Completion of Procedures letter has been added.

 

Procedure for Stage 1: Cause for Concern

  • At 5, it has been clarified that the role of a support person is not to represent a student.
  • At 7, the action the University can take where a written apology is unsatisfactory has been clarified.
  • At 8, it has been clarified that, in some cases, it may not be appropriate to take any further action.

 

Procedure for Stage 2: Investigations into Student Misconduct & Fitness to Practise

  • Title change from ‘Procedure for Stage 2: Investigations into Student Misconduct’
  • At 7, it has been clarified that Investigating Officers may be drawn from professional services.
  • At 9, the process for investigating counter-allegations has been outlined.

 

Procedure for Stage 2: Committee Hearings

  • Title change from ‘Procedure for Stage 2: Disciplinary Hearings’.
  • At 12, it has been clarified that students can only call witnesses that they have called/attempted to call during the investigation.
  • At 19, it has been clarified that the sharing of an impact statement with a responding party requires the reporting party’s permission.

 

Procedure for Stage 3: Requests for Review of Stage 2 Misconduct & Fitness to Practise

  • Title change from ‘Procedure for Stage 3: Requests for Review of Stage 2 Misconduct’

The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) have now replaced the Data Protection Act. An explanation of how the University will use your data can be found here and in the Communication Plan at the top of this page. Please note that in accordance with GDPR Regulations any third-party supporting evidence will only be accepted if it is accompanied by a completed Third-Party Consent Form (available under Forms).