Key information

The following policies, procedures and guidance have been collated to provide applicants and students with easy access to the arrangements by which students’ studies and everyday student life, whilst at Harper Adams University, are governed.

These are updated regularly and apply to all students studying at Harper Adams University in all years of study. The detailed arrangements, which are accessible through the web links, are subject to periodic review, through approved decision making processes. These often involve committees which include student representation, although a small number are designated to staff members, by the Board of Governors.

The University reserves the right to make changes to these documents at any time if necessary, for example, it is required in order to: comply with changes to the law, governmental policy, guidance or to take account of a ruling by a court or similar body; comply with any changes required by the Office for Students or any successor or other relevant regulatory or funding body; implement new methods or improvements to the provision of services; to assist in the delivery of services; to incorporate good practice or sector guidance; to ensure fitness for purpose; to correct errors.

Such changes will normally be brought into effect for the following academic year, although it may be necessary to introduce changes earlier, for example, to comply with a change in the law or where the change is in the interests of students. The University will upload the updated version of the document to this webpage as soon as reasonably practicable.

Resources

• Academic Appeals Policy - For requests to explain or review the assessment decisions of an assessment board, academic misconduct panel or placement panel. Access the editable version of the Stage 2 Formal Academic Appeal Form.
• Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct: A Guide for Students and Tutors - Guidance for instances of cheating, collusion or plagiarism in assessed work.
• Academic Quality Assurance Manual - Manual intended to serve as a definitive source on arrangements for assuring the standards and enhancing the quality of the University's entire academic provision. Section 3, in particular, outlines how students are consulted on making changes to courses.
• Acceptable Use Policy - Agreement within which users are permitted access to the University's Information Services
• Access and Participation Plan - The Access and Participation Plan, as approved by the Office for Students, sets out our intended arrangements to support social mobility and to support access, on-course success and progression to employment for under-represented or disadvantaged groups. Read the plan approved for 2020-25, accessibe plan summary and the 2021-22 fee summary table.
• Accommodation Licence Agreement - Outlines the Conditions of Residence, dates of residency, deposit information, tenant responsibilities and arrangements should a student withdraw from study. This agreement also sets out the expectations we have of students living in University accommodation, generic damage charges and fines, deposits, ID card and key replacement charges.
• Admissions Policy - Outlines the University's goal to provide equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of background, to gain admission to a course suited to their ability and aspirations. The policy also highlights the procedure for complaints about the handling of an admissions decision.
• Animals/Dogs on Campus Policy - This policy covers household animals and dogs used for teaching purposes on campus, including assistance animals in accommodation and offices. The policy differentiates between working animals and pets, and gives details of assistance dogs.
• Assessment Arrangements - This document aims to provide a reference point for staff and students on the assessment arrangements operated at Harper Adams University. It reflects both approved policy and, for students whose studies are based at Harper Adams, also details the operational aspects, including how marks are awarded, the action a student should take if they are unsure why they have achieved a particular mark or if they wish to request a review of a provisional mark that has not been confirmed by an assessment board (which typically takes place at the end of the year for most students). This document has been developed in line with the National Union of Students’ principles for effective assessment and good feedback. It also reflects the guidance issued by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
• Assessment Regulations - Details the level of achievement that a student must satisfy in their assessments in order to qualify for progression to the next stage of their studies, including from placement, or for an award. These regulations are updated annually and published for the current academic session. For a copy of the previous year's Assessment Regulations please contact Steve Barnett.
• Assessment Regulations FAQs - Working with the Harper Adams Students’ Union, we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions which provide further explanation and clarification of the University’s current Assessment Regulations. This guide has been written to be as clear as possible and it also includes a range of examples to show the operation/impact of the regulations on students (undergraduate and postgraduate).
• Break in Studies Policy - For some students, unexpected circumstances may demand an unplanned break in your studies. This policy outlines the circumstances in which a request for a break in study is likely to be approved, how the University will handle any requests and the steps to ensure a smooth return to study.
• Collection of Student Debt Policy - Sets out the sanctions in place for students who do not make payments as agreed with the University
• Community Charter - A vibrant academic community at Harper Adams requires a partnership between all those who contribute to University life. The charter outlines the general principles of this partnership and details how these will be enacted. Although not a legally binding contract, it acts as a statement of intention and expectation for students and staff members of the University. In addition to the statements in the Community Charter, Harper Adams University students and staff agree to operate in accord with the statements set out in the COVID-19 Responsibility Agreement which is an addendum to the Charter.
• Complaints Policy - This policy outlines the process that students should follow should they wish to raise a complaint and how the University will handle any such concerns.
• Data Protection Policy - This includes details on the purposes for which personal data is held, the categories of data held, the safeguards in place, to whom data may be disclosed and students' and the University’s responsibilities with regard to data. The GDPR Layered Notice is also provided for your information.
• Degree Outcomes Statement - This document provides an analysis of the University’s degree classification profile over the last five years. The content of this statement is based upon the guidance issued by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment.
• Disability (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy for Students with Disabilities and Guidance for Staff, Students and Applicants - The arrangements by which disabled students are supported and reasonable adjustments are considered in circumstances where the University’s inclusive learning, teaching and assessment arrangements are insufficient to take into account an individual’s disability. Applicants with a disability are encouraged to make early contact with the University’s Disability and Learner Support Manager, so that individual needs can be assessed and agreed in advance of enrolment.
• Drugs and Alcohol Policy - This policy sets out the arrangements by which students who abuse drugs and / or alcohol are educated, supported and disciplined, as appropriate for their own safety and the safety of others.
• Equality and Diversity Policy - This policy informs students of our approach (in general terms only) to Equality and Diversity, including our Single Equality Scheme arrangements. More information on the Policy or the Single Equality Scheme, can be obtained by emailing humanresources@harper-adams.ac.uk
• Examination Rules - Specifies the arrangements by which examinations are organised and the expectations of student conduct, and includes the penalties applied when those expectations are contravened.
• Fees and Charges 2022/23 - A guide to the charges all students may face relating to their time at the University, including university fees, accommodation and other course and activity related costs, provided with any offer of a University place.
• Fees and Charges 2023/24 - A guide to the charges all students may face relating to their time at the University, including university fees, accommodation and other course and activity related costs, provided with any offer of a University place.
• Fitness to Practise Policy and Procedures for Veterinary Nurses - Guidance for students in relation to responsibilities and conduct, which must be demonstrated in their professional and private lives when they apply to enter the veterinary nursing profession.
• Freedom of Speech, Academic Freedom and External Speaker Policy - Outlines the formal policies and procedures in place to secure freedom of speech and maintain academic freedom.
• Harassment, Racism, Bullying Incident Handling Procedure - This policy relates to our Respect Policy which sets out our commitment to having an inclusive, safe and supportive community.
• How Student Fees are spent (2018/19) - All universities are encouraged to explain as transparently as possible to students their sources of income and how they spend their money. This document highlights the key areas where Harper Adams University generates income and incurs expenditure.
• How Student Fees are spent (2019/20) - All universities are encouraged to explain as transparently as possible to students their sources of income and how they spend their money. This document highlights the key areas where Harper Adams University generates income and incurs expenditure.
• How Student Fees are spent (2020/21) - All universities are encouraged to explain as transparently as possible to students their sources of income and how they spend their money. This document highlights the key areas where Harper Adams University generates income and incurs expenditure.
• Inclusion (Guide to Inclusive Learning, Teaching and Assessment) - A guidance document which helps tutors to think about how teaching and supporting learning can best address the needs of a diverse student population. It provides guidance to encourage reflection and discussion. Some points are advisory, others are mandatory expectations.
• Information Security Policy - Sets out appropriate measures through which the University will facilitate the secure and reliable flow of information, both within the University and in external communications.
• Intellectual Property Policy - Outlines the way in which intellectual property (the production of original intellectual or creative activity) is dealt with at Harper Adams University.
• Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Strategy - The strategy document provides a reference point and information on all activities that enable and support a student's learning and teaching experience, including areas of ongoing development.
• Lecture capture arrangements - this document sets out how institutional lecture capture will be used by staff and students.
• Mitigating Circumstances (Arrangements for Claiming Mitigating Circumstances) - Specifies the arrangements for requesting extensions to coursework deadlines, deferral of examination due to illness or other incapacity or requests for consideration of impact on student performance due to circumstances outside the control of the student. Access editable versions of the extension request form and the deferral/condonement request form.
• Parking (Motor Vehicles, Car Parking Policy and Regulations) - Provides key information with regard to the expectations of students, staff and visitors with regards to driving and parking on site.
• Placement Arrangements - In support of the University's excellent record for employment and graduate employability levels, all undergraduate degree courses at Harper Adams University are sandwich degrees and include a mandatory placement period. Harper Adams University has excellent links with industry, which are reinforced through these unique placement arrangements. More information on the detailed, current arrangements for a specific course, is available from the Placement Office which can provide a copy of the latest course-specific Placement Handbook on request.
• Prevent Policy Statement - This document sets out how the University implements its Prevent Duty. It should be read alongside the Safeguarding Policy.
• Recording (Policy for Student Recording of Classes) - Sets out when classes can be recorded, and when they cannot. States the ways in which it is appropriate to use in-class recordings and particularly the expectations around storing and distributing recordings. This policy is relevant to staff and students.
• Refund and Compensation Policy - Details the arrangements to refund University fees and other relevant costs to students and to provide compensation, where necessary, in the event that the University is no longer able to preserve continuation of study.
• Respect Policy - This policy complements our Equality and Diversity Policy, which ensures our legal compliance with the Equality Act 2010, by promoting a respectful community environment of respectfulness, positive relationships and experiences, and which is free of harassment, violence, exploitation and intimidation.
• Safeguarding Policy - Sets out the arrangements by which children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded from harm and all members of the University community are protected from radicalisation.
• Student Conduct and Discipline Policy - The purpose of this policy is to address behaviour or actions by students that cause actual or potential distress or harm to property and to others, irrespective of whether or not distress or harm was intended, or disrupt the normal operations and/or safe use of our University.
• Student Discipline Appeal Form
• Student Engagement Policy - This sets out how we support our students to engage with their studies successfully how we support international students to remain compliant with the additional visa requirements set by the Home Office.
• Student Health and Wellbeing Policy - This policy outlines our approach to mental health and wellbeing support for students and the arrangements by which both mental and physical health concerns or difficulties are considered in relation to a student’s study, with the aim to help all students realise their full academic potential and successfully complete their studies.
• Student Life (Rough Guide to Student Life 2022/23) - Sign in required to view: use this guide to help you to get organised, and to find lots of useful information all in one place.
• Student Protection Plan - Outlines the measures in place to preserve continuation of study for students and covers what happens in the event of minor and major changes to a course, a course closure, arrangements for courses run with other providers, arrangements for visa-sponsored students in the event the University loses it licence to sponsor students, insurances and estates risks, significant events affecting the University and University closure.
• Student Safety Handbook - The Student Safety Handbook provides an overview of safety information for students. All students receive a safety induction on arrival. This includes an explanation of emergency procedures and an introduction to the relevant safety regulations, arrangements and precautions that students are required to follow.
• Student Visa Sponsorship Policy - The arrangements by which overseas applicants and students requiring visa sponsorship are managed.
• Suicide Safer Strategy - Harper Adams’ strategy in delivering our commitment to the Suicide Safer campaign
• Term dates - Undergraduate term dates and reassessment periods during which all students are expected to be available for study and assessment. New students must attend during the Welcome Week/Week 0. Dates for tuition and assessment points for Postgraduate students are available on request from postgraduate@harper-adams.ac.uk.
• Terms and Conditions 2018/19 - Key Information relating to the students' contracts with the University for students enrolled in 2018/19
• Terms and Conditions 2019/20 - Key Information relating to the students' contracts with the University for students enrolled in 2019/20
• Terms and Conditions 2020/21 - Key Information relating to the students' contracts with the University for students enrolled in 2020/21
• Terms and Conditions 2021/22 - Key Information relating to the students' contracts with the University for students enrolled in 2021/22
• Terms and Conditions 2022/23 - Key Information relating to the students' contracts with the University for students enrolled in 2022/23
• Terms and Conditions 2023/24 - Key Information relating to the students' contracts with the University for students enrolled in 2023/24
• Transfer policy - A guide to the process that a student should follow if they are interested in changing their course or institution (or both), including the key contacts, the normal timescales involved and advice on the information that will typically be required to support a transfer request.
• Under 18 Students Agreement - The arrangements by which under 18 year age students and their parents are required to signify their agreement to: a limited number of consent agreements including with regard to restrictions on access to alcohol; late night curfews; and advice on planned duration and location when students leave the campus. The agreement stays in force until a student reaches their eighteenth birthday. This agreement is available on request from Student Services.
• Whistleblowing (Speaking Up: The Whistleblowing Procedure) - The University is committed to ensuring that it, and the people working for it, comply with the highest standards of openness, honesty and accountability. This policy lays out the procedure to be followed in investigating and, where appropriate, acting upon a disclosure of information or allegation of serious wrongdoing made by a person, or persons, within the University which is in the public interest.
• Withdrawal from Studies (Guidance for students thinking about leaving Harper Adams University) - A comprehensive guide to the steps that a student needs to consider when wishing to withdraw from the University, including the implications of doing so, ensuring that all paperwork is in order and who to speak to.