Fitness to Study, Reside and Practise

The Fitness to Study Policy

Fitness to Study assesses how well a student can fully engage with their studies and meet the objectives of their programme without endangering their own well-being or that of others. Any student who declares a health condition or disability will be subject to Fitness to Study consideration.

Grounds for concern regarding Fitness to Study may include:

• The student posing a risk to themselves or others.
• The student's behaviour negatively affecting the experience of others in the university course.
• The student's behaviour negatively affecting the day-to-day activities of the university.

Procedure 

If a Fitness to Study is raised about a student, most concerns will be handled though the Support to Study process. 

If the University feels more support is required then the student may be asked to attend a meeting. The case will be dealt with by a Faculty Fitness to Study Advisor (usually the Associate Dean) and a Student Support Services Head. They will complete a Fitness to Study Risk Assessment and pass it to the Student Casework Team.

The Advice Service can accompany students to the meeting with the FSA and the Fitness to Study Panel but cannot speak on their behalf. 

You can have a look at the Universities Fitness to Study Policy here.  

The Fitness to Reside Policy

The University has a Fitness to Reside policy. This relates to a student's ability to live well with others, observing rules and norms that promote a pleasant and safe living environment in a University-allocated or third-party nominated hall.

If your fitness to reside is ever questioned, you should first be supported informally by the university and halls provider to help decide on steps that will enable you to continue living in halls.

If these measures have been exhausted and there are still concerns, a Fitness to Reside Panel will be convened.

Procedure 

If you are called to a Fitness to Reside Panel, you will be notified. The formal notice will include the date, time, and venue of the panel, details of where help and advice can be sought, and a copy of any documents that may be considered during the meeting. The Advice Service can also support you and attend the meeting with you, should you want someone to accompany you. 

A Fitness to Reside Panel typically has five attendees from the University's side: the Head of Residential Services or a nominated representative as Chair, the Head of Wellbeing or a nominated representative, a Student Union representative, and a secretary who will produce a record of the proceedings. The Hall Manager or their representative will present the case and all evidence to the panel for consideration.

Within two working days of the Fitness to Reside Panel, the Chair, via the Secretary, will issue the Decision Notice.

Please find the Fitness to Reside Policy here. 

The Fitness to Practice Policy

Fitness to Practice assesses whether a student has adhered to the rules and regulations set by the professional bodies governing their course. Students in specific professional courses are expected to uphold and respect the standards established by the course's professional body. At the start of the student's course, these standards and expectations should be made clear. 

Procedure 

Please see Fitness to Practise Policy here. 

Appeals

If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal. The Appeals process may vary slightly for each type of appeal, you can get more clarity by looking at the policies themselves. Alternatively, you can get in touch with The Advice Service for support.