Agreement for the provision of Education Services by the University of Bedfordshire

The Parties

The University of Bedfordshire Higher Education Corporation, an exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011 of England and Wales of Park Square Campus, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3JU ("the University")

and

a Student registered with the University of Bedfordshire

WHEREAS:

1. The Student wishes, to engage the University to provide educational services to the Student.
2. The University is willing to provide such Services to the Recipient on, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Commencement

1. Regulations

1.1 The Student agrees to observe the following University Regulations and Policies where applicable:

• Academic Regulations
• Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Policy
• Tuition Fee Policy
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Admissions Policy
• Data Protection Policy and Guidance [PDF]
• Student Complaints Policy and Procedure [PDF]
• Fitness to Practice Policy and Procedure [PDF]
• Academic Appeals Policy and Procedure
• Graduation Terms and Conditions [PDF]

2. Attendance

2.1 The Regulations include the requirement that the Student should attend all teaching sessions comprising of the course and that the University may take action in cases of failure to attend, which in certain circumstances could include termination of the Student’s registration.

2.2 The Student is expected to regularly attend classes and attend all formal learning opportunities of the course or programme of study. The University expects Students to conduct themselves in a manner that does not interfere with the proper functioning of the University, the activities of those who work or study at the University, and which will not damage the reputation of the University or its student body. Breaching the Students’ Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Policy could lead to expulsion from the University and the termination of this Agreement. The University has a Student Complaints Policy and procedure [PDF] The Student accepts that the University will monitor attendance on the course for engagement purposes.

3. Conduct

3.1 The Student will:

Treat all members of this and the wider community with respect and consideration.

1. Use the University’s facilities and resources with consideration for others.
2. Act responsibly, and accept responsibility for his/her actions, to ensure that the University is a welcoming and secure environment.
3. Keep his/her fellow students and staff safe, and free from discrimination and harassment.
4. Stay informed concerning the requirements of his/her course and be punctual at all times.
5. Engage with the learning, development and social opportunities the University and BedsSU provide.
6. Improve the student and staff experience by communicating clearly and politely with others, listening to them when they are speaking and acting with them in partnership.
7. Act as an ambassador for the University when engaging with the wider community, representing the University with pride and distinction.
8. Ask the University to help if he/she needs support and guidance (including about the content of this Agreement if there is any aspect that he/she does not understand, by emailing legaloffice@beds.ac.uk)
9. Be reliable.
10. Act with integrity – be honest and transparent in dealings with others.
11. Organise time to meet the requirements of the course.
12. Be adaptable to new learning experiences and expectations.
13. Think creatively, employing analytical and critical thinking.
14. Work co-operatively with classmates and tutors as part of a team, sharing his/her knowledge and skills when appropriate and supporting others when they require support.
15. Be pro-active, making independent decisions and solving problems as they arise.

4. Data Protection

4.1 The University and the Student shall duly observe their obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 which arise under this Agreement.

4.2 The University and any of its subsidiaries will process data relating to the Student for legal, administrative, and educational purposes, sharing that data with external bodies, including but not limited to:

1. Higher Education Statistical Agency (whose collection notice is available at HESA collection notices)
2. His/her sponsor (if any)
3. His/her employer (if any)
4. UK Visas and Immigration
5. Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT)
6. Office for Students
7. Local council/electoral registration office for purposes of compiling Council Tax and Electoral Registration records
8. Student Loan Company
9. Persons/organisations requesting a reference with his/her consent
10. External debt collection agencies
11. Security providers, police or other authority in relation to crime prevention or investigation, or in association with the Government’s Prevent agenda
12. Accommodation providers where he/she has applied through the University's approved accommodation system
13. National College for Teaching and Leadership for the administration of bursaries for teacher training (for students on professional programmes, Early Years Teacher Status and English as a Foreign Language)
14. Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Health and Care Professions Council and the General Medical Council (for students on nursing, midwifery, social work or youth courses)
15. NHS Bursaries Unit (for students of NHS-funded courses)
16. Health Education England and Health Education Thames Valley
17. Public sector regulatory bodies such as The British Council and the Office for Standards in Education
18. Bodies which are responsible for professional accreditation
19. Frontline (a Government funded body which commissions social work training)
20. Any partner of the University which is delivering the programme or whose premises are used for the delivery of a programme for which he/she has registered with the University
21. The University of Bedfordshire Student Union, BedsSU
22. Ede & Ravenscroft, the University’s approved supplier of gowns and other services to Graduation ceremonies
23. Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)

4.3 Personal data relating to the Student may be used in a number of ways (some of which are set out below) including but not limited to:

1. Administering the University’s courses and examinations, the financial and quality assurance processes that support them. This also includes the systems and services for learning, teaching, research, management, learning resources, payment services and identity cards.
2. Supporting security systems in University buildings and systems designed to ensure student compliance with University regulations. These systems include CCTV, access control and monitoring of car parking, both on and off campus.
3. Recording and providing information on student attendance, academic progress and awards to the Student Loan Company and to UK Visas and Immigration, employers and sponsors and professional associations that have a legitimate and/or contractual right to the information. This may include information about students contained in references provided by third parties, information on admissions and student performance given to institutions at which students have previously studied in the UK and overseas.
4. Providing the basis for information published for or circulated at the University’s degree award ceremonies, including those held overseas.
5. Transferring personal information about the authors of written assignments to the Plagiarism Detection Service and where appropriate the onward transmission by the PDS of extracts from this information to members of academic staff at other institutions using the PDS some of which are located in countries outside the European Economic Area which may not be governed by UK or equivalent data protection laws.
6. For recruitment and internal marketing purposes, possibly involving collaboration with overseas agents.
7. For marketing purposes conducted by the University’s Alumni Relations Office
8. Providing the basis for statistical returns based on both individualised information and corporate level statistics required by the Government, the Higher Education Funding Council and other statutory agencies
9. Analysis for internal management purposes and/or approved research projects. However, where the results of such work are published, the results will not include details of particular individuals and it will not be possible to identify a particular individual from the results.
10. Checking whether new entrants and/or applicants have engaged with outreach activity.
11. Encouraging students to become ambassadors or engage with other in-reach activities.
12. Recording and retention of student data in the HEAT database in order to help evaluate the effectiveness of in-reach activity as part of the Government’s policy to increase social mobility and to support the development of future policy.
13. Enabling students to access membership of BedsSU and the associated rights and benefits by virtue of their enrolment at the University. These rights and benefits include participation in BedsSU elections and democratic procedures in accordance with the Education Act 1994 and the provision of information about and access to the activities, services and opportunities provided to members by BedsSU, NUS and associated partners.
14. Enabling the University to transfer personal data to partners delivering a programme or whose premises are used for the delivery of a programme so that the partner can administer the programme.
15. Investigating Student Code of Conduct matters
16. Providing student accommodation
17. Trusted Contacts policy and procedures [PDF]

4.4 The University uses Closes Circuit Television (CCTV) for security purposes, images are held on our systems for 28 days unless an incident has been recorded in which case it will be kept on file for the period of the investigation.

5. Fitness to Practice

5.1 The University and professional, statutory or regulatory bodies (PSRBs) such as the Department for Education (DFE), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) , the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Social Work England require students on certain programmes to provide information regarding their physical health. Students may also be required to undergo an occupation health check and provide evidence of immunisation against certain diseases. Further details in the Fitness to Practise Policy and Procedure [PDF]

5.2 Students and apprentices on nursing, midwifery, healthcare (HCPC) and social work courses are required to have DBS clearance before they start on the course. Students must also make an annual Declaration of Good Health and Good Character

6. Tuition fees

6.1 The Student agrees to abide by the University of Bedfordshire's terms and conditions and to pay the fees for the course for which the Student is registering, in accordance with the Tuition Fee Policy

6.2 The tuition fee for the first year will be as stated in the offer letter or email. The fee quoted is revised each academic year in accordance with the University’s Tuition Fee Policy. The fees and extra costs may increase in future academic years but will go up by no more than inflation. Unless otherwise stated the fee and any specified extra costs do not include any charges for residential accommodation, examination re-sits or retakes, extension to the designated period of study, or travelling expenses and other miscellaneous expenses which may be related to the course of study all of which the Student must pay for.

6.3 The Student agrees that if the University refunds any monies, then such refunds are returned to the account from which the fees were remitted including where fees have been overpaid.

7. Changes to the course

7.1 It may be necessary for the University to make changes, for example to programme content, course delivery and fees, due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons including (but not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in Government policy, withdrawal or reduction in funding, the requirements of the Quality Code of the Quality Assurance Agency or a change of law. The University will endeavour at all times to keep such changes to a minimum and to keep students informed appropriately.

7.2 If a course is not provided in whole or in part, the University will take such steps as are available to it to minimise the effect of any alteration or withdrawal. Such steps may include alterations to delivery of teaching or assessment, the offer of a place on an alternative course or the offer to transfer to another course at the university or elsewhere. The Student will be entitled to decline to accept the changes to the programme and withdraw but not to receive a refund for those parts of the programme that have been completed whether or not the Student has passed any assessment.

8. Cancellation

8.1 The Student may cancel the Agreement without penalty within 14 days. If the Student wishes to withdraw after that date, the Student should contact the University’s Admissions team on 01582 743500 or by email at admission@beds.ac.uk

8.2 In accordance with the University’s Regulations the University reserves the right to withdraw an offer of a place or terminate enrolment if it discovers subsequently that a candidate has given false information in their application or has omitted to declare information requested or has attempted to tamper with the original offer letter or email.

9. Termination and Consequences of termination

9.1 Without limiting its other rights or remedies, the University shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement immediately if the Student commits a material or persistent breach of this Agreement

9.2 On termination of this Agreement or part of it for any reason:

1. The Student shall immediately deliver to the University all University equipment, learning resources and other materials;
2. The Student shall pay any outstanding sums due in tuition fees and accommodation costs
3. The accrued rights, remedies, obligations and liabilities of the Student and the University at termination shall not be affected, including the right to claim damages in respect of any breach of the Agreement which existed at or before the date of termination;
4. The University may withdraw Tier 4 sponsorship (where applicable); and
5. Clauses which expressly or by implication have effect after termination shall continue in full force and effect.

10. Agreement

10.1 The terms of this Agreement shall govern the Services provided. This Agreement shall come into force on the earlier of (a) the date of signature of this Agreement by the Student, and (b) the date on which the Student commences his/her course with the University.

During registration you will be asked to confirm your acceptance of the terms set out in the Agreement.

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