Terms and conditions

These terms and conditions accompany, and should be read together with, your offer of admission and your proposed Training Plan. Any offer of a place made to you by the University of Bath (the “University”) is on the basis that by accepting your offer, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions. It is therefore important that you carefully read and understand these terms and conditions before accepting your offer, as the University will apply and rely on them during your time as an apprentice.

Note that you may have other contractual arrangements with your employer (for example your contract of employment) and these will be subject to separate agreements.

Please ask if anything is unclear by contacting pgtadmissions@bath.ac.uk.

1. Regulations and documentation

1.1. The following documentation provides a framework through which the University and its students work together to create a positive environment for learning and achievement:

• the prospectuses
• the offer letter
• the University’s Royal Charter, statues and ordinances
• information on admission to the University
• the University’s Regulations, Rules, Codes, Policies and Procedures that apply to enrolled apprentices as amended from time to time (the Regulations for Student Apprentices “Regulations”)
• course handbooks
• faculty, subject and course brochures
• registration documentation

This documentation establishes the basis of the agreement between the University and its apprentices as to the rights, roles and responsibilities of both parties.

1.2. You will be required as a condition of enrolment and as a term of the contract between you and the University to abide by, and adhere to, the Regulations, which relate, among other things, to conduct and discipline, complaints, use of facilities (including IT facilities), health and safety, administration, assessments and the requirements of academic courses. These Regulations are available on the University’s website here.

1.3. Key provisions of the Regulations of which you should be aware include:

(a) the University’s expectations regarding attendance, academic due diligence and academic progress which you must comply with to progress with your course. There are detailed in regulation 3 of the Regulations available on the University’s website here.

(b) the University’s rules regarding academic misconduct, including plagiarism. You must comply with these rules and a breach could result in serious penalties, including, potentially academic penalties and/or expulsion. Further information can be found here.

(c) the University’s Disciplinary Regulations for Students and Student Discipline Procedure, which set out our expectations of student behaviour. A serious breach of the Student Disciplinary Regulations could result in a disciplinary process which could result in expulsion from the University. These are detailed in regulation 7 of the Regulations available on the University’s website here.

(d) the University’s Health, Wellbeing and Support for Study Policy, which describes the steps the University may take if there are concerns about your health and wellbeing that raise questions about your fitness and suitability to continue to study. This is detailed in Appendix 2 of the Regulations available on the University’s website here.

(e) the University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom, which sets out the University’s expectations in relation to upholding freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law, the procedures to be followed in organising events on University-controlled premises and the expected conduct at such events. Failure to follow the regulations could result in a disciplinary action under the University’s disciplinary procedures.

(f) the University’s policies relating to harassment and sexual misconduct, which set out the procedures for reporting and dealing with allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct against members of staff and students. Further information on how to report discrimination, misconduct, harassment or assault can be found here.

(g) the University’s fitness to practise policy and procedures which will be used if there is a concern that a student’s conduct, health or professional competence is impacting their fitness to practise their chosen profession. A breach could potentially result in a student not being able to continue on their course.

1.4. The University reserves the right to add to, delete or make reasonable changes to the Regulations where, in the opinion of the University, this will assist in the proper delivery of education. Changes are usually made for one or more of the following reasons:

(a) to review and update the Regulations to ensure they are fit for purpose.

(b) to safeguard academic standards, for example, in response to external examiner feedback.

(c) to reflect changes in the external environment, including legal or regulatory changes, changes to funding or financial arrangements or changes to government policy, requirements or guidance.

(d) to incorporate sector guidance or best practice.

(e) to incorporate feedback from students.

(f) to aid clarity or consistency of approach.

1.5. Any changes to the Regulations will normally come into effect at the start of the next academic year, although some may be introduced during the academic year where the University reasonably considers this to be in the interests of students, or where this is required by law or other exceptional circumstances. The University will take all reasonable steps to minimise disruption to students wherever reasonably possible, for example, by giving reasonable notice of changes to Regulations before they take effect, or by phasing in the changes, if appropriate. The updated Regulations will be made available on the University’s website and may be publicised by other means so that students are aware of any changes.

2. Delivery of your course

2.1. The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver teaching and related educational and other services and facilities required for your course in accordance with the description given to it for the academic year in which you began the course. However, the University will be entitled to make reasonable changes to your course or to related educational and other facilities and services where that will enable the University to deliver a better quality of educational experience to students enrolled the on the course.

2.2. Reasons for such changes may include:

(a) to ensure that we are continuing to provide the course to you lawfully and/or to maintain academic standards and quality.

(b) to reflect changes and developments in pedagogy or academic research to ensure that your course is relevant and up-to-date.

(c) to improve the quality of our educational and pastoral services or in response to student or external examiner and assessor feedback, or to reflect best practice across the higher education sector.

(d) in response to relevant professional or accrediting body requirements or guidance.

2.3. Such changes may be to:

(a) the content and syllabus of courses. (b) the timetable, location and number of classes. (c) the structure and/or timing of the delivery of the course. (d) the method of delivery of courses, services and facilities. (e) the examination and assessment process.

2.4. The government may also make changes to the Apprenticeship Standard which will require the University to make changes to your course.

2.5. In making any such changes, the University will aim to keep the changes to the minimum necessary to achieve the required quality of experience and will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required. If the University changes your course and you are not satisfied with the changes, you will be offered the support in relation to your options Further guidance can be found in our Student Protection Plan.

3. Confirming a place

3.1. Your place will only be confirmed if you meet all the conditions of your offer by any deadlines specified in your offer letter.

3.2. The University may also consider accepting you in the event you have narrowly missed your offer or to accommodate mitigating circumstances. Further details can be found within the Admissions Policy.

4. Providing evidence of qualifications

4.1. When you apply you will be required to produce satisfactory evidence of your previous qualifications and you must provide the Admissions Office with a clear and legible copy or scan of the original document(s).

4.2. If you successfully meet the conditions of your offer and commence your studies, you may also be required to produce hard copies of the original qualification documents themselves to the Admissions Team, either by post or in person when you attend our campus.

5. Communication with the University

5.1. On registration, you will be allocated a University email account. All email communications from the University will be sent to that account and you are expected to use that account for all communications with the University. You are expected to check your University email account regularly. Any communication sent to you at this email account will be regarded as properly sent and received by you.

6. Apprenticeship requirements

6.1. You may be required to provide evidence of your identity before, at or after registration as part of our responsibility to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements to undertake an apprenticeship. If you fail to provide satisfactory evidence of your residency or right to work (for example) we reserve the right to withdraw your offer and regard any subsequent registration as null and void.

6.2. You must remain employed throughout the duration of your course in a job role which will allow you to meet the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard. You must notify the University about any changes to your employment including changes to your working hours, job role or location, or if you leave your employment for any reason.

6.3. The University may withdraw you from your course if you cease to be eligible under the DfE apprenticeship funding rules.

6.4. By accepting your offer, you agree to comply with your obligations under these Terms and Conditions and the DfE apprenticeship funding rules.

6.5. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are eligible for an apprenticeship, including having a valid and eligible residency status and the right to work in England. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct immigration permissions and that you comply with all immigration requirements whilst undertaking your course. If your visa is revoked for any reason, the University reserves the right to terminate its contract with you and withdraw you from your course.

7. Fees

7.1. Your employer is responsible for the payment of your tuition fees and any additional charges relating to the delivery of your course. The funding arrangements in respect of your course are agreed between the University and your employer.

7.2. You agree to pay any charges which you incur personally whilst undertaking your course, such as library fines. If you do not pay money that you owe to the University, the University reserves the right to withdraw its services and/or your right to use its facilities where it is necessary and proportionate to do so. In deciding whether to do so, the University will consider all the circumstances of your case.

8. Criminal conviction declarations

8.1. As a condition of taking your place at the University, you are required to disclose on a continuing basis (i.e. as soon as is reasonably practicable following the event) any relevant unspent criminal convictions, by notifying the Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions at declaration@bath.ac.uk. We will contact you if further information is required. The University will only ask for information relevant to its obligations to safeguard staff and students or to comply with professional requirements.

8.2. Relevant unspent convictions include:

• any kind of violence including (but not limited to) threatening behaviour, offences concerning the intention to harm or offences which resulted in actual bodily harm
• offences listed in the Sex Offences Act 2003
• the unlawful supply of controlled drugs or substances where the conviction concerns commercial drug dealing or trafficking
• offences involving firearms
• offences involving arson
• offences listed in the Terrorism Act 2006

8.3. Any declaration made as part of your application to the University will be confidentially considered under the University’s Applicant Criminal Conviction Declaration Procedure and is processed under the Data Protection Act 2018, Schedule 1, Condition 10. If you disclose a relevant criminal conviction, it will initially be considered by the Head of Admissions responsible for your chosen course and, if necessary, referred to the Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions to assess whether any additional support may be needed and your overall suitability for your chosen course. If, as a result of this procedure, it is deemed that you are unsuitable for a place on your course, your offer may be withdrawn.

8.4. In the most serious cases, students who receive a criminal conviction during their studies may be suspended or withdrawn, depending on the nature of the conviction. This will only happen following completion of the disciplinary procedure or Health, Wellbeing and Support for study or fitness to practise process, as appropriate.

9. Truthfulness, completeness and originality of your application

9.1. Your offer of a place and any subsequent invitation to register are made on the basis that the information supplied in your application is true, complete and original and that you hold the qualifications that you claim to hold. You must give an accurate and complete educational history as requested, including all previous study and its location.

9.2. We also require details of your current employment and employment history and these must be accurate and verifiable.

9.3. Your offer will be withdrawn or, if applicable, any subsequent registration will be deemed null and void if you are found at any time to have provided incorrect or fraudulent information, or if you are found to have omitted key information or misrepresented any aspect of your circumstances or we find that any aspect of your application is not your own work or not genuine.

9.4. The University also reserves the right to withdraw your offer or, if applicable, deem any subsequent registration null and void if at any stage a qualification you hold is revoked by the awarding body due to suspected or confirmed malpractice.

10. Disability disclosures

10.1. The University is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment. We take seriously our duty to implement reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that put students with disabilities at a substantial disadvantage compared to those who do not have disabilities.

10.2. If you have particular support needs or disabilities which may affect your ability to undertake all or part of your course, you are encouraged to disclose these and discuss them in full with the University’s Disability Service Advice Team at the earliest opportunity. Early disclosure of a disability during the admissions process means the University is more likely to be able to implement appropriately tailored support before an individual’s arrival at the University. Where individuals do not disclose their disability and support needs early on, this may lead to delays in the implementation of reasonable adjustments and as a result, support may not be able to be implemented until after an individual arrives at the University and begins their course.

10.3. There may be exceptional circumstances where an individual:

• may be asked to defer their entry to allow the University time to make the necessary reasonable adjustments
• is unable to undertake a course for a reason related to their impairment or condition despite all reasonable adjustments being made by the University.

Such cases will be assessed by the Student Support Team and relevant course faculty on a case-by-case basis.

10.4. Find out about  the support available to you if you have a disability. This information will help you consider your offer.

11. Events Outside Our Control

11.1. There is further detail in the Regulations for Apprentices on what happens if events outside our control could have an impact on your course.

12. Use of your data

12.1. You can find out more about how the University handles student personal data and your rights in relation to data protection in our Data Protection Statement for Student Registration.

13. General matters

13.1. No term of the agreement between you and the University of Bath is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by any person who is not a party to the agreement.

13.2. If any provision of the agreement between you and the University is held to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part by any court or other competent authority, the agreement shall continue to be valid as to the other provisions contained in it and/or the remainder of the affected provision.

13.3. The agreement between you and the University of Bath is governed by English law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

14. Complaints

14.1. Complaints relating to admissions issues will be dealt with in accordance with the Applicant Complaints and Appeals Procedure. Under this procedure, complaints are dealt informally in the first instance and should be addressed to the Admissions Team at pgtadmissions@bath.ac.uk. Full details can be found here.

14.2. The University has a comprehensive Student Apprentice Complaints Policy which includes both informal and formal options which students can use to resolve complaints. Full details of the complaints process can be found in Appendix 1 of the Regulations available on the University’s website here.

14.3. If you remain unhappy with the outcome following completion of the University’s complaints procedure, you may be able to complain to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA). Full details of how the OIA works can be found here: www.oiahe.org.uk.

14.4. Students on apprenticeship courses may also contact the government Apprenticeship Service if they are not satisfied with the outcome of a complaint to the University. Apprenticeship Service Support can be contacted on 08000 150 600 or helpdesk@manage-apprenticeships.service.gov.uk.