Student-Focussed Policies
UCEM is committed to improving equality of opportunity for students to access, succeed in and progress from Higher Education. As a student, you are covered by the most recent Plan at the start of your studies which will then cover you throughout your studies with UCEM. Access and Participation Plans have been approved by the Office for Students (OfS) which regulates the provision of higher education in England.
Access and Participation Plan 2024-25 to 2027-28
Full details can be found in our Access and Participation Plan 2024-25 to 2027-28, a summary of our Access and Participation Plan 2024-25 to 2027-28 is also available.
UCEM recognises that we have a role to play in widening participation and this is one of our eight core focuses within our long-term vision and strategy. As part this commitment to Widening Participation, UCEM’s Widening Participation Strategy 2024-2030 will sit alongside the Access and Participation Plan.
Access and Participation Plan 2020-21 to 2024-25
Full details can be found in our Access and Participation Plan 2020-21 to 2024-25. A summary of our Access and Participation Plan 2020-21 to 2024-25 is also available.
The Access and Participation Plan 2020-21 to 2024-25 contains a fee summary table describing 2020-21 fee levels. In order to provide you with up-to-date information, you can now view the 2021-22 Fee Summary Table, the 2022-23 Fee Summary Table and the 2023-24 Fee Summary Table.
Access and Participation Plan 2019-2020
Access and Participation Plan 2019-2020 and the UCEM’s 2019-20 impact report, (generated by OfS based on UCEM’s 2019-20 access and participation plan monitoring return, reviewed UCEM’s progress in 2019-20.)
UCEM is committed to ensuring, as far as is reasonably practicable, that learning associated with its programmes takes place in a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of learners regardless of where it is delivered and by whom. Read the Apprenticeship Learner Health and Safety Policy for more details.
We are fully committed to protecting the rights of individuals to have their personal data collected and stored securely and used for only legitimate and lawful purposes for which their consent has been sought. UCEM complies with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR).
To understand the types of records we keep and how your data may be used, please refer to the full details within the policies below:
Data Protection Policy
Our Data Protection Policy sets out how we comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the GDPR. Read the full UCEM Data Protection Policy.
Privacy Policy
Our Privacy Policy sets out the type of information we collect and how it is used. Read the full UCEM Privacy Policy.
Graduation Policy
This Graduation Privacy Notice sets out how UCEM will collect, use, disclose and protect your personal data. This notice applies to graduating students at UCEM, including undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeship students, and guests attending graduation ceremonies. It outlines the types of data that we hold and how we use it for planning purposes and during graduation ceremonies. This applies to all students who are intending to graduate or may be eligible for an award and whether they attend a ceremony in person or graduate in absentia.
Outreach and Widening Participation Privacy Notice
The Outreach and Widening Participation Privacy Notice sets out how UCEM will collect, use, disclose and protect your personal data. UCEM undertakes outreach activities with schools, colleges, and communities across the UK, to support progression and widen access into higher education. This notice outlines the types of data that we hold and how we use it during outreach activities.
These policies also apply to delegates of the UCEM Online Academy.
UCEM is committed to protecting the value of its qualifications both now and in the future and, as such, has undertaken detailed analysis of its institutional degree classification profile over the last four years. UCEM’s Degree Outcomes Statement sets out the outcome of this review and is published in line with UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment guidance. Read UCEM’s Degree Outcomes Statement for more details.
We are committed to proactively promoting and leading Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) within our education provision and the industry we serve, and within all internal and external operations. More details can be found in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at UCEM Commitment Statement.
UCEM recognises that intellectual property generated by research and other work undertaken by UCEM is an important asset and encourages staff and students to contribute towards this. The policy outlines the rights, responsibilities and procedures for the institution and its research, staff and students in relation to their intellect and creative output. Read the Intellectual Property Policy for more details.
This policy also applies to delegates of the UCEM Online Academy.
You are strongly advised to ensure that if you visit any site or undertake any work shadowing or similar activity as part of your studies, that you have appropriate personal insurance cover. Arranging such cover is the responsibility of each individual student. We regret that we are not able to undertake this function and cannot be held liable for any accident or injury sustained in connection with the pursuance of our courses.
This also applies to delegates of the UCEM Online Academy.
UCEM has a duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act (2015) ‘to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’. UCEM’s Prevent Procedure can be found on our Code of Practice and provides high-level information on the requirements of the Prevent Duty and UCEM’s approach to complying with this duty.
This policy sets out UCEM’s approach to refunds and compensation for our students, including instances where a student voluntarily opts to leave a UCEM programme, or under circumstances where UCEM’s Student Protection Plan comes into effect. Read our UCEM Refund and Compensation Policy or access the Refund and Compensation Request Form.
UCEM is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults. The Board of Trustees and UCEM staff recognise that a safe environment and the provision of clear processes for communication and taking action ensure the best outcomes for all students. UCEM sets out its expectations and commitments around effective safeguarding practices in its safeguarding procedure which can be found in our Code of Practice.
UCEM’s Student Protection Plan sets out the measures that the institution has in place to protect students should a risk to the continuation of studies arise, and the action UCEM will take to protect student interests and assure continuity of study in the event of a programme closure, or if UCEM is no longer able to operate.
This policy explains how students may transfer between programmes at UCEM, as well as student transfer between higher education providers. Read the Student Transfer Policy for more details.
We aim to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that at all stages you understand how we will work with you. Read the UCEM Terms and Conditions of Contract.
Further student and academic policies and procedures can be found on our Code of Practice. You can also read our regulations and programme specifications.
Unless stated otherwise, these policies do not apply to delegates of the UCEM Online Academy.
UCEM position on hate speech
UCEM believes in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where all members of our community feel respected, valued, and safe. UCEM recognises the importance of legal freedom of expression as part of this and as a key component of university life. However, freedom of speech does not extend to hate speech. UCEM unequivocally condemns, and takes a zero-tolerance approach, to all forms of antisemitism, Islamophobia and other hateful and unlawful speech.
UCEM Deputy Vice Chancellor (University Secretary), Jane Fawkes, commented: “We are firmly committed to ensuring UCEM is an inclusive place to work and study.
“Education is important in helping others understand the discrimination people encounter and promoting treating others as you would wish to be treated, regardless of gender, age, ethnic or national origins, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identification or disability.”
Head to the IHRA website for the full working definition of antisemitism. You can find the definition of Islamophobia on the Muslim Council of Britain webpage.
If anyone has any concerns regarding antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other kind of hate speech they can contact safeguarding@ucem.ac.uk for support.
Research policies
UCEM is committed to ensuring that research data is retained and available for future use in line with wider UK research policy and standards. This policy explains how to securely retain these data for future replicability of research whilst ensuring commitments to confidentiality and data protection.
UCEM expects all staff and students to conduct research to the highest of standards. Where there is an allegation of misconduct this will be thoroughly investigated in-line with these procedures.
Research Misconduct Screening Panel Terms Of Reference
UCEM is committed to conducting research in line with the highest standards of rigour and integrity. To support this all research projects at UCEM must follow the Research Ethics Approval Policy.
In line with the Concordat commitments, UCEM publishes an annual statement of compliance. Enquiries about the statement can be directed to the Research Office research@ucem.ac.uk
Find out more on the Concordat to Support Research Integrity page.
Corporate Policies
The purpose of the External Speaker Policy is to set in place a governing framework for visiting speakers to UCEM, be it online, face-to-face, marketing or CPD events, to ensure that debate, challenge and dissent are not only permitted but expected. Read the UCEM External Speaker Policy.
This policy sets out UCEM’s approach to freedom of speech for the benefit of students and staff of the institution. It is applicable for UCEM events held on UCEM premises or through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), as well as for external events including CPD events. Read the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech.
In accordance with the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017, UCEM is required to carry out gender pay gap reporting. Gender pay gap shows the differences in the average pay between men and women and is calculated as the difference between the average hourly earnings of men and women, as a proportion of average hourly earnings of men’s earnings. Although not a mandatory reporting requirement, we have also undertaken an ethnicity pay gap analysis. Ethnicity pay gap shows the differences in the average pay between white and ethnic minority staff and is calculated as the difference between the average hourly earnings of white and ethnic minority staff, as a proportion of average hourly earnings of white staff earnings. Our report for the year to 5 April 2023 publishes the required six calculations for gender, and we have replicated these same six calculations for ethnicity. Finally, our report contains observations about activities during the reporting year, which we consider are responsible for driving the outcomes of the calculations.
Our Subcontracting Policy sets out our policy, process and support arrangements relating to subcontracting as part of our Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funded apprenticeship programme delivery. Read the Subcontracting Policy.
Our Sustainability Strategy sets out how sustainability is central to the purpose and aims of UCEM, by setting ambitious aspirations to embed its principles across our whole institution. Read the Sustainability Strategy to find out more about what we’re doing.
This environmental policy outlines UCEMs commitment to proactively manage, enhance and improve environmental performance.
We encourage any member of the UCEM community who has serious concerns about any aspects of its work to come forward and voice these concerns. This policy sets out the process by which students and student employers can raise genuine and legitimate concerns internally without fear of victimisation, detrimental treatment or retaliation. Read the Whistleblowing Policy.
UCEM is committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems to counter bribery. It is UCEM’s policy to conduct all aspects of its business in an honest and ethical manner at all times. Read the Anti-Bribery Policy for further information.