The University's Legislation addresses matters of institutional governance and organisation. As defined in the University Statutes, University Legislation consists of the Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Regulations and Codes of Practice of the University. All members of staff and students are subject to the Legislation.
Whilst the Charter and Statutes are at the top of this hierarchy and address matters of institutional governance and organisation, most staff and students are affected directly only by Ordinances, Regulations and Codes of Practice, which contain principles and standards designed to control or govern conduct or provide direction.
Charter
The Charter lays down the core tenets of the governance of the University: its establishment and legal status, its objects and powers, its governing body and key institutional officers. Amendments to the Charter have to be approved by the Privy Council.
The University Charter can be viewed on this page.
Statutes
The Statutes set out the legal framework for the exercise of the University's powers. They prescribe the composition, business and powers of the Council and Senate as well as other provisions in connection with the governance of the University and the promotion of the objects of the Charter. Amendments to the Statutes also have to be approved by the Privy Council.
The University Statutes can be viewed on this page.
Ordinances
The Ordinances provide more detail on the exercise of powers than in the Statutes. They distribute the authority of Council to committees and to executive officers, and control use of that authority. They contain provisions regarding the Senate, the University Executive Board, and College Boards, and establish the main elements of the University's organisational structure. Ordinances may be amended or augmented by the University Council.
The University Ordinances can be viewed on this page.
Regulations
The Regulations contain principles and standards designed to control or govern conduct or provide direction at a more detailed level than Ordinances. Sections 1-4 and section 9 may be amended or augmented by the Council. Authority to amend or augment sections 5-8 (the academic and student-related Regulations) has been delegated to the Senate.
Codes of Practice, Policies and Guidance Documents
Supplementing the Regulations, there are a number of academic and academic-related Codes of Practice and other policies and guidance documents.
Cohort Legislation
The University introduced ‘cohort legislation’ in 2017-18. This means that the Legislation (i.e. Regulations, Codes of Practice, Policies and Guidance) that applies to you throughout your Programme of study depends upon your entry cohort, i.e. the year in which you started your studies. Specific cohort legislation can be found on the Regulations and Codes of Practice pages.
Archived Legislation
The University has two categories of 'archived legislation'. The first category of archived legislation is cohort legislation that could still be in use (due to students from that entry cohort remaining registered with the University), but because criteria being met, is no longer updated. The second category of archived legislation is for legislation that is no longer being used.
Further detail, along with all archived legislation, can be viewed on the Archived Legislation page.
Changes to Legislation
University Legislation may need to be amended from time to time, either to reflect external requirements (for example, those of professional or accrediting bodies) or because a change to policy or practice has been agreed internally. Consideration will be given to whether any proposed change should apply to all legislation or to a specific cohort, and students will normally be consulted about or informed of the change, depending on its nature. Information is published when any significant changes are made to University Legislation, this is done through a 'Changes to University Legislation for the XXX Cohort' document that is available on each of the cohort legislation pages.
Student Charter
"The Charter, jointly developed by students and staff, outlines the standards and core principles of our learning community." Vice-Chancellor and the President of the Guild of Students
Please see our Student Charter web pages for further information.
Human Resources and Staffing
For Codes of Practice and Policies relating to Human Resources and Staffing, please consult the Human Resources web pages.