Student conduct

•  Antisocial behaviour or the active promotion of antisocial behaviour; 
• Inappropriate, abusive or threatening behaviour, including on social media; 
• Compromising the safety of and/or wellbeing of staff, other students, or visitors, or causing a health and safety concern. This may include failure to follow the safety guidelines relevant to the sport or activity; 
• Sexual misconduct; 
• Violence, harassment and hate crimes/speech; 

• Failure to act in compliance with the Dignity and Respect Policy, including discrimination/harassment based on someone’s age, disability, gender reassignment, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation; 

• Behaviour likely to bring the University into disrepute, such as disruptive behaviour in the community; 

• Internet access abuse, such as visiting inappropriate websites, uploading/ downloading inappropriate content, and propagation of computer viruses;

• Disruptive behaviour on the University’s premises, such as setting off fire alarms or obstructing access to buildings or rooms; 

• Damage to or deliberate misuse of the University’s property or abuse of its facilities; 

• Relying on forged, falsified or fraudulent documentation, and other forms of deception that are intended to gain an advantage, for example, submitting fraudulent extenuating circumstances claims or falsifying evidence in support of extenuating circumstances claims (this may also be considered an academic disciplinary matter); 

• Persistently contacting someone against their wishes;  

• Not declaring a criminal charge/conviction when required to do so;

• Arranging or participating in initiation/hazing activities in relation to sporting or social activities; 

• Substance misuse (including during sporting or social activities) or breach of policy related to the possession of illegal drugs for personal use. 

• Other behaviour which may also constitute a criminal offence. 

As defined by the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, sexual misconduct is defined as any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. 

Sexual misconduct can occur: 

• In person, by letter, telephone, text, email or other electronic means and/or social media; 

• Between individuals of any gender identity or sexual orientation; 

• By someone known to the victim or by a stranger; 

• In any location on or off campus. 

We will actively respond to all reports of sexual misconduct and will respect the rights of the individual reporting an incident to choose how to take the matter forward.  

We believe that no person should experience the effects of sexual misconduct alone and will ensure that there is dedicated specialist support for all individuals involved. Further details can be found in the Sexual Misconduct Policy.  

The University upholds both the principles of academic freedom and inclusion. While the University encourages respectful and informed approaches to diverse topics, academic staff retain the right to present evidence-based research, theories, and scholarly viewpoints on all subjects, including those related to protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 (Protected academic expression). Course content should aim to represent diverse perspectives while preserving the academic freedom to explore challenging or contested topics through rigorous scholarly discourse. Where potential tensions may arise between creating inclusive environments and protecting freedom of expression, the University will seek to enable both by focusing on the manner of expression rather than restricting legitimate content. The University is committed to facilitating difficult conversations while ensuring respect for all community members. 

We believe many issues can be resolved quickly and informally at an early stage (usually within 10 to 20 working days). 

The University offers a restorative informal approach, which is often sufficient to resolve the matter without the need for more formal means. 

If an informal resolution is appropriate, an Authorised Person will be appointed by either the Head (or equivalent) of the School or Professional Service or the Student Casework team to discuss the matter with both the reported student and the reporting party and to make a record of the discussion and outcome. Options for informal resolution may include:  

• Facilitating a meeting or mediation; 
• Contacting the student on the person's behalf to explain the concerns; 
• Requesting that certain unwanted behaviours or contact not be repeated, or; 
• Facilitating supportive measures for the person concerned to reduce future contact. 

​​Informal resolution is always undertaken in good faith, to foster good community relations, and is not based on any assumption about whether or not misconduct has occurred. Any intervention does not represent a decision by the University about any potential misconduct, nor apportion blame.

If the matter is resolved at this stage, there is no further action required. This will be communicated via email to the reported student and reporting party by the Authorised Person. If this is not the case, then the matter will proceed to formal investigation.

If Early Resolution fails or is not appropriate, the next step is an investigation (which is usually completed within 30 working days). 

During this phase, an investigator with no previous involvement will gather evidence, including statements from both parties and any relevant witnesses. Both sides will have an opportunity to share their perspectives, and the investigation will be conducted fairly, with respect for everyone’s rights.  

The possible outcomes of the investigation include: 

• The student has not been considered to be in breach of the Policy and the matter will be closed; 
• The student has been considered to be in breach of the Policy and the matter can be resolved at this stage with the imposition of a minor or moderate sanction; 
• There is a case to answer for a breach of the Policy and a Panel should be convened to consider if a major sanction is appropriate.    

If either of the first two outcomes occur, there will be no further action after any sanctions are implemented. If a Panel is requested, the Student Casework team will convene a Panel (see below)

A Panel is required where there is evidence of a serious or repeated breach of the Policy such that a major sanction should be considered. The panel consists of independent University staff who will carefully review all the information from the investigation stage and then make a decision on the appropriate outcome, which may include:

• Suspension or exclusion from the university.  
• Exclusion from accessing specific university premises and services.

The reported student is invited to attend the Panel meeting and explain their perspective. 

Following the Panel meeting, the University will issue a written outcome explaining the student’s right to appeal the decision.

The reporting party will also receive details of the outcome. 

The reported student has the right to appeal the outcome of the case, within 10 working days of receiving the outcome.

The grounds for appeal are as follows:  

i. There has been a procedural irregularity in the conduct of the disciplinary 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 disciplinary offence.

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

Submit a Conduct appeal

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

The reporting party does not have the right to appeal the outcome of the case, although reporting students have the right to complain to the University about the way the case was handled, under the Student Complaints Procedure.

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.