UNIVERSITY OF KENT

1. General Regulations for Students

The Regulations which follow are current with effect from 3 October 2016

Contents

I Preamble

II Registration of Students
1 Matriculation
2 Keeping of Terms
3 Residential accommodation
4 Absence During Term
5 Medical Care
6 Payment of Fees and Other Charges
7 Electronic Communications

III Registration, Programmes of Study and Examinations

1 Registration
2 Attendance at Seminars, Supervisions, Examples Classes, Laboratory and Other
Practical Classes and Lectures
3 Use of Vacations
4 Conduct of Examinations

IV The Award of Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates

V Discipline of Students
1 & 2 General
3 Academic Discipline
4 Health and Safety
5 Students' Societies
6 Room Bookings
7 Fraudulent Information, Documents and Payments
.

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1 General Regulations for Students

I Preamble
In a University, as in any other community, a balance has to be struck between the freedom of
action of the individual and the good of the community as a whole. The function of these 'General
Regulations for Students' is to provide (along with the University’s Royal Charter and its more
general Statutes and Ordinances) part of the formal framework needed to assure the position of
the University in three main respects: (a) its reputation as an institution for teaching and research;
(b) its responsibility to ensure that the general body of its own members have satisfactory
conditions in which to pursue the aims and objectives of the University; and (c) its accountability
for public monies for the spending of which it is directly or indirectly responsible.

The preservation of freedom of discussion must be a prime objective of any institution devoted to
the advancement of knowledge, and all members of the University have a duty to show tolerance
of the opinions of others, even though they may find them unpalatable. The right to freedom of
expression, however, is not absolute, and it must not be exercised in ways which encroach upon
the rights of the rest of the community or encourage any such encroachment.

Notes: The term 'undergraduate' is used in these Regulations to denote any person registered for
part or all of a course leading to a first degree, diploma or certificate in the University; the term
'postgraduate' is used to denote any person registered as a candidate for a higher degree or
postgraduate diploma of the University. The term 'student' encompasses both undergraduates
and postgraduates. All terms also cover those registered in the University whose studies will not
lead to an award of the University.

These Regulations cover all students of the University whether in Canterbury, Medway,
Tonbridge, Brussels, Paris or other locations including in partner colleges.

II Regulations Governing the Registration of Students

1. Matriculation

At registration in the University every student subscribes to the following matriculation

declaration:

"I promise to observe the University’s Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations as far as
they concern me and to pay due respect and obedience to the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor
and other officers of the University".

Notes:
(a) Under the terms of Ordinance 25 matriculation constitutes formal admission to a course of
study in the University; it confers the privileges of membership of the University and carries with it
the obligation to conform to the discipline of the University and to the Regulations made for this
purpose from time to time by the Senate.

(b) Every student, whether residing in University accommodation or not, becomes a member of
one of the Colleges of the University and is entitled to all the privileges and subject to all of the
responsibilities which this membership affords.

2. The Keeping of Terms

2.1 The Regulations for Taught Programmes of Study prescribe the period of attendance required
to qualify for the award of a degree, diploma or certificate of the University. During each Term of
attendance required by those regulations a student must:

(a) reside in such place that enables him/her to comply fully with the requirements of the course

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for which he/she is registered (see also Regulation II.3 below);

(b) be present in the University as required to fulfil the requirements of his/her programme of
studies and participate in University life.

2.2 The Regulations for Research Programmes of Study prescribe the period of attendance
required to qualify for the award of a higher degree or diploma.

3. Residential accommodation

3.1 Students are required to register the address and telephone number of their accommodation
and contact telephone number with the Student Records & Examinations Office by their first day
of registration.

3.2 Students who subsequently change their address and telephone number of their
accommodation and contact telephone number are required to register the change(s) and School
on the Student Data System.

4. Absence during Term

Any student prevented by illness or other emergency from being in the University should
immediately notify his/her School Office.

5. Medical Care

5.1 All full-time students must register with a local medical practitioner for the whole period of their
course of study.

5.2 It is a condition of admission to a full-time course in the University for every student coming
directly from overseas that he/she must, before he/she may be formally registered for his/her
course, produce a certificate of chest X-ray dated within the previous 12 months, if so required by
the UK Border Agency.

Note: The University Medical Centre in Canterbury is available to give advice on personal medical
problems to Canterbury-based students.

6. Payment of Fees and Other Charges

6.1 The University recognises two categories of fees and charges; Academic Related and
Ancillary. Academic related fees and charges include any services that directly relate to the
programme of study on which a student is registered; examples include tuition fees and library
fines. Ancillary fees are those which do not directly relate to the programme of study, examples
are accommodation charges, fines other than library fines, parking charges and membership fees.

6.2 All University tuition fees and other charges are due in advance of the beginning of the
academic year to which they relate or as agreed otherwise by the Income Office.

6.3 All University accommodation fees are due in advance at the beginning of the term to which
they relate, in accordance with the accommodation agreement. If accommodation fees are not
paid after prior notification and an opportunity to appeal sanctions will be applied in accordance
with the University’s debt collection policy.

6.4 Appeals against the requirement to withdraw from the University will not be considered unless
all University academic related debts have been paid.

Notes:
(a) Payment means that cleared funds have been received by the University. Any registration
made in the light of a purported payment, such as a debit/credit card on which payment is refused,
is automatically void.

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(b) Any students whose financial circumstances are such that they are unable to comply with the
terms of Regulation 6(i) above should consult the Income Office without delay. The Income Office
will always treat cases of genuine difficulty such as the late payment of awards, unexpected
changes of circumstances or hardship with sympathy and flexibility.

(c) Regulation IV.5 below also refers.

7. Electronic Communications

The University uses email to issue formal communications. Students are required to activate and
use their Information Services IT accounts during their registration at the University. Once
registered, students are required to use this account regularly (i.e. at least daily during term time
and otherwise at least weekly).

III. Regulations Governing Registration, Programmes of Study and

Examinations
Students are required to comply with the regulations governing the course of study for which they
are registered*. In addition the General Regulations which follow apply to students.

Note: *The academic regulations for taught programmes and for research programmes may be
found on the University’s website:

http://www.kent.ac.uk/regulations/academic.html

1. Registration

Each student is required to register using his/her full legal name and to advise the Student
Records Office promptly in writing, with documentary evidence, of any change to this.

Students will not be allowed to register or re-register with the University if they have an
outstanding academic related debt to the University.

A student’s registration at the University may be withdrawn, after prior notification and the
opportunity to appeal, if the student has an academic related debt to the University.

A student who is sponsored by the University for a Tier 4 study visa may have their sponsorship
and registration withdrawn if they fail to meet the requirements of engagement with their
programme of study. The University is required to report students who fail to engage with their
programme to the Home Office.

2. Attendance at Seminars, Supervisions, Examples Classes, Laboratory and Other

Practical Classes and Lectures and submission of coursework

All students must attend such seminars, supervisions, examples classes, laboratory and other
practical classes and lectures as may be individually required of them. Any student who wants to
miss a compulsory class should obtain prior permission using the system in place in their school
without delay.

Students must submit all required coursework by the due date. If a student is unable to submit a
piece of coursework on time they should follow the published procedure in their school and submit
an Extension Form, before the deadline of the piece of work.

Failure to attend or submit coursework without prior notice or a timely and credible explanation
may result in a student’s registration being terminated.

3. Use of Vacations

3.1 During vacations, all taught students are expected to continue with academic study if so

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required by their programme of study, or, where appropriate, to gain approved professional
experience.

3.2 For any period of attendance at the University required of a student by his/her School during a
vacation, he/she must observe such relevant parts of these Regulations and, in particular,
Regulation II.2 ('The Keeping of Terms') as may be required of him/her.

Note: The attention of students taking taught programmes of study is drawn to two parts of the
Regulations for Taught Programmes of Study:

(a) to paragraph 5.2 under which the Board of the Faculty has power to terminate the membership
of the University of a student who fails to perform satisfactorily the work prescribed for him/her;

(b) to Section 7 which relates to candidates whose attendance at or performance in a prescribed

examination is affected by illness or any other misfortune.

4. Conduct of Examinations

4.1 Candidates may not leave an examination room during the first 30 minutes of a session.
Candidates may enter an examination room at any time during a session. However, where a
candidate enters an examination room more than 30 minutes after the start of a session, the
relevant Board of Examiners shall have discretion to decide whether and how marks awarded in
such circumstances are to be used. Candidates who enter an examination room after the start of
a session will not as a result be granted additional time for the examination.

4.2 Except where allowed by the examination instructions no candidate may introduce into the
examination room any book, manuscript or other object or material relevant to the subject of the
examination.

4.3 Every candidate is forbidden to communicate in any way or to seek assistance from or give
assistance to another candidate in the examination room.

4.4 No candidate may remove from the examination room any papers except the question paper
and such books or other material as the examination instructions permit to be introduced into the
examination room.

4.5 Any candidate suspected of using or attempting to use any unfair means, including copying, or
attempting to copy from the work of another candidate in the examination room, will be reported
immediately by the Senior Invigilator to the relevant academic School. Such a person will render
himself/herself liable to disciplinary action, which may include failure in the whole or in part of the
examination.

4.6 Should a candidate act in such a way as to disturb or inconvenience any other candidate
he/she will be warned and may, at the discretion of the Senior Invigilator, be dismissed from the
session.

4.7 Candidates are not allowed to take unauthorised materials, mobile phones or other electronic
devices with them into examinations.

IV The Award of Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates

1. A candidate for an award of the University shall be entitled to use the rights and privileges of
the degree or other award from the date of the Congregation/Awards Ceremony at which the
qualification has been formally awarded. The certificate for the Degree, Diploma or Certificate
bears the full legal name of the person on whom the award has been conferred and the date of
the Congregation/Awards Ceremony at which the award was awarded.

2. Graduands are required to present themselves for the conferment of degrees and other awards

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at a Congregation/Awards Ceremony suitably dressed and wearing the gown, hood and cap
appropriate to the qualification to be awarded.

3. Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates may be conferred on candidates in person or in absentia.

Candidates must notify the University Registry in response to a letter of enquiry which will be sent
to them:

either

(a) that they wish to attend the specified degree Congregation/Awards Ceremony and have their
degrees or other awards conferred in person;

or

(b) that they wish to have their degrees or other awards conferred in absentia;

or

(c) that they are unable to attend the specified Congregation/Awards Ceremony but wish to have
their degrees or other awards conferred in person at a Congregation/Awards Ceremony in the
following year.

If such a notification is not received by the Registry by the date prescribed in the letter of enquiry,
the degree or other award will be conferred in absentia.

4. If a candidate who had given notice of his/her intention to be present in accordance with 3(a)
above is, in the event, unable to attend the Congregation, his/her degree or other award will be
conferred in absentia.

5. No person eligible for the award of a degree of the University shall be admitted to the degree
unless he/she shall first have paid all academic related University fees and other charges as are
due and has complied with the Library regulations concerning the return of books or other Library
materials.

6. Any student who has an outstanding ancillary debt at the time of graduation will not be allowed
to attend the graduation ceremony and will receive their award in absentia.

Notes:
(a) At Congregations/Awards Ceremonies for the conferment of degrees and other awards the
Chancellor, or in his/her absence, the Vice-Chancellor, or, in his/her absence, a senior officer
appointed by the Vice-Chancellor, presides.

(b) The formal admission of persons to degrees and other awards is made by the Chancellor or by
the Vice-Chancellor or by a senior officer appointed by the Vice-Chancellor.

(c) Candidates for awards are presented to the Chancellor or the Vice-Chancellor (or other senior
officer) by the Dean of the appropriate Faculty or by his/her deputy. Honorary graduands are
presented by the Public Orator.

(d) Awards to students who have satisfactorily completed accredited programmes of study
provided by other institutions are presented by the Dean of the appropriate Faculty, his/her deputy
or by the Head of the institution in which the students concerned pursued their studies or his/her
deputy.

V. Discipline of Students
The Senate, under Ordinance 6.5.12, has the power to make, and the duty to enforce, regulations
for the discipline of students of the University.

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1. Students are required to observe the regulations concerning non-academic discipline and other
regulations which include those relating to the use of individual buildings, facilities and services*.

Note: *These include Regulations concerning non-academic student discipline, the use of the
Library, IT facilities and for the management of traffic; these may be found on the University’s
website: http://www.kent.ac.uk/regulations/general.html

2. All students are required to conduct themselves in an orderly manner to avoid causing injury,
damage or disturbance to others, or creating a serious risk thereof at all times.

3. Academic Discipline

Students are required to act with honesty and integrity in fulfilling requirements in relation to
assessment of their academic progress.

Note: The following are some examples of conduct which will be regarded as a breach of this
Regulation:
 Cheating in examinations and in-class assessments: including the use of unauthorised
materials, mobile phones or other prohibited electronic devices.
 Attempting to influence an examiner or teacher improperly.
 Plagiarism: reproducing in any work submitted for assessment or review (for example,
examination answers, essays, project reports, dissertations or theses) any material derived
from work authored by another without clearly acknowledging the source.
 Duplication of material: reproducing in any submitted work any substantial amount of material
used by that student in other work for assessment, either at this University or elsewhere,
without acknowledging that such work has been so submitted.
 Conspiring with others to reproduce the work of others without proper acknowledgement,
including knowingly permitting work to be copied by another student.
 Falsification of data/evidence.

The above examples are not exhaustive and do not limit the application of this Regulation from
other acts deemed to be in contravention of the Regulation.

Alleged breaches of this Regulation will be dealt with in accordance with the procedures
designated by the Learning & Teaching Board*.

*These can be found in the Credit Framework for Taught Programmes: Annex 10: Academic
Discipline: Procedures which is available at:
http://www.kent.ac.uk/uelt/quality/credit/creditinfoannex10.html

4. Health and Safety

Any act or omission committed by a student, which would constitute, if committed by a University
employee, a breach of the provisions of health and safety legislation, shall be a breach of
University discipline.

Note:
Breaches of this Regulation are dealt with under the Regulations on Student Discipline in relation
to non-academic matters.

5. Students' Societies

All students' societies and clubs must be established in accordance with the rules determined by
the Students’ Union.
Where this is not the case or is inappropriate formal University recognition of the society or club
by the Secretary of the Council (or delegate) would be required before any booking of University
room or facilities (see V.6 below) would be permitted.

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6. Room Bookings

Any booking of a University room/facilities for a meeting or function by a student, a student society
or other recognised group requires the organiser(s) to abide by: any requirements prescribed by
the Timetabling Office, Central Secretariat, Information Services or other office/officer responsible
for the accommodation concerned; any requirements arising from the University’s Health and
Safety Policy, the Fire Regulations or other University requirements; any requirements of the
Licensing Laws or other legislation; and to comply with the requirements of the University’s Code
of Practice on Freedom of Speech

7. Fraudulent Information, Documents and Payments

Students are required to provide the University with accurate information, documents and
payments. Any student either presenting the University with fraudulent information or documents,
or making a fraudulent payment may be disciplined using the University’s disciplinary procedures.

Fraudulent certificates of qualifications provided to support a student’s application for admission to

the University will lead to any offer based on those qualifications being immediately withdrawn.

KJL/hap
3 October 2016