Student Charter

Introduction

​​What can you expect from Albion?

Our Student Charter aims to:

• Explain in simple terms what all our students can expect from Albion
• Outline what is reasonably expected of students by Albion
• Be an effective signpost for our students to help them access a range of information that will help them throughout their studies.
• Reflect Albion’s key values, as outlined below:​

Nurture

We are committed to nurturing the holistic development of our students and staff – their academic, social, emotional, physical, cultural, and spiritual well-being.

This Charter outlines our commitment to providing a quality student experience, to support equality and diversity, and to building a strong sense of community within Albion for our students. It also highlights our commitment to the sustainable development of the local communities of which we are part as well as playing an effective role in the wider sustainability agenda.

In general​

You can expect:

• To be able to fully participate in the academic and social life of Albion
• To be treated with courtesy and fairness, and in a timely manner  
• To experience a safe and secure environment, free from harassment, victimisation, sexual misconduct, or discrimination of any kind (including initiation-style events for student activities)
• To be actively supported when you need help
• Albion to use your learning data in a responsible way, and to use this data to enable you to better understand how you are engaging with your studies or programme
• To receive timely communications from Albion about any significant changes being made to your studies or programme.

We expect you:

• To take an active part in our supportive educational community
• To be considerate and respectful to our diverse community of students, staff members and visitors
• To play your part in creating a community that is safe, secure, and free from harassment, victimisation, sexual misconduct, or discrimination of any kind
• To be aware of and considerate to the local communities of which we are a part
• To not bring Albion into disrepute, and to abide by Albion’s Code of Conduct at all times including your behaviour whilst on-line, and both on and off campus.
• To enrol on an annual basis, and to pay any monies owed to Albion on time

Your studies​

You can expect from Albion:

• An experience that will be challenging, stimulating, and invigorating, in which you are part of a supportive learning community
• Staff that are professional, well qualified and who demonstrate currency in both their knowledge of their subject and their understanding of student learning.
• Access to an on-line learning environment giving you access to a wide range of information and resources to enrich your learning
• Access to library resources that effectively support your learning, with specialist staff that are focused on your needs
• To receive all necessary information about your studies in a timely manner
• An induction programme at the beginning of your studies to give you a strong foundation for success
• To receive effective and timely feedback on your academic work
• To receive effective representation on matters related to your studies through the Course Representative system and other student representatives.
• An academic member of staff to engage with you and to act as either your Personal Tutor or Academic Supervisor for the duration of your course

We expect you:

• To participate fully and appropriately in the learning activities of your studies, and to meet all attendance, engagement, study, and assessment requirements
• To have access to personal computing equipment and connectivity enabling secure use of Albion’s systems and resources for your studies.
• To have access to personal computing equipment in order that you can be successful in your studies.
• To be aware of and comply with all regulations and procedures governing your course/studies.
• To reflect on the feedback you receive from your assessments and any submitted work to inform your future work and develop your skills
• To engage with your Personal Tutor or Academic Supervisor throughout the duration of your studies, attending meetings as required.
• To act responsibly in your use of Albion’s resources, respecting the needs of other users and observing any health & safety requirements
• To be aware of and comply with our regulations governing the use of libraries, computing, and networking facilities
• To act with academic integrity, following academic regulations and assessment guidelines. This includes only submitting work that is entirely your own and acting honestly when claiming dispensation through the extenuating circumstances procedures
• To be aware of and comply with Albion’s principles and procedures governing ethics and integrity in research and assessment

Your development​

You can expect from Albion:

• To be able to access a range of advice, interventions and support services that better enable you to be well equipped for graduate/professional level employment upon the completion of your studies
• Access to a range of practical work-based experiences that are either linked directly to your studies or that you can freely access to build your capabilities
• Where appropriate, your course or academic department to have direct links with relevant professional accrediting bodies, so that wherever possible you will be viewed as highly qualified by employers
• A range of opportunities open to you to actively engage in and be recognised for volunteering, leading student-led projects, and representing your peers. Such opportunities can enhance your student experience and develop your skills
• Access to a wide range of support to enhance your study skills to give you the best chance of academic success

We expect you:

• To be proactive in utilising the services and opportunities available to build your skills and experiences beyond your studies so you have the greatest chance of achieving success in the employment market once your studies are complete
• To respect and abide by the policies of any workplace or organisation in which you may be engaged via work experience or voluntary positions.

Your student life​

You can expect from Albion:

• Access to easy-to-find high quality confidential and appropriate support, advice and guidance on issues that affect you whilst you are a student
• A range of support services that will support your wellbeing, health, and welfare
• High quality facilities and services that enhance your student experience

We expect you:

• To be proactive in seeking out any personal support that you may feel you need
• To advise Albion of any circumstances, needs or restrictions that may affect your successful participation in Albion whether they be pre-existing or new, in order that we can support you effectively
• To behave responsibly when representing Albion at sporting, cultural or other events

Your views​

You can expect from Albion:

• To have opportunities to provide feedback to Albion on the quality of its academic programmes and support services
• To have at least one fully trained student representative for your course/area of study
• To have the opportunity to become involved as a student representative should you so wish
• That copies of minutes from official committee meetings are available on its website
• That clear and transparent information is provided on action taken in response to student feedback

We expect you:

• To engage with the feedback mechanisms that Albion uses to gauge student opinion (e.g., Annual Course Evaluation (ACE); National Student Survey (NSS); Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES); Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)

Your concerns or difficulties​

You can expect from Albion:

• To be able to make a complaint or lodge an appeal using the official procedures without fear of any recrimination
• To enable you to easily report any concerns related to harassment, victimisation, bullying, sexual misconduct (identified or anonymously) and expect a professional and supportive response
• Information about all of Albion’s student-related procedures to be easily accessible on Albion website
• To be treated fairly and reasonably with respect and courtesy if you participate in any institutional investigative or disciplinary procedures

We expect you:

• To follow the procedures closely, and wherever possible, to provide relevant key facts and supporting evidence within the specified timescales
• To act with respect and courtesy if you are involved in any of Albion’s procedures
• Not to make any malicious or vexatious complaints or allegations

Further information and useful links​

There is an expectation that students will behave in accordance with our Student Code of Conduct, and that students should expect Albion to invoke its investigatory/disciplinary procedures should any students breach the code.

More details on the content of this document and a wide range of further useful information and student-related policies can be found on our web pages.

We hope that you find this Student Charter useful and relevant, and we would welcome your suggestions on how we could improve it.