The Student Charter

Our Student Charter, developed jointly by the University and the Students' Union, is an important part of how we establish and maintain clear mutual expectations for the experience of all undergraduate and taught postgraduates. It sets out what we can expect from each other as partners in a learning community.

 

One of the University's three core goals is "To provide a superb higher education and learning experience to outstanding students, irrespective of their backgrounds, and to produce graduates distinguished by their intellectual capabilities, employability, leadership qualities, and their ability and ambition to contribute to society" (from the University of Manchester Strategic Vision 2020). Our Student Charter, developed jointly by the University and the Students' Union, is an important part of how we establish and maintain clear mutual expectations for the experience of all undergraduate and taught postgraduates. It sets out what we can expect from each other as partners in a learning community.

The Charter provides an overview of the Manchester experience and refers to regulations, policies and procedures; it is not a detailed personal agreement or contract.

The content and implementation of the Charter are reviewed annually. If you would like to make any comments or suggestions on the Charter then please e-mail studentcharter@manchester.ac.uk.

Our learning experience

Together we will:

  • Mutually commit to hard work and a desire to achieve our best.

As a student I will:

As a University we will:

  • Provide you with an excellent student experience based upon personalised learning (see Policy on Personalised Learning).
  • Organise teaching timetables to enhance the learning experience, creating a sense of academic identity and providing prompt information via My Manchester.
  • Treat you as a partner in the planning and operation of your teaching programme.
  • Keep the curriculum up to date and use our research, where feasible and appropriate, to inform the curriculum.
  • Support you in your studies through academic advice, providing prompt and useful feedback on assessments, and opportunities for discussion of this feedback (see Policy on Feedback to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Students).
  • Ensure you have access to advice, counselling and other specialist support services (such as support if you are a disabled student) for the duration of your time at the University (see Student Support).

Personal and Academic Development

Together we will:

  • Actively engage with all learning opportunities with the aim of constructively challenging and broadening one another.

As a student I will:

As a University we will:

  • Ensure you have access to a range of opportunities to improve your skills and employability, and encourage you to engage with such opportunities.
  • Ensure that you have a diverse range of extra-curricular activities on offer through both the University and the Students’ Union, and encourage you to take part in those activities.
  • Prepare you for citizenship and leadership in a diverse, global environment.
  • Provide you with opportunities to reflect upon your personal development (see information on Personal Development Planning (PDP).
  • Ensure that all of our spaces are fit for purpose and provide a safe study environment.
  • Provide you with access to careers information, guidance and support until two years after you’ve graduated.

Communicating and interacting with each other

Together we will:

  • Communicate with openness, respect and honesty, exemplified by transparency and constructive dialogue.

As a student I will:

  • Keep up to date with, and respond in a timely manner to, University and UMSU communications.
  • Engage in feedback mechanisms that seek to evaluate my learning experience.
  • Express my views to student representatives and officers of the Students’ Union so that they can represent me effectively (see Principles and Guidance for Student Representation).

As a University we will:

  • Provide you with information to help you plan your studies, including transparent information on contact time and the likely cost of studying on your programme (see information about fees).
  • Use appropriate technology to teach, support and communicate with you, where available and when it enhances your learning experience.
  • Provide you with full, accurate and accessible information about the University, its facilities, programmes and regulations.
  • Work in partnership across the University to set and deliver consistent levels of service for you.
  • Demonstrate high professional standards when interacting with you.
  • Listen to you and respond to any concerns regarding your learning experience in a timely manner.
  • Respond in a fair, timely and transparent manner to academic complaints and appeals (see Student Complaints Procedure, Basic Guide to Academic Appeals and the Academic Appeals Regulation).

Respecting and valuing each other

Together we will:

As a student I will:

As a University we will:

  • Provide you with opportunities to fulfil your social responsibilities through peer support, wider engagement with the community, and extra-curricular activities such as volunteering.
  • Ensure an accessible environment for you (see information on disabled students’ support).

Being part of our community

Together we will:

  • Be a positive and responsible part of our local community, respecting the views of our neighbours and the communities in which we live together.
  • Live, study and work in an environmentally sustainable way.

As a student I will:

  • Behave in a responsible manner and act as an ambassador for the University.

As a University we will:

Contact us

(University Switchboard)
+44 (0) 161 306 6000

Find us

The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL

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