Our Student Charter

Before you start

You can expect the University to:

• Send you the information you need to complete your enrolment with the University and register for modules on your course. Where relevant, this will include requirements for visa and immigration.
• Provide information on how to apply for accommodation or provide advice if you are planning to commute to the University.
• Provide welcome information that will give an overview of our student support services, help you find your way around the University and settle in.
• Provide you with a timetable for your academic induction.
• Tell you what your tuition fees and any other university charges are, and how to pay them.
• Provide you with access to our student regulations, policies and procedures.

You are expected to:

• Read and follow instructions on enrolment and ensure you have met any requirements for visa and immigration.
• Tell us about your Trusted Contacts during the enrolment process.
• Make sure that you are enrolled with the University and registered for a full set of modules or training for your course, as relevant.
• Declare any relevant criminal convictions in line with the University's Admission of Students with Criminal Convictions policy.
• Let us know if you have particular needs relating to health, mental health condition, neurodivergence, or disability for which reasonable adjustments should be made.
• Make any necessary arrangements with anyone who is financing your studies, such as a local education authority, Student Finance England, employer or sponsor.
• Make arrangements to pay fees and charges and keep to the agreements made.
• Contact the University as soon as possible if your circumstances change, especially where these make it difficult to pay your fees or University charges.
• Complete the recommended preparation for the start of your course, for taught students this includes the University's online welcome module, YSJ for You.

You can expect the Students' Union to:

• Send you pre-arrival information about Students' Union welcome events and social activities for new students.
• Provide you with information about your membership of the Students' Union and its associated benefits, as well as how to opt out of membership.
• Signpost you to relevant student support services.

While you are studying (undergraduate and taught postgraduate students)

You can expect the University to:

• Provide you with an academic tutor who will meet with you throughout your programme.
• Provide you with guidance at the start of each module including information on assessment and the content (books, journal articles, videos, and so on) or equipment you will need to access.
• Design your teaching, learning and assessment to meet your needs, with an embedded approach to critical thinking and creativity, decolonisation and inclusive practice, the University Mental Health Charter and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Embed employability skills into your learning and offer careers advice to plan your future, find volunteering opportunities and part time work.
• Provide you with clear information about your responsibilities for any required placements and support you in participating in those placements.
• Provide you with an excellent learning experience through our high quality digital and physical learning spaces and resources.
• Provide you with a timetable for your taught sessions.
• Provide support for any learner with a disability, mental health condition, learning difference or neurodivergence to help you overcome any barriers to learning.
• Offer a range of student support and wellbeing services, and guidance on how to access them through our Student Hub.
• Follow the Student Behaviour and Disciplinary Policy and the Code of Practice for Assessment.
• Help you access student financial support where your circumstances meet criteria for financial hardship.
• Help you to come to a new arrangement for paying your fees, should your circumstances change.
• Provide clear and accessible information about the University's Concerns and complaints process, including timelines and escalation procedures.

You are expected to:

• Make yourself familiar with the requirements for your course and seek clarification from your tutor, if you are unsure of what is expected.
• Attend all scheduled taught sessions as an active participant and let your tutors know if you are unable to attend.
• Take responsibility for your learning, spending a realistic and substantial amount of time studying independently and contribute fully to the activities specified for your programme.
• Check communications (for example your University email or the MyYSJ app) regularly, providing a response when asked.
• Behave professionally and with integrity when on a placement, keep in contact with your placement tutor, and report any difficulties at the earliest opportunity.
• If you want to change a module or your course, you must follow the University's guidance and speak to the relevant members of staff for advice.
• Using e:Vison keep your Student Record up to date with your current address, Trusted Contact, your personal information and ensure that your programme record is correct.
• Disclose any new serious unspent or pending convictions attained during your studies (relevant convictions are listed in the Admission of Students with Criminal Convictions policy) in writing to the Academic Registrar.
• Meet with your Academic Tutor, use support and wellbeing services as needed and seek guidance if you need help.
• Complete the University's Consent Matters training which is available online.
• Ensure your behaviour meets the standards laid out in the Student Behaviour and Disciplinary Policy.
• Consistently work with academic integrity and follow the University's Code of Practice for Assessment.

You can expect the Students' Union to:

• Provide you with details of your elected representatives and how to contact them.
• Provide a range of extracurricular activities and student representatives to meet the needs of a diverse student body.
• Represent the student voice on University committees.
• Provide you with opportunities to share your views on the Union's services and activities.
• Run free and democratic elections and consult the student body on major issues that will affect their student experience.
• Provide 1 to 1 representation and advice and guidance on a range of student issues.
• Provide clear and accessible information about the Student Union's Code of Practice, including its Complaints Policy and Procedure.

While you are studying (research students)

You can expect the University to:

• Provide you with a supervision team with expertise relevant to your research and offer regular supervision meetings.
• Provide an independent point of contact, a named Postgraduate Research Tutor, separate to your supervisory team.
• Help you identify where your skills require further development and provide opportunities to help you do this.
• Provide the facilities and resources on our campuses to assist you in successfully completing your research.
• Provide you with access to a Code of Practice for Research Degrees that outlines the academic arrangements for your studies and information about administration.
• Provide an excellent research experience through our high quality digital and physical learning spaces and resources.
• Provide support for any learner with a disability, mental health condition, learning difference or neurodivergence to help you overcome any barriers to accessing and participating in research.
• Offer a range of student support and wellbeing services, and guidance on how to access them through our Student Hub.
• Follow the Student Behaviour and Disciplinary Policy, where necessary.
• Embed employability skills into your learning and offer careers advice to plan your future, find volunteering opportunities and part time work.
• Provide clear and accessible information about the University's Concerns and complaints process, including timelines and escalation procedures.

You are expected to:

• Meet regularly with your supervisor and check your student email regularly.
• Upload completed supervisor meeting notes or meeting logs to e:Vision within a specified timeframe.
• Actively engage with the opportunities offered to you to review your skills and develop them further.
• Seek to disseminate your research both informally and formally.
• Accept teaching opportunities only if you are able to commit to the development of your teaching skills.
• Make yourself familiar with course requirements and seek clarification if you are unsure of what is expected.
• Take responsibility for your research, consistently work with academic integrity and follow the University's Code of Practice for Research Degrees.
• Using e:Vison, keep your Student Record up to date with your current address, Trusted Contact, your personal information and ensure that your academic record is correct.
• If you need support, request a meeting with your Postgraduate Research Tutor, let us know if you need help and use student and wellbeing support services as needed.
• Complete the University's Consent Matters training which is available online.
• Ensure your behaviour meets the standards laid out in the Student Behaviour and Disciplinary Policy. 

You can expect the Students' Union to:

• Provide you with details of your elected representatives and how to contact them.
• Provide a range of extracurricular activities and student representatives to meet the needs of a diverse student body.
• Represent the student voice on University committees.
• Provide you with opportunities to share your views on the Union's services and activities.
• Run free and democratic elections and consult the student body on major issues that will affect their student experience.
• Provide 1 to 1 representation and advice and guidance on a range of student issues.
• Provide clear and accessible information about the Student Union's Code of Practice, including its Complaints Policy and Procedure.

When you finish your course

You can expect the University to:

• Tell you if you need to do anything further to complete your programme.
• Offer you the continued support of the Careers Service.
• Provide you with a certificate for the degree that you have achieved: a Diploma Supplement and Transcript (unless you are in debt for tuition fees to the University).
• Offer you the opportunity to attend a graduation ceremony if your degree is eligible.
• Offer you the opportunity to have a continuing relationship with the University through York St John Alumni.
• Engage with you in the quality assurance and enhancement of your educational experience.