Swansea University prides itself on being a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive community and as a student registered at your partner institution in collaboration with Swansea University, you are part of this community. A positive student experience relies on a successful partnership between the University, your partner institution and most integrally you, our students, and we are committed to supporting you to ensure you reach your full potential.
This Student Charter was created to outline and reinforce our commitments to you, and the role and responsibilities that you have in making the most of your time with Swansea. It was produced in partnership between our students, and the University’s Student Partnership & Engagement Team and highlights specific pledges of all our staff and students. We can all play our part in creating a supportive, inclusive, and positive learning environment. This Charter embodies the principles that will help make your time with Swansea even more worthwhile.
Further details of the regulations and expectations for students can be found in the Student Handbook.
Our Student Charter aims to:
- Explain in simple terms what every student can expect from the University;
- Outline what is reasonably expected of students by the University;
- Highlight our joint commitment to enhancing the student experience;
- Be a valuable reference-point for our students to help them access a range of information that will help them throughout their studies.
The University will:
- Work in partnership to create an environment where students can enjoy a positive academic and social student experience, leading to a successful graduate career, without fear of unfair discrimination, harassment, or stereotyping.
- Provide clear and structured course information where relevant.
- Protect students’ interests in the event of course/institution closure or change of course delivery. Procedures are in place to respond to these circumstances, which will mitigate the potential impact on students, recognising the different needs of the diverse student body.
- Train frontline and student-facing Swansea University staff in essential equity, equality, diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding topics including the relevant legislation and public sector equality duty.
- Ensure that all Swansea University staff encourage all students to treat each other equally, with courtesy and respect regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership or sexual orientation.
- Provide support mechanisms to victims of bullying and harassment, victims of hate crime and survivors of sexual assault, and any other issue which goes against our institution’s values.
- Ensure that curriculum materials undergo review to ensure they embody balance, fairness, and inclusivity by incorporating perspectives from a wide range of source, reflecting diversity within academic content.
- Take proactive steps to explore positive actions that foster diverse representation among students. This may involve monitoring representation among students, establish initiatives to address potential barriers, and fostering opportunities for underrepresented groups.
- Encourage Academic Staff to exhibit cultural competency in their teaching and interactions with students, fostering an inclusive learning environment that embraces diverse communication, approaches to learning and needs.
- Continue to deliver a Health and Wellbeing Strategy by providing mental health and wellbeing support and embracing the five ways to wellbeing.
- Clearly signpost to the support services that the University makes available.
- Responsibly work towards carbon reduction and sustainability and support environmental initiatives.
- Communicate key information with the student body in a timely and effective manner.
- Communicate key information using appropriate methods outlined by partner institutions.
- Ensure that our teaching spaces and facilities are managed in line with applicable health and safety guidelines. Ensure that you are promptly and efficiently informed of any changes that affect the operation of our spaces or services.
- Collaborate with the partner institution and representatives to ensure students can provide feedback effectively and in an appropriate manner. Maintain a fair and impartial procedure to resolve any student complaints.
- Ensure that students are not disadvantaged in any way for having made a complaint.
The Partner Institution will:
- Create an environment where students can enjoy a positive academic and social student experience.
- Engage with training on Swansea University policies and procedures.
- Clearly signpost to the support services available in the partner institution.
- Provide clear and structured course information where relevant.
- Support students through appropriate personal tutors or supervisors alongside academic and pastoral support.
- Ensure, where possible and relevant, that all students are given appropriate opportunities to engage with industry, take on placement opportunities and work experience.
- Communicate key information with the student body in a timely and effective manner, using appropriate methods. Ensure that students are promptly and efficiently informed of any changes that affect the operation of their spaces or services.
- Ensure that teaching spaces and facilities are managed in line with relevant health & Safety guidelines.
- Maintain a fair and impartial procedure to resolve any student complaints and ensure that students are not disadvantaged in any way for having made a complaint.
- Deliver effective student feedback opportunities supported by Swansea University.
- Work closely with student representatives to ensure students can raise feedback.
Students are expected to:
- Actively take part in learning through independent study, attending all lectures, seminars, and other scheduled sessions throughout the academic year.
- Abide by the partner institution’s attendance monitoring regulations.
- Avoid plagiarism, commissioning, and all other forms of academic misconduct.
- Pay tuition fees and other costs within the applicable timeframe.
- Proactively seek support with their studies, when necessary, by attending workshops or speaking with relevant academic staff.
- Act as representatives of the University and the partner institution, treating staff, students, and members of the local community with respect and courtesy.
- Recognise and celebrate the powerful depth of diversity within the University community, students should accept and respect the unique backgrounds and identities of their fellow students.
- Adhere to the expectations upheld by the partner institution and report any behaviour exhibited outside of these expectations.
- Abide by all regulations and follow any guidance outlined in your student handbook.
- Follow any relevant partner legislation or guidance when health and safety issues arise.
- Report any absences as outlined by your partner institution.
- Make use of the Extenuating Circumstances process for illness where necessary.
- Update their contact information whenever changes are made.
- Provide constructive feedback to the University and partner institution as and when feedback opportunities are provided.
- Check all emails and communications from the University and partner institution regularly and respond or act as necessary.
- Proactively communicate with relevant staff of the university and partner institution as necessary.
- Adhere to communication guidelines outlined in your student handbook.
- Follow the regulations as outlined in your handbook.
- Follow appropriate procedures when there is a grievance or complaint they wish to raise.
The Student Charter is reviewed and updated annually with staff and students at the Student Advisory Forum and has been shared with partner institutions for visibility and understanding. The Student Charter is disseminated annually to ensure the whole student body and staff are informed and engaged.
Contact Us:
If you have any questions about the Student Charter, please contact the Student Partnership and Engagement Team.