Student Charter 2024/25

The University commits to:

• Ensure high standards of programme delivery using innovative approaches to teaching and learning which support the achievement of students’ personal ambition and recognised graduate outcomes.
• Provide a breadth of appropriate and accessible learning resources and learning spaces.
• Provide clear programme and module information including a schedule of assessments.
• Ensure access to a range of on-campus and online support services and staff to assist students with their learning needs.
• Provide feedback on assessments and learning activities within 20 working days.
• Make reasonable adjustments to learning and assessment processes for individual students where appropriate, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
• Work closely with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and provide clear information on opportunities for students to study and be assessed through the medium of Welsh.
• Ensure academic regulations and procedures set out in the Academic Handbook are transparent and applied fairly to all students.
• Provide continuity of learning and ensure students are still able to engage with assessments in the event of externally caused disruption to studies.
• Continually review its provision in order to enhance quality and standards.

The Students’ Union commits to:

• Promote methods to engage students.
• Work with the University to develop open, constructive, and continuous dialogue between students and staff, and amongst students.
• Hold democratic elections to appoint student leaders that champion student rights and ensure a strong and effective partnership with the University.

Students commit to:

• Be actively engaged with their chosen programme.
• Submit assessed work by the required deadline.
• Consider and reflect upon their own research and feedback received from academic staff.
• Make full use of the learning, support and resources provided.
• Take ownership of independent study outside of timetabled learning activity.
• Adhere to the University’s academic regulations and procedures, including those relating to the submission of assessments and avoidance of academic misconduct.

The University commits to:

• Provide opportunities for the student voice to be raised, listened to, and responded to.
• Support effective student participation in quality enhancement processes such as programme development, review, and evaluation.
• Ensure students know where to go if the University does not meet required standards.
• Manage clear Complaints and Academic Appeals procedures, which adhere to the requirements of the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).

The Students’ Union commits to:

• Work alongside the University to define and promote a range of methods to engage, evaluate and enhance opportunities for the student voice to be raised, heard and responded to.
• Facilitate a representative system, embedded at all levels of the University to ensure student issues and ideas, including those from Welsh medium students, are raised promptly and feedback loops are closed.
• Provide support and representation to individuals and groups of students who are subject to University procedures when requested.

Students commit to:

• Participate in processes which are designed to obtain student and graduate feedback.

The University commits to:

• Meet its statutory responsibilities regarding equality and safeguarding to provide a safe and secure learning environment, including suicide safer approaches.
• Ensure there are clear and responsive routes for students to seek support for their wellbeing and mental health which incorporate learning from the StepChange: Mentally Healthy Universities self-assessment process.
• Ensure University policies reflect ongoing work to tackle violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence.
• Deliver a range of dedicated services that enhance the student experience, ensuring they are accessible for those students who need additional support.
• Provide information on where students can access financial support.
• Provide access to Welsh Language support services including counselling, personal academic tutors and applications for financial support.
• Provide specialist support services for international students to aid a smooth transition to UK Higher Education, along with practical advice and support to adapt to British culture, processes and procedures.

The Students’ Union commits to:

• Hold relevant and useful campaigns and events throughout the student lifecycle.
• Produce an annual Diversity & Inclusion commitment statement which will outline areas of focus to promote inclusion for the upcoming academic year.
• Provide pastoral support to students, including signposting to professional services.

Students commit to:

• Actively engage with their allocated Personal Academic Tutor and attend arranged sessions.
• Behave in accordance with all University policies and procedures and follow the principles set out in the Student Code of Conduct.
• Be responsible in disclosing and reporting allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse.
• Acknowledge when circumstances impact upon their health and wellbeing and be responsible for proactively seeking timely support from the appropriate support service.

The University commits to:

• Support students’ learning experience through the provision of high quality and accessible digital resources and information.
• Ensure students are kept up to date with news and information via digital platforms.
• Communicate with students in the language of their choice (English, Welsh, or bilingual).
• Acknowledge correspondence from students in a timely manner.
• Adhere to obligations outlined by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), and to protect the student interest.
• Provide details of the costs of study.
• Keep students’ personal information confidential in accordance with the University’s Data Protection Policy and external legislation.
• Implement the requirements of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 and ensure compliance with the Welsh Language Standards.

The Students’ Union commits to:

• Provide a range of media to ensure effective, timely and relevant communications from the Students’ Union.
• Keep student information confidential in accordance with data protection laws.
• Ensure the student voice is listened to and responded to in a timely manner.

Students commit to:

• Communicate respectfully with University staff and students at all times, including via social media.
• Check all emails and communications from the University regularly and respond or act as necessary.
• Regularly check Moodle and MetCentral for updates and announcements and complete any tasks in a timely manner.
• Keep contact details up to date.
• Familiarise themselves with information made available on course fees and associated costs of study.
• Pay tuition fees and other costs within the applicable timeframe.
• Inform the University if their preferred language for communication on a matter is English or Welsh.

The University commits to:

• Provide an innovative educational environment that supports students to achieve their personal and professional ambition and recognised graduate outcomes by identifying and linking their learning from both curricular and co-curricular activities.
• Provide access to careers advice, skills development (via the Shape Your Future initiative) and opportunities to enhance employability through referrals and signposting to the Careers Service.
• Provide opportunities and support to study, work, or volunteer overseas to enhance soft skills, cross cultural communication, and employability prospects.
• Give students studying on Cardiff campuses the opportunity to have verified extra-curricular activity recognised through the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).

The Students’ Union commits to:

• Provide a range of SU Sport clubs, SU Societies, social events, and personal development opportunities.
• Provide accurate records of students engaging in SU activity to be recorded on the HEAR for students studying in Cardiff.
• Deliver the Cardiff Met Award to recognise personal and professional development outside of academic studies.

Students commit to:

• Engage with the social and extra-curricular opportunities.
• Engage in HEAR approved activities to broaden their skillset, furthering their personal and professional development.
• Familiarise themselves with any relevant professional codes and follow any set standards.