Having made the important decision to accept a place at the University of Derby we welcome you into our community.
It is important that you understand clearly what joining our University community means for you. There are both benefits and responsibilities. This statement will help you understand the spirit of the relationship between you, the University and the other members of our learning community – your fellow students and our staff.
In that sense this statement forms a Learning Agreement. The areas of support and responsibility detailed here are also areas that from our research our students have told us are important for their success.
Here at the University of Derby we are committed to helping you make the most of your time studying with us. We want to challenge you intellectually, help you maximise your performance, enjoy your experience and achieve to your full academic potential.
There is also a range of support we pledge to offer, because being a student at the University of Derby is demanding. We know this support is important to help you meet that challenge and succeed. This is support that we believe:
- You have an entitlement to
- You should expect to make use of
- Actively using it will benefit you in your studies with us
We want you to use this support as you need to and we want you to tell us about your experience to help us improve still further.
Being a member of the University community also gives you a number of responsibilities. These responsibilities are important in assisting you and other students to get the most from your time at University. Taking these responsibilities seriously and acting upon them will help to provide the right kind of environment for you and others to study, learn and grow.
Responsibilities Statements
Having joined the University community you have accepted a number of responsibilities. This list is not complete but is intended to highlight those responsibilities that we believe are of most benefit to you. This means you are required to:
1. Communicate with us regularly, explain if there are difficulties you are experiencing and use relevant support.
2. Seek and make use of the information, services and resources that are made available to support you in your studies and to help contribute to your success.
3. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner with a high degree of regard and respect for the learning, living and working environment of others in your community. The University of Derby has clearly identified a set of values and behaviours that defines our community. Read our student code of conduct.
4. Attend all your formal study commitments and maximise the wider range of learning opportunities in the University environment.
5. Study conscientiously and undertake all the assessed work for your programme.
6. Let us know if you experience any personal difficulties in engaging with your studies or you have any concerns with respect to delivery of your course.
7. Regularly read your Unimail and respond in a timely manner to specific communication about your study from your tutor or programme team. Usually within 48 hours (2 working days)
8. Contribute as a member of our community and to its development as a learning environment, including:
- working constructively with others
- providing feedback and ideas for improvement
- actively participating in decision making
9. Understand and use the policies, procedures and regulations within the University community, so that you are well informed about your wider responsibilities and rights and those of the University. Read our academic regulations, policies and procedures.
Entitlement Statements
You can expect:
1. Personal Tutor Support
Contact with a named Personal Tutor throughout your course.
2. Module Information
Clear information about modules that is available in advance in a standardised format to inform your choices.
3. Assessment Feedback
High quality feedback on all assessed work, other than formal examinations, linked to the assessment criteria and learning outcomes for the module, usually within 3 weeks.
Where this is necessarily longer, because of the nature of the work, the timescale will be explicitly stated in the published module information.
N.B. This does not replace the opportunity of providing some verbal feedback more quickly where appropriate, but will be followed by the formal written/audio feedback identified above.
4. Subject Related Contact with other Students
Regular opportunities for good quality, informal, subject related, contact with students from your course, particularly including students from more advanced levels.
5. Membership of University of Derby Students’ Union (UDSU) Membership:
- Independently ensures your voice is heard within the University
- provides you with quality independent advice and support to defend and extend your rights as students
- provides opportunities to pursue your hobbies and interests including sports, societies, media and volunteering
- entitles you to decide what we do by fair democratic processes
- enhances your student lifestyle via various services, events and activities
- ensures your union is accountable for its actions
6. Personal, Pastoral and Study Support Services
High quality professional support services and self help resources because we know that there is a clear link between your wellbeing and your academic performance.
You will also receive:
- timely information about the range of personal, pastoral and study related support services available to you at the University
- help to find them
- the opportunity to use these services within their published time standards
- a professional response when you do use them
- a range of self help resources and information
7. Career, Skills and Personal Development
Opportunities within your course and University life to:
- Develop skills that will be useful to you and that are linked to employment
- Identify and meet your personal development needs
- Engage with Career planning
You should be able to identify clearly where you have had these opportunities
8. Academic Timetable
Your timetable for the year published electronically before your teaching year starts. This is intended to provide the opportunity to plan your time following your module choices.
N.B. For courses where timetables are negotiated, the parameters of this will be made clear to you in a formal way prior to enrolling on your course.
9. Positive Learning Environment
Positive support to address issues related to the conduct of others that impacts on the learning environment for you. This extends to the Halls of Residence as well as University Campus areas.
There are clear procedures set out for reporting and dealing with conduct causing concern, and positive support from any member of staff to listen and act appropriately to address concerns.
10. Co-ordinated and Responsive University Communication
The University to communicate with you in a co-ordinated and considered way, with information that is:
- relevant
- presented well
- has clear contact details to assist you
We will do this using a variety of media appropriate for you, and will consult with students and the Students’ Union on the best way to do this.
Communication aimed at all students will be timed at important intervals during the year, with key messages designed to help you in your learning.
Individual communication from you should be responded to usually within 48 hours (2 working days) and the options for methods of communication on your programme will be made clear to you with some standards for both parties attached. Out of office notifications for e-mails will detail expected return dates and any alternative communication routes.
11. Professional Service Standards
Courteous and professional service from University staff. This service will be within a supportive procedural framework.
This means that we will assist you to understand what you need, what is possible and also what is not possible. When we cannot do what you would like us to, we will also explain why.