Student Charter

Four students having a discussion in The Lighthouse. They are sitting on colourful beanbags.

Swansea University's Student Charter

Here at Swansea, you are part of a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive University. A positive student experience relies on a successful partnership between the University, the Students’ Union and most integrally you, our students. You are incredibly important to us – so we want to do everything we can to enhance your time at Swansea. 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 at Swansea. It was produced in partnership between our students, the Students’ Union 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 bright learning environment. This Charter embodies the principles that will help make your time at Swansea even more worthwhile.

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
explain where and how the Students' Union supports both the University and students to enhance the student experience
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

Learning, Teaching and Employability

The University will:

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.
Support students through personal tutors or supervisors alongside academic and pastoral support.
Provide clear and structured course information, including timetabling, assessment schedule, marking, and feedback, at the start of any course of study.
Ensure compliance with the course information provided to students, ensuring we meet obligations outlined by the Competition and Markets Authority.
Protect students’ interest 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.
Ensure, where possible, that students are given the opportunity to engage with industry, take on placement opportunities and work experience, including overseas, and undertake volunteering opportunities, so that they are fully equipped for the world of work.
Prepare and adhere to the Minimum Standards for Education Practice.
Train frontline and student-facing staff in essential equity, equality, diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding topics including the relevant legislation and public sector equality duty.

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 University 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.

The Students’ Union will:

Represent students’ educational interests and work with the University to actively resolve issues our members identify, including access to advice & support on academic issues at the  Students’ Union Advice and Support Centre. 
Create employment opportunities for students throughout the Union’s activities.

Safeguarding and Inclusivity

The University will:

Ensure that all staff and students 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 and reporting mechanisms to victims of bullying and harassment.
Provide support and signposting for victims of and witnesses to hate crime.
Provide support and disclosure mechanisms to survivors of sexual assault.
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.
Provide regular training opportunities to staff on topics such as equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Students are expected to:

Act as representatives of the University, treating staff, students and members of the local community with respect and courtesy, (including on social media platforms). Further information can be found in the University’s Dignity at Work and Study Policy.
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.
Report any discrimination or harassment or other racist, sexist, ableist or homophobic behaviour or language witnessed on campus, or with other Swansea University students.

The Students’ Union will:

Offer confidential, free, impartial advice at the Students’ Union Advice and Support Centre. 
Offer a hate crime reporting service through the Students’ Union Advice and Support Centre. 
Represent and platform the diverse voices within the student body through the Part-Time Officer team.

Wellbeing and Staying Healthy

Please note that this section is subject to change at short notice as and when public health issues arise. Any changes will be communicated by email.

The University will:

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.
Provide information on the cost of study and guidance on how to manage finances.
Ensure that our teaching spaces and facilities are managed in line with health and safety guidelines issued by the Welsh Government or otherwise.
Ensure that you are promptly and efficiently informed of any changes that affect the operation of our spaces or services.
Provide information on health services, including how to register with a GP, what to do if you’re unwell, and information about infectious diseases.
Provide physical health and fitness facilities.
Responsibly work towards carbon reduction and sustainability and support environmental initiatives.

Students are expected to:

Abide by all University regulations.
Follow any Welsh Government or University guidance when health and safety issues arise.
Notify your faculty if you are going to be absent as a result of sickness.
Make use of the Extenuating Circumstances process for illness where necessary.
Respect the university campus and support environmental and uphold environmental policies and initiatives for sustainability, carbon reduction and nature conservation.

The Students’ Union will:

Offer confidential, free, impartial advice at the Students’ Union Advice and Support Centre. 
Ensure that activities and services can continue to run, even if new health and safety guidance is introduced.
Provide opportunities to get involved with and participate in sports clubs and societies and SU events.

Communicating with Each Other

The University will:

Communicate key information with the student body in a timely and effective manner.
Use a variety of contact methods to communicate information, such as email, social media, or telephone calls.

Students are expected to:

Update their contact information whenever changes are made.
Check all emails and communications from the University regularly and respond or act as necessary. 
Proactively communicate with relevant staff of the University as necessary.
Consider the social media guidelines when they communicate online.

The Students’ Union will:

Be open, transparent and available to be contacted via email, telephone or in person.

Student Voice and Student Experience

The University will:

Seek feedback through student experience surveys, module feedback and other initiatives facilitated by the Student Partnership and Engagement Services Team.
Work closely with and listen to the Students' Union and other representatives on matters which affect the student experience.

Students are expected to:

Provide constructive feedback to the University as and when they feel able, through mechanisms like Student Experience Surveys, module feedback, Unitu, and events delivered by the Student Partnership and Engagement Services Team.

The Students’ Union will:

Support student engagement and partnership through Student Representation.
Provide a democratic system to elect subject reps and Full Time & Part Time Student Officers and Student Representatives.
Create opportunities for any student to have a voice and a say in bringing about change.
Represent students’ educational interests and work with the University to actively resolve issues our members identify. 
Represent students at the highest levels of the University governance structure, locally and nationally through elected officers and representatives. 
Ensure elected full time and part time Officers act on behalf of all students and can be held to account. 
Organise events to support and engage with students throughout the year, such as welcome events, #StudyAid and Summer Ball. 
Support the formation of student societies and sports clubs, creating access to personal development opportunities.

Welsh Language Support

The University will:

Adhere to all requirements laid out by the Welsh Language Standards, including the opportunity for assessment in either Welsh or English regardless of language of study, and promote this to students. 
Promote Welsh medium learning and teaching across all Faculties at Swansea.
Continue to work in partnership with Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to organise and create study and training opportunities in Welsh, and to encourage students to use their Welsh language skills.

Students are expected to:

Abide by all University regulations.

The Students’ Union will:

Provide representation for Welsh-speaking students through the full-time Welsh Affairs Sabbatical Officer role.
Update and adhere to their Welsh Language Policy.

Doing the Right Thing

The University will:

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.

Students will:

Follow the student code of conduct including the SU code of conduct for individuals and student groups such as societies and clubs.
Follow appropriate procedures when there is a grievance or complaint they wish to raise.

The Students’ Union will:

Offer confidential, free, impartial advice at the Students’ Union Advice and Support Centre. 
Review Union policies and procedures regularly.
Provide their own complaints procedure to resolve any issues pertaining to SU activity.

The Student Charter is reviewed and updated annually with staff and students at the Student Advisory Forum. The Student Charter is disseminated annually to students and staff via email, online and at inductions/academic tutor meetings, 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 or the Students’ Union.

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