Student disciplinary

Please follow this link to the 'B3: Student disciplinary regulations' for the 2024/25 academic year. N.B. These Regulations are updated by the University on a regular basis. Please view the Academic and Student Regulations and Procedures webpage for the latest version.

Types of misconduct

Regulations 23-29 of the University’s student disciplinary regulations gives examples of acts considered by the University to constitute misconduct. Please note that this list is not exhaustive but does provide guidance on the different types of behaviour viewed as misconduct.

It is important to note that breach of a University code, rule or regulation can lead to a finding of misconduct. For example, this includes a breach of the University’s conditions of residence outlined in the residents' guide (PDF) or a breach of the Misuse of Drugs by Students Policy (PDF)

Minor misconduct

An Authorised Person (which includes University staff members such as the Student Communities & Engagement team and the Campus Safety team) will make enquiries in order to determine whether they feel misconduct has taken place and whether they feel it should be viewed as major or minor. Minor offences may include a first offence of making unacceptable noise during quiet hours.

Penalties for misconduct

Regulation 36 of the University’s student disciplinary regulations gives details of the penalties available for minor misconduct. This includes penalties such as a fine of any value up to £200, a final written warning and a requirement to move to a new University residence.

Appealing penalties

You must appeal the penalty for minor misconduct by completing the relevant form below:

• Appeal form against a decision/penalty imposed by an authorised person (PDF)
• Appeal form against a decision/penalty imposed by an authorised person (doc).

You must submit your appeal within 10 working days of receiving the penalty.

The grounds for appeal are detailed in Regulation 44 of the University’s student disciplinary regulations.

An OSCAR Case Manager will investigate whether there are sufficient grounds and evidence for the appeal to be upheld and will make a recommendation. The recommendation will be evaluated. If OSCAR recommends that there are grounds for the appeal to be upheld and their recommendation is confirmed, your appeal will be upheld. If OSCAR recommends that there are not grounds for the appeal to be upheld and their recommendation is confirmed, OSCAR will write to you explaining the grounds for dismissal of your appeal.

Major misconduct

An Authorised Person (which includes University staff members such as the Student Communities & Engagement team and the Campus Safety team) will make enquiries in order to determine whether they feel misconduct has taken place and whether they feel it should be viewed as major or minor. Major offences may include sexual misconduct, supplying illegal drugs or multiple repeat minor offences.

If major misconduct is suspected, an Authorised Person will refer the case to OSCAR who will evaluate the case and may make a recommendation that a Student Disciplinary Panel should be convened.

No less than 5 working days before a Student Disciplinary Panel hearing, OSCAR will write to you to:

• Tell you the date, time and place of the meeting
• Give you a copy of the documents that the Student Disciplinary Panel will consider
• Send you a copy of the procedures that the Student Disciplinary Panel will follow
• Ask you if you wish to provide a written statement or present any special circumstances in mitigation (you must have evidence for this);
• Remind you to seek Students’ Union advice
• Remind you of the penalties a Student Disciplinary Panel can impose.

Attending a Panel hearing

You can attend a Student Disciplinary Panel hearing in person, virtually or by telephone.

If you cannot attend a Student Disciplinary Panel hearing, you should respond in writing that you cannot attend. You can still provide a written statement in advance of the Panel meeting. You can also ask a friend or Students’ Union representative to attend as an observer.

If you fail to respond and do not attend, the Student Disciplinary Panel will proceed in your absence.

Outcomes of a Panel hearing

A Student Disciplinary Panel may decide:

• That no misconduct has been committed (and the case is closed) or
• That the misconduct committed is a minor offence (and that a penalty for a minor offence should be applied) or
• That the misconduct committed is a major offence (and that a penalty for a major offence should be applied).

Penalties for misconduct

Regulation 65 of the University’s student disciplinary regulations gives details of the penalties available for major misconduct. A Student Disciplinary Panel can apply one or more of the penalties available for minor offences and further penalties such as revoking your right to live in University accommodation, suspending you for a defined period or expelling you.

Sanctions Guidance for proven sexual misconduct

The Sanctions Guidance provides indicative sanctions and outlines factors which may be considered when determining sanctions.

Appealing penalties

You can appeal a penalty for major misconduct by completing the relevant form:

• Appeal form against a Disciplinary Panel decision (PDF)
• Appeal form against a Disciplinary Panel decision (doc).

You must submit your appeal within 10 working days of receiving the outcome of your Student Disciplinary Panel.

The grounds for appeal are detailed in Regulation 73 of the University’s student disciplinary regulations.

An OSCAR Case Manager will investigate whether there are sufficient grounds and evidence for the appeal to be upheld and two OSCAR Case Managers will decide whether a Disciplinary Appeal Panel should be held. If OSCAR decides that there are not grounds for the appeal to be upheld and OSCAR will write to you explaining the grounds for the dismissal of your appeal.

The outcomes that an Appeal Panel may come to are detailed in Regulations 83 and 84 of the University’s student disciplinary regulations.