Academic quality and standards

The University recognises that there are considerations and requirements for student-athletes which must be balanced against their academic commitments. This policy provides a framework within which students and their academic schools can manage student sporting commitments within the wider context of their academic studies.

The Authorised Elite Student-Athlete Flexibility Policy covers situations where a student is studying for a module and is fully expecting to complete the required assessments within their departmental timescales, but an event beyond their control (for example, international team selection) prevents them from taking the assessment alongside the rest of the student body. The Policy also covers situations where a student is unable to attend scheduled learning and teaching events as a result of sporting commitments.

Read the full Authorised Elite Student-Athlete Flexibility Policy (PDF, 265kb)

The Policy sets out how the University ensures that it complies with the requirements of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.  The application of the Law to Higher Education provision is overseen by the Competition and Markets Authority.

The University seeks to ensure that the content and pedagogy within its programmes are continually reviewed and updated to ensure that they reflect the most current disciplinary practice. It may therefore be desirable to periodically update materials or programme structures to reflect disciplinary developments, to respond to feedback from external examiners or current students, or to accommodate changes in staffing. There may also be circumstances where it is necessary to make changes to meet the requirements of professional accreditation for individual programmes.

The purpose of this policy is to set out clearly for students and staff how the University manages the process of informing applicants and students about the contents of their courses and, where this may change, the processes that are in place to manage this and ensure that students are aware of their rights.

The Policy was approved by the Learning and Teaching Committee in October 2020.

Read the full Policy on Consumer Rights with respect to taught (academic) programmes (PDF, 245kb)

For applicants and offer holders

The Policy sets out how the University provides accurate information to potential students through its marketing and offer process. It also states how we will inform applicants of any changes to their programmes of study and their options where this occurs.  The policy also highlights how students can make a complaint regarding the Admissions process if they feel they have grounds to do so.

For current students

Academic study is consistently evolving and as a University we want to make sure that students have access to the most up to date knowledge, teaching and assessment. As such a level of change is inherent within academic study and is designed to support our students' learning.

This policy sets out the principles for how the University may make changes to its programmes and how students will be consulted or informed of these changes.  The detailed process of how the University considers and approves changes to its academic provision, including how it works with students is available on the Curriculum Planning website.

This Policy is aligned with the principles of the University's Student Protection Plan which sets out the actions the University would take in the event of more significant programme change.

Related documents

The following documents support the implementation of this Policy:

• Code of Practice on Admissions (PDF, 98kb)
• Code of Practice on the Development and Approval of Taught Programmes (PDF, 260kb)
• Terms and Conditions of Offer
• Student Protection Plan
• Curriculum Planning (staff login needed)
• Programme Suspension and Withdrawal (PDF, 204kb)
• Senate Regulation 12 governing student complaints

This policy applies to students with a long-term condition, disability or exceptional circumstances, such as a period of ill health, which are impacting on their ability to continue their studies on a fulltime programme but where there is evidence to suggest that they would be able to engage effectively with a reduced study load for a defined period of time.

Read the full Policy on Flexible Study on a Full-Time Programme (PDF, 139kb)

The University of Leicester recognises that the opportunities afforded by the development of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) will impact the way in which our programmes are developed, delivered and assessed. The University is committed to the ethical and responsible use of AI, and to preparing our staff and students to engage effectively with the rapidly developing role of AI in Higher Education and the wider world.

This policy provides a University-level framework, for staff and students for how and where it is appropriate to utilise AI for learning, teaching and assessment activities.

Read the full Policy on Generative AI in Learning, Teaching and Assessment (PDF, 236kb)

Further guidance for staff is available on SharePoint (Login required).

University policy for the selection, training and monitoring of PGR students who undertake teaching duties Postgraduate Research students make an important contribution to the delivery of the University's educational programmes. This policy sets out the framework for:

• the employment of PGR students for teaching activities
• responsibilities of different stakeholders within the process
• selection and training
• ongoing monitoring and development

Read the full Policy on PGR Students who undertake teaching (PDF, 164kb)

The University values the diversity of its student population and its research-inspired education strategy aims to create a welcoming, inclusive and enriching learning environment where all students can develop a sense of belonging and achieve success.

Under the Equality Act (2010), universities are required to make reasonable adjustments in anticipation of, and in response to, the needs of disabled students to ensure that a disabled student is not treated less favourably than other students for reasons relating to their disability. This applies to all services and facilities universities provide including all aspects of learning and teaching.

Read the full policy on reasonable adjustments for students (PDF, 202kb)

The Policy sets out the broad framework for the management of examinations that are undertaken remotely. Due to the global pandemic the University rapidly developed its approach to digital assessment and its use in future years, sitting alongside more traditional models of on campus assessments such as unseen examinations.

Remote examinations are defined under the policy as:

• Examinations which are not campus based, meaning that they do not take place in a face to face format, either within University buildings, premises hired for assessments or overseas venues engaged by the University for the purpose of examinations.
• Remote examinations’ may include but are not limited to open book or take home examinations, standard time limited examinations and time limited examinations taken within a defined submission window. Assessments which are deemed coursework or are otherwise not intended to be undertaken under examination conditions are not within the scope of this policy.

The Policy should be read in conjunction with Senate Regulation 8 governing examinations which governs examinations undertaken on the University campus or other venues engaged for that purpose.

The policy aims to:

• Establish clear definitions for remote examinations, and the relationship with Senate Regulation 8
• Establish responsibilities for the management of remote examinations, including such issues as the production and timetable for exams, and the production and security of examination papers
• Formalise in policy documentation the requirements around assessment windows for remote examinations
• Formalise the operation of alternative arrangements within the context of assessment windows.
• Articulate the policy regarding the expectations for academic integrity for remote examinations, and how this aligns with the operation of Senate Regulation 11 governing student conduct
• Establish expectations for how schools should communicate with their students regarding the operation of remote examinations 

Read the full Policy on Remote Examinations (PDF, 305kb)

This policy sets out the University’s requirements for student module feedback which enables all students to provide feedback on their learning and teaching experience on individual modules.  It is underpinned by procedures which explain how student module feedback should operate and guidance for students.

Student module feedback plays an important part in the University’s quality assurance and enhancement procedures and forms part of the annual review of its taught provision (Annual Module Review). It provides the opportunity for module teams to reflect on student views on their modules and facilitates continuous improvement. The focus is on understanding students’ experience of the overall module and on identifying how the student experience and student learning could be improved.

Read the full Policy on Student Module Feedback (PDF, 62Kb)

This policy provides advice and guidance to registered students or prospective students who are pregnant or become parents at the commencement of or during their studies.

Although focussed on study related issues these guidelines aim to give information on other sources of advice. The document is also intended to be used as a point of reference by staff who have a role in advising students and whose advice and guidance may be sought on these issues.

The Equality Act 2010 introduced a new protection from discrimination for students during pregnancy and maternity. This policy has been developed using the Equality Challenge Unit guidance Student pregnancy and maternity: implications for higher education institutions.

The University aims to provide an environment where students are supported fairly and with dignity and respect, including during maternity, paternity, the process of adoption and whilst breastfeeding.

The University believes that becoming pregnant or caring for a very young child should not prevent a student from succeeding in their studies. It will therefore apply Regulations as flexibly as possible, seeking to ensure that students are not disadvantaged whilst ensuring that academic standards are maintained. The degree of flexibility which can be applied will vary according to the programme of study.

Staff will demonstrate a supportive approach when discussing issues with students and will advise them of other available services if they are unable to provide appropriate advice themselves. Any information provided by a student will be handled confidentially and will only be shared with others with the student’s consent.

Read the full Policy on Student Pregnancy, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption (PDF, 121Kb)

The student voice is valued and respected at the University of Leicester. All students have regular opportunities to provide feedback on their experience of studying at the University and are encouraged to challenge existing practice as necessary in order to help drive improvement. One of the key mechanisms for obtaining student feedback and insights is the University’s student surveys framework. Collectively these surveys provide a core set of data and benchmarks to inform enhancement activity and support monitoring and evaluation.

The Policy on Student Surveys establishes a coordinated approach to student surveys at the University of Leicester and sets out the key principles which should underpin all surveys in which University of Leicester students (both taught and research) are invited to participate.

Read the full Policy on Student Surveys (PDF, 303Kb)

This policy sets out the University’s requirements for the management and assessment of Accredited Prior Learning (APL). The regulatory requirements relating to APL are stated in Senate Regulation 2: Regulations governing admission and registration for taught programmes.

This policy applies to prospective students who wish to apply for the recognition of credits gained previously at the University or another institution towards a University award. It does not apply to the assessment of an applicant’s eligibility for entry to a programme based on non-standard entry qualifications/experience.

Read the full Policy and Procedure on the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) (PDF, 220kb)

• Appendix 1 - Credits which may be accepted as APL towards a University award (PDF, 63kb)
• Appendix 2 - Roles and Responsibilities with respect applications for APL (PDF, 73kb)
• Appendix 3 - Accreditation of Prior Learning Application Form (Word .docx, 37.7kb)

The University has an approved policy that provides a clear structure and timescale for the provision of feedback to students on their assessed work.

Read the full Policy on the Return of Assessed Work (PDF, 533kb)

Learn more about the University of Leicester's approach to student feedback, including the five schemes for providing exam feedback, the feedback charter and methods students can use to give feedback on their programme.