Our Student Charter

Students

Recognise the importance of your individual role in the university and wider community, to help bring the university’s values to life and to uphold professional, courteous and respectful behaviour at all times.

In particular:

• uphold the values of the university by treating university staff, other students and our neighbours with respect and dignity
• being attentive to our university’s commitment to inclusion, diversity and equality
• conducting learning and research activities to the highest ethical standards, and in an honest and trustworthy manner
• respecting the physical environment within and outside of the university, being mindful of the importance of the safety and wellbeing of all our community members.

Brighton has a very positive energy – there’s always something going on. It’s a place where you can come thinking one thing and leave thinking another.

Oliver Coulson, Social Science student

The university 

Foster a culture and ethos of mutual respect and tolerance of all members of our university and its wider community, ensuring equality for all.

Students can expect:

• to be treated fairly, and with courtesy and respect
• their needs to be respectfully addressed, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, age, background, disability or sexual orientation
• the university to provide a safe and healthy study and living environment.

Just like the city we call home, the University of Brighton is a place where different perspectives meet. A place where opinions, ideas and visions of the world come together, feed off and inspire each other, and create something unique.

2019 university prospectus

The students' union 

Recognise and celebrate the diversity of our student community and taking steps to ensure that all of our students are welcomed, valued and included within the university and the local community.

By:

• representing specific groups of students and supporting the experience of non-traditional student groups
• encouraging mutual respect and community spirit through campaigns and initiatives
• hosting an annual celebration to recognise and reward student and staff contributions to the student experience at Brighton
• continually talking to students to better understand their needs so they have a union that is relevant to them.

I am amazed by how much my horizons have been expanded at Brighton. Speaking to so many students has opened my eyes to ensuring everyone is treated fairly and with respect.

Tomi Ibukun, SU President 2018/19

Students

Make a personal commitment to, and take responsibility for, your own learning and development by fully utilising the resources, facilities and research opportunities available.

In particular, by:

• preparing for, attending and participating actively in teaching and learning activities
• completing assignments on time and with academic integrity
• adhering to the academic standards of the course
• providing timely and constructive feedback to staff about your learning experience.

I have a range of different practices within my course: written work, editing and a lot of hands-on practical work – it suits me as I learn from doing more than just hearing what it’s all about.

Georgia Mutegevu, Media Studies student

The university

Offer a range of inclusive learning experiences through an innovative curriculum to support students to develop their knowledge, skills and intellectual curiosity, within a stimulating learning environment that fosters enquiry collaboration, co-production and experimentation.

In particular, by:

• publishing clear information about the modules, assessment and feedback that will be available throughout your course
• creating vibrant and motivating physical and virtual learning environments suitable for the diverse learners and courses across the university
• aspiring to the highest standards of teaching and research through innovation and use of appropriate technologies
• ensuring timely advice and feedback is provided by staff to promote students’ learning and development.

Learning should feel like a collaborative process. It’s my job to work with my colleagues to make sure our University is a supportive place where students have space to explore and practice what they learn, becoming skilled and confident so that they can fulfil their potential.

Professor Debra Humphris, Vice Chancellor

The students' union

Through the energy and effort of our dynamic sabbatical officers, volunteers and staff, work to simultaneously challenge and support the university to continuously improve the academic experience of students.

Through:

• representing students and working in partnership with the university in the ongoing development of the curriculum and learning environment
• recruiting, training and supporting course representatives to have a positive impact on the continual improvement of courses and the student experience, working in partnership with the course teams
• contributing to the development of student-centred policies, procedures and academic regulations, through the committee work of our elected officers and staff
• encouraging continuous improvement by holding the university to account on the union’s academic priorities
• working on a variety of student engagement projects that enhance the academic environment and student experience.

Our BSU Education Campaign has had such a positive response from students who want to feed back about their experience, and to see how the University is improving the student experience by listening to the student voice.

Parker Robinson, VP Student Experience

Students

Be proactive in seeking support and advice to ensure that you can fulfil your personal and academic potential, alongside maintaining your health and wellbeing.

Through:

• early engagement in goal-setting and assessing your progress with your personal academic tutor
• talking to your student support and guidance tutor in times of difficulty or uncertainty
• making sure you are aware of the support on offer through the university’s student services and the Students’ Union support services.

Mood Boost gave me some great skills to help improve wellbeing. Each week I learned a new skill to help combat negative feelings. I continue to use these whenever I feel stressed or low.

Jordan Lansborough, Psychology and Sociology student

The university 

Offer a wide range of accessible services to support students throughout their time at university, provided by qualified professional staff who are focused on students’ experience, development and wellbeing.

Through offering:

• information on progress and engagement of students to facilitate personal action and timely support for learning
• structured support for personal and academic development of students and access to personal academic tutors
• advice and support to all learners, irrespective of background or circumstances
• expert guidance to students facing personal difficulties with accommodation, finance or personal matters during their studies.

Our reading weeks have been replaced by enrichment weeks with timetables of health, wellbeing and development activities scheduled, including yoga, meditation and creating free self-help kits.

Julie Fowlie, Principal Lecturer, School of Business and Law

The students’ union

Provide a range of services for our members that support and promote academic success, health and wellbeing.

By:

• providing individual support to students, through our union support team, to assist with a range of academic and personal matters
• working closely with the university’s student services to raise awareness of issues affecting the students and signposting students to the most appropriate support
• offering advice and advocacy if difficulties arise which are preventing access, inclusion and progression in learning
• leading and contributing to campaigns and initiatives across our campuses to promote student mental health and the wellbeing of students in the university.

We're committed to making student life better. As such, we're here to help you on a variety of academic issues. If you're struggling with hitting deadlines, have educational needs that aren't being addressed or are being accused of academic misconduct, you can come and speak to us at any time.

BSU website

Students 

Be open to new learning experiences and challenges, both inside and outside of your course, that can boost your confidence and develop your passion and curiosity for lifelong learning.

Through:

• focusing on your personal development and growth, using all assignment feedback you are given to feed forward into your academic progress and to build your future professional identity
• making the most of opportunities to gain work experience through placements, volunteering, and other employability events and activities
• participating in activities that the university has to offer outside of the classroom, such as joining a Students’ Union society, peer study group or sports club.

The only limits you might encounter at the University of Brighton are those set by yourself. The course is engaging and challenging and there will always be a member of staff willing to help you, taking feedback on board to improve the experience of students and help them meet their potential.

Liam Ardagh, Aeronautical Engineering student

The university

Offer a range of opportunities within and outside the course curriculum, to enable students to develop the practical knowledge and skills, passion and creativity to equip them for their professional and personal futures.

Through:

• integrating employability skills and personal development within and across the curriculum, including placements, work-based learning, and professional and interdisciplinary learning opportunities
• maintaining strong relations and close contact with industries and sectors associated with our courses to make sure our curriculum remains current and relevant
• offering a range of extracurricular opportunities to take part in volunteering, part-time employment, community action and mentorship programmes
• offering career support to all students to maximise their prospects and employability, and for alumni in their continued development and careers.

We use a diverse programme of placements to give our students opportunities, with appropriate support, to develop and deliver interventions in settings where occupational therapy is not traditionally delivered.

David Haines, Principal Lecturer, School of Sport and Health Sciences

The students’ union

Support active student engagement and employability by providing a varied and exciting extracurricular offer, encouraging every student to explore and develop their own interests and passions to prepare them for future success.

Through:

• providing a programme of events across all campuses throughout the year, helping students to socialise and make friends whilst at the university
• coordinating and supporting student societies to empower students to find and explore their hobbies and passions, that can promote their personal development and improve their employability
• supporting a wide range of competitive and non-competitive sports in partnership with the university (through Sport Brighton), enabling our members to stay healthy and happy.

I first got involved in setting up the Southeast Asian Society when my friends and I were joking about how nice it would be if we were to create a society to meet more people of Asian background…

The Students’ Union guided us through every step, and we were able to complete all of the requirements and get the society ratified.

Carylle Mirano, Computer Science student

Students

Engage in opportunities to feed back on your experience and contribute to creating an exciting environment for learning and high-quality research, recognising that students and staff can work together to generate ideas to improve standards and university life.

Through:

• supporting the Students’ Union representative system by giving feedback to course representatives about your experiences
• talking openly and honestly about issues as they arise, through your personal or academic tutor, or student support and guidance tutors
• helping to build a learning community by contributing your views and creativity to problem-solving, subject innovation and through engaging in course forums.

We use Touchstone Tours to empower students by getting them to take on the role of tour guide and give staff a 1-2-1 tour of the library from their point of view highlighting their likes and dislikes. Each tour is videoed so that we can track patterns in feedback and use this to inform service improvements.

Cath Morgan, Head of Library Services

The university

Listen to and engage students, not only to provide opportunities for feedback on their experience throughout their university journey, but also actively encourage them to work in partnership to shape the quality of their learning experience.

By:

• maintaining systems of representation at course and university level through staff and student consultative committees, and other dedicated student forums
• encouraging and supporting recruitment of student representatives in all courses and schools
• providing opportunities for students to feedback on their experience at course and module level, and build this feedback into the university’s regular review processes
• feeding back to students on the changes and developments that have resulted from their participation in the continuous cycle of development and improvement.

We have appointed a Student Engagement Champion in our School who is helping to develop new ways of collecting student feedback and encouraging participation.

Andy Knott, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Sciences

The students’ union

Represent and amplify the student voice, to ensure students are at the heart of decisions made within the university and the union.

By:

• being clear and transparent in how the union is run and how students can influence what it does
• supporting and encouraging student engagement in school and campus committees
• providing students with opportunities to feedback on and influence the work of the Students’ Union, including regular forums, surveys and the democratic elections of union officers
• actively representing our members in national campaigns advocating, negotiating and lobbying relevant parties on student issues.

Every year students are elected by other students to represent our university community… We also have course reps on every course in every year who feedback on how your course is and help make changes.

BSU section of 2019 university prospectus