Fitness to Study

Welcome to the Fitness to Study page, designed to guide and support you in matters relating to the University’s Fitness to Study Policy. 

The Fitness to Study Policy & Procedure provides a transparent, robust and equitable approach where there are serious and significant concerns for a student and their ability to engage in university-related activities, such as undertaking academic study, managing the demands of university life, and adhering to the Student Charter and relevant University policies.

You’ll find information here on:

• Getting advice
• What happens if you have concerns about your fitness to study
• What happens if the University has concerns about your fitness to study

Read the Fitness to Study Policy

Find out about the support you can access

What is covered by the policy?

There may be circumstances where a student is unable to fully participate in university-related activities or meet the learning outcomes of their course (with reasonable adjustments), without compromising the health, safety, wellbeing or academic progress of themselves or others. The Fitness to Study Policy & Procedure defines how the University will respond to these cases.

The Policy applies to: 

• All registered students, regardless of the course, campus location, level or mode of study; 
• Students both on and off campus, and whilst participating in all University-related activities, inclusive of Team UoP and Students’ Union activities and students residing in University-owned halls of residence.

The policy is not punitive but supportive, aiming to work collaboratively with students to find appropriate solutions and support mechanisms.

When might this policy apply?

The Policy applies to students who the University believes: 

• Pose a risk to their own health, safety and/or wellbeing and/or that of others; 
• Behave in a way that negatively affects (or risks affecting) the teaching, learning and/or experience of others in the University community; 
• Behave in a way that negatively affects (or risks affecting) the day-to-day activities of the University or placement provider

Step 1: Initiating Fitness to Study

If there are concerns regarding your health, safety or wellbeing, these will first be managed under the Support to Study Procedure, which provides a supportive framework for responding to emerging and enhanced concerns. Only when a case is of a seriousness or complexity that the Support to Study and other relevant procedures are no longer sufficient should a case be considered for referral to the Fitness to Study Policy & Procedure.

If the University decides to start the Fitness to Study procedures, the next step is to carry out a Risk Assessment to determine if any precautionary measures are needed. 

 

Precautionary/emergency measures

The safety and well-being of all students is our top priority.  In some situations, we may need to take immediate measures to protect everyone involved while the process is ongoing.  These measures are not about assigning blame but ensuring a safe and supportive environment for the whole university community. 

Examples of precautionary measures include:

• Asking you to temporarily stay away from campus and university activities
• Restricting your access to specific areas of the university
• Requiring you to move to a different room in university-managed housing
• Asking you to temporarily leave university-managed accommodation
• Temporarily suspending all university-related activities

Any decision to implement precautionary measures will be subject to a robust risk assessment process and the measures will only be kept in place for as long as necessary. 

The Student Casework team will notify you of any approved precautionary measures and the next steps for your case. 

Step 2: formal process 

Once the risk assessment has been completed and any precautionary measures implemented, the next step will usually be a Fitness to Study Panel. 

The Panel will be made up of senior staff and a Secretary who have had no previous involvement in the matter. 

The Panel may decide that additional information is required before the Panel meeting can take place. Where this is the case, the Student Casework team will appoint an investigator to gather a specified set of additional information and to prepare a report for consideration by the Panel. This will be completed within 30 working days. 

The Panel will then meet to discuss your case. You will be invited to attend the Panel and answer any questions, and you will be given a copy of any information to be considered by the Panel. 

What happens in the panel meeting? 

This will be a formal review of your fitness to continue studying at the University. 

Potential recommendations include:

•  Temporary suspension of studies
•  Alternative study arrangements
•  Academic program adjustment
•  In the most serious cases, exclusion from the University 

You will receive the outcome of the Panel in writing and you have the right to appeal the outcome. 

Return to Study Panel

Any return to study from a period of suspension agreed under this Policy will need to be agreed by a Return to Study Panel. 

If you wish to return to your studies from suspension, you must notify the Student Casework team at least 2 calendar months before the planned return. 

You will be asked to provide evidence and complete a self-assessment document and the Student Casework team will then convene a Return to Study Panel, following the same procedures as for a Fitness to Study Panel (above).   

If the Panel decides you are fit to return to your studies, it will also consider any support you may need to facilitate this. 

Appeals 

 You have the right to appeal the outcome of either the Fitness to Study or Return to Study Panel, within 10 working days of receiving the Decision Notice. 

The grounds for appeal are as follows:  

i. There has been a procedural irregularity in the conduct of the fitness process; 

ii. New material evidence is available which was not previously reasonably available; 

iii. The decision made was unreasonable and/or the sanction imposed was disproportionate to the circumstances.

If your appeal doesn't fit these reasons, the University will likely treat it as a complaint instead. 

Submit an appeal

The University will advise you (usually within 10 working days) if there are grounds to convene an appeal Panel to reconsider the decision. At the end of the Appeal stage, the University will issue a Completion of Procedures letter.

Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)

If you feel your appeal has not been properly handled, you can apply to an independent body, once the University has issued the Completion of Procedures letter. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) handles individual complaints once a student has exhausted the internal procedures of their university

Your rights and responsibilities

Your rights

• Confidential and supportive approach
• Opportunity to explain your circumstances
• Access to support services
• Right to have a support person present in meetings

Your responsibilities

• Engage openly with support processes
• Provide relevant medical or supporting documentation when requested
• Participate in recommended support interventions
• Communicate proactively about your challenges

Seeking help

If you have any concerns about your fitness to study, or that of one of your classmates, you could speak to the following staff:

• Personal Tutor or Course Leader
• Student Services
• Student Wellbeing

Remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Don’t wait to ask for help if you are struggling. 

In an emergency

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. If you are able, try to find a safe location and someone nearby who may be able to assist you.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need urgent medical or emotional support, please see our Urgent Support page.