regulations - royal college of art · fashion menswear; fashion womenswear; textiles frayling...

2016/17

Regulations

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Content

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ROYA L C O L L EG E O F A R T

Regulations 1

Content 2

Term Dates 9

College 11

Buildings 11

DARWIN BUILDING, KENSINGTON GORE, LONDON SW7 2EU 12

FRAYLING BUILDING 12

STEVENS BUILDING, 2–6 JAY MEWS, LONDON SW7 2EP 12

Mission 14

Statement 14

College Staff 16

1 OFFICERS OF THE COLLEGE 17

2 COLLEGE MANAGEMENT 17

2.1 Research & Knowledge Exchange 17

2.2 Information, Learning & Technical Services 17

2.3 Registry 17

2.4 Academic Development 17

2.5 Student Support 17

2.6 Finance 17

2.7 Human Resources 17

2.8 Development 18

2.9 Communications & Marketing 18

2.10 Premises & Catering 18

3 STUDENTS’ UNION 18

4 ACADEMIC STAFF 18

4.1 School of Architecture 18

4.2 School of Communication 18

4.3 School of Design 18

4.4 School of Fine Art 19

4.5 School of Humanities 19

4.6 School of Material 20

4.7 Research: MRes Royal College of Art 20

General 21

Regulations 21

1 REGISTRATION 22

2 FEES 22

3 REGULATIONS 22

4 ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE 23

4.1 Attendance 23

4.2 Leave of Absence 23

4.3 Paid employment 24

4.4 Registatration 24

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4.5 Aegrotat 24

5 CONDUCT 24

5.1 Student Discipline 24

5.2 Misconduct 24

5.3 Action to be taken in the event of alleged misconduct 25

5.4 Misconduct that is a criminal offence 26

5.5 Disciplinary Committee 26

5.6 Penalties which may be imposed by a disciplinary committee 26

5.7 Appeals 27

5.8 Appeals Committee 27

5.9 Petition to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator 27

6 ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT 27

6.1 Definition 27

6.2 Procedure to be adopted in the event of alleged academic misconduct 28

6.3 Inquiry panel hearing 29

7 RIGHTS IN STUDENTS’ WORK 29

8 COPYRIGHT 31

9 OUTSIDE AWARDS, COMPETITIONS, EXAMINATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS 31

10 PRESS CONTACT 31

11 LOSS OR DAMAGE 31

12 SHOW RCA 31

13 STUDENT EXCHANGES 32

14 WITHDRAWAL OF PROGRAMMES OF STUDY OR CHANGES TO CONTENT

OF PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 32

15 SMOKING 32

16 CHILDREN IN COLLEGE PREMISES 32

17 BICYCLES 33

18 LIVE ANIMALS 33

19 STUDENTS’ UNION 33

20 STUDENT COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE 33

20.1 Principles for dealing with student complaints 33

20.2 What the complaints procedure covers 34

20.3 Anonymous complaints 34

20.4 Group complaints 34

20.5 Overlap of complaints and appeals 34

20.6 Complainant behaviour and vexatious complaints 35

20.7 General matters 35

20.8 Stage one: local resolution 35

20.9 Stage two: formal complaint 36

20.10 Stage three: review 37

20.11 External review 38

21 STUDENT APPEALS PROCEDURE 38

22 ADMISSION APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE 39

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22.1 Grounds for appeal 40

23 USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) FACILITIES 40

24 USE OF THE LIBRARY 42

Academic 44

Regulations 44

1 PRINCIPLES 45

1.1 The Standard of Awards 45

1.2 Aims and Objectives of Masters Programmes 45

1.3 Quality of Teaching 45

1.4 The Learning Environment 45

1.5 Validation and Review 45

1.6 Student Representation 46

1.7 Admission of Students 46

1.8 Assessment of Students 46

1.9 Design of Programmes of Study 46

2 MASTER OF ART DEGREES 47

2.1 Eligibility for Admission 47

2.2 Length of Programme 47

2.3 Standard of Award 47

2.4 Admissions Boards 48

2.5 Tutorial Support 49

2.6 Termination of Study 49

2.7 Transfer between Programmes of Study 49

2.8 Critical & Historical Studies 49

2.9 Professional Practice Programme 50

2.10 Interim Examination 50

2.11 External Examiners 50

2.12 Deferral of Examination 52

2.13 Final Examination 52

2.13.1 Final Examination Stage One - Final Examination Board 52

2.13.2 Final Examination Stage Two - School Examination Board 53

2.13.3 Internal Moderators 53

2.13.4 Responsibilities of Students 53

2.13.5 Responsibilities of the Boards 54

2.13.7 Conduct of Examinations 55

2.13.8 Appeals 55

3 DEGREE OF MASTER OF RESEARCH 55

3.1 DEGREE OF MASTER OF RESEARCH (COLLEGE-WIDE) 55

3.1.1 Eligibility for Registration 55

3.1.2 Length of Programme 56

3.1.3 Standard of Award 56

3.1.4 Admissions Boards 56

3.1.5 Tutorial Support 57

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3.1.6 Termination of Study 58

3.1.7 Transfer between Programmes of Study 58

3.1.8 Independent Research Project 58

3.1.9 Progress Review 58

3.1.10 External Examiners 59

3.1.11 Deferral of Examination 60

3.1.12 Requirements for Submission of Independent Research Project 60

3.1.13 Interim Examination 61

3.1.14 Final Examination 61

3.2 DEGREE OF MASTER OF RESEARCH HEALTHCARE & DESIGN 63

3.2.1 Eligibility for Registration 63

3.2.2 Length of Programme 63

3.2.3 Standard of Award 64

3.2.4 Admissions Boards 64

3.2.5 Tutorial Support 65

3.2.6 Termination of Study 65

3.2.7 Transfer between Programmes of Study 65

3.2.8 Research Project 65

3.2.9 Progress Review 66

3.2.10 External Examiners 66

3.2.11 Deferral of Examination 68

3.2.12 Requirements for Submission of Research Project 68

3.2.14.1 Final Examination Stage One - Final Examination Board 68

3.2.14.2 Final Examination Stage Two - School Examination Board 69

3.2.14.3 Internal Moderators 69

3.2.14.4 Responsibilities of Students 70

3.2.14.5 Responsibilities of the Boards 70

3.2.14.7 Conduct of Examinations 71

3.2.14.8 Appeals 72

4 DEGREE OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY 72

4.1 Eligibility for Registration 72

4.2 Registration Periods 72



4.5 Supervision and Attendance 75

4.6 Research Methods Course 75


4.7.2 Membership of Interim Examination Boards 76

4.8 Transfer Examination 77

4.9 Submission Requirements 78


4.11 Deferral of Examination 80


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4.13 Requirements for Copies of Final Submission 83

5 DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY 83

5.1 Eligibility for Registration 83

5.2 Registration Periods 83



5.5 Supervision and Attendance 86

5.6 Research Methods Course 86


5.8 Submission Requirements 88

5.9 Continuation Status 89



5.12 Requirement for Copies of Final Submission 93

6 HIGHER DOCTORATE 93


6.2 Application Procedure 93

6.3 Examination 94

Post Experience 95

Programmes 95

Policies & 97

Procedures 97

1 HEALTH AND SAFET Y POLICY 98

1.1 Health and Safety Policy Statement 98

1.2 Organisational Arrangements 99

1.3 Health and Safety Procedures 105

2 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY 110

2.1 Organisational Arrangements 110

3 MASTERS STUDENT CHARTER 111

3.1 Introduction 111

3.2 Learning 111

3.3 Feedback and Assessment 111

3.4 Resources 112

3.5 Student Engagement 112


3.7 Community 113

4 RESEARCH STUDENT CHARTER 114


4.2 Undertaking Research 114

4.3 Development and Progression 115

4.4 Resources 115

4.5 Student Engagement 116

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4.7 Community 117

5 DYSLEXIA POLICY 117

5.1 Policy statement 117

5.2 Background information 118

5.3 Dyslexia Support at the RCA 118

5.4 Financial assistance 119

5.5 Teaching strategies 120

5.6 Support for staff with Dyslexia 120

5.7 Information & Learning Services 120

5.8 Sources of information 120

6 COLLEGE POLICY ON HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE 121

7 DRUG AND ALCOHOL MISUSE POLICY 121

7.1 Illegal drugs 121

7.2 Alcohol 121

7.3 Personal support 121

7.4 The individual and the community 122

8 EQUALIT Y AND DIVERSIT Y POLICY 122

9 ANTI-BULLYING, HARASSMENT AND VICTIMISATION PROCEDURE - RIGHT TO RESPECT 125

10 CODE OF CONDUCT ON PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS 128

11 GUIDANCE ON RELIGION AND BELIEF 129

12 PUBLIC INTEREST WHISTLEBLOWING/PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE POLICY 130


12.2 Scope of the Policy 130

12.3 Safeguards 131

12.4 Procedure for Making a Disclosure 131

Senior College 133

Committees 133

In the Event 136

of a Fire 136

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Term Dates

T E R M DAT E S

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TERM DATES 2017−2018

Autumn Term 26 September 2016 – 16 December 2016 Spring Term 9 January 2017 – 31 March 2017 Summer Term 24 April 2017 – 30 June 2017

COLLEGE CLOSURES

Christmas 24 December 2016 − 3 January 2017 Easter 13 April 2017 − 18 April 2017 May Day 1 May 2017 Spring Bank Holiday 29 May 2017

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CollegeBuildings

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DARWIN BUILDING, KENSINGTON GORE, LONDON SW7 2EU

Rector Pro-Rector

Chief Operating Officer Director of Finance

Finance Human Resources Seminar Rooms Lecture Theatres College Shop Buildings & Estates

CH&Co Catering Office Counsellor Director of Development & Alumni Relations Development Office ReachOutRCA School of Architecture

Architecture; Interior Design; Architecture Research School of Design Design Interactions; Design Products; Global Innovation Design; Innovation Design Engineering; Vehicle Design; Service Design; Design Research

School of Material Fashion Menswear; Fashion Womenswear; Textiles

FRAYLING BUILDING

Director of Academic Development Academic Development Office Registry Library Audio-visual Services Director of Information, Learning & Technical Services English for Academic Purposes Coordinator Dyslexia Coordinator Student Support Office Students’ Union Office ArtBar RCAfé Senior Common Room

STEVENS BUILDING, 2–6 JAY MEWS, LONDON SW7 2EP

IT Services Digital Media Studios Research School of Communication Animation; Information Experience Design; Visual Communication School of Fine Art Drawing Studio

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School of Humanities Critical & Historical Studies; Critical Writing in Art & Design Curating Contemporary Art; V&A/RCA History of Design

22 JAY MEWS, LONDON SW7 2ES Communications & Marketing Safety, Health & Environmental Officer

15-25 HOWIE STREET, LONDON SW11 4AY School of Fine Art Sculpture; Foundry

SACKLER BUILDING 14–22 HOWIE STREET, LONDON SW11 4AY School of Fine Art Painting

UNIT 1 , 1-11 HOWIE STREET, LONDON SW11 4AS Moving Image Studio

DYSON BUILDING, BATTERSEA BRIDGE ROAD, SW11 4AS Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre InnovationRCA School of Fine Art Photography; Print; Performance

WOO BUILDING, 20 HOWIE STREET, LONDON SW11 4AS School of Material Ceramics & Glass; Jewellery & Metalwork

4 HESTER ROAD, LONDON SW11 4AN Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design

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MissionStatement

M IS S I O N S TAT E M E N T

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The College received its Royal Charter as an institution of university status in 1967 with the objects ‘to advance learning, knowledge and professional competence particularly in the fields of fine arts, in the principles and practice of art and design in their relation to industrial and commercial processes and social developments and other subjects relating thereto, through teaching, research and collaboration with industry and commerce’.

The College’s Mission Statement is as follows: ‘The Royal College of Art aims to achieve national and international standards of

excellence in the postgraduate and pre-/mid-professional education of artists and designers and related practitioners, as a major contributor to cultural, social and economic well-being. It aims to achieve these through the demonstrable quality of its teaching, research and practice and through its relationship with relevant institutions, industries and technologies and through the achievements and innovations of its graduates and staff in the professional worlds of art and design.’

In particular, the College aims to achieve these standards of excellence: • by fostering a high level of understanding of the principles and practices of art

and design, and their implementation in the wider world• by encouraging individual and collective creativity among staff and students• by recruiting students of proven ability and potential from the widest possible

range of backgrounds, and by providing pre-professional and post-experience study opportunities

• by continuously enhancing appropriate links, partnerships and collaborations with industries, professional bodies, cultural organisations and other educational institutions

• by exploring the innovative applications of technologies and processes to the disciplines of art and design

• by encouraging awareness of social and environmental developments insofar as they relate to art and design

• and through cooperation and partnership with other institutions.

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College Staff

C O L L EG E S TA F F

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1 OFFICERS OF THE COLLEGE Visitor: HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Provost: Sir James Dyson Pro-Provost: Baroness Rebuck of Bloomsbury Treasurer: Caragh Merrick

2 COLLEGE MANAGEMENT Rector: Dr Paul Thompson

Pro-Rector: Professor Naren Barfield Chief Operating Officer: Richard Benson

PA to the Rector: Judith Hall PA to the Pro-Rector: Kerry Royle

PA to the Chief Operating Officer: Rachael Stone

2.1 Research & Knowledge Exchange Director of Research & Innovation: Dr Emma Wakelin Head of Knowledge Exchange: Tatiana Schofield

Head of Research Development: Christie Walker Head of Research Programmes: Dr Catherine Dormor

Research Administrator: Carla Bull Visiting Professor: Professor Rachel Cooper

2.2 Information, Learning & Technical Services Director of Information, Learning and Technical Services: Dr Amanda Spencer Head of ICT: Jonathan Warner Head of Library Services: Darlene Maxwell Head of Technical Services: Abid Qayum

2.3 Registry Registrar: tba

Deputy Registrar (Information Systems): Jennifer Brown Senior Registry Administrator: Maria Ohlson

2.4 Academic Development Director of Academic Development: Corinne Smith PA to the Director of Academic Development: Lucy Quarry Head of the Academic Development Office: Chris Mitchell

Quality Enhancement Manager: John Melton Academic Quality Officer: James Perkins 2.5 Student Support Student Support Manager: John Gallally

International Student Adviser: Shelley Webster Student Adviser, Disability & Wellbeing: Delia Carruthers Student Support Adviser, Finance and Scholarships: Daniel Tasker Lead Counsellor: Julia Schumann Dyslexia Coordinator: Qona Rankin EAP Coordinator: Sian Lund

2.6 Finance Director of Finance: Amanda White Head of Finance: Roger Williamson

2.7 Human Resources Director of Human Resources: Margaret Bird

Assistant Director of Human Resources: Lorna Walker HR Manager: Bernadette Ovens


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2.8 Development Director of Development & Alumni Relations: Nina Cohen Bohn

Deputy Director of Development & Alumni Relations: Steve Corbett Principal Gifts Officer: Sarah McGee

2.9 Communications & Marketing Head of Communications & Marketing: Áine Duffy

Senior Publishing Manager: Octavia Reeve

2.10 Premises & Catering Director of Buildings & Estates: Richard Cartwright Safety, Health and Environmental Officer: Mike Alexander

Engineering Manager: Chris Pedgen Operations Manager: Errol Ali

3 STUDENTS’ UNION Co-president (Architecture & Design): Hannah Evans

Co-president (Communication & Humanities): Ailsa Sinclair Co-president (Fine Art & Material): Francesca Tamse

4 ACADEMIC STAFF

4.1 School of Architecture Dean of School: Dr Adrian Lahoud Visiting Professor: Hugh Pearman School General Manager: Momo Rahim

Architecture Head of Programme: Beth Hughes

Interior Design Head of Programme: Graeme Brooker

4.2 School of Communication Dean of School: Professor Neville Brody

Associate Dean of School: Professor Teal Triggs Research Leader: Tom Simmons Honorary Professor: Quentin Blake Visiting Professors: Stephen Quay School General Manager: tba

Animation Head of Programme: Dr Birgitta Hosea

Information Experience Design Head of Programme: Dr Kevin Walker

Visual Communication Head of Programme: Dr Rathna Ramanathan

4.3 School of Design Dean of School: Professor Dale Harrow

Research Leader: Dr Steven Boyd Davis Visiting Professors: J Mays, Dr Kenneth Grange, Kinya Tagawa, Gerry McGovern,

Sam Hecht School General Manager: tba


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Design Interactions Head of Programme: Professor Sharon Baurley (Acting)

Design Products Head of Programme: Professor Sharon Baurley

Healthcare & Design Head of Programme: Professor Ashley Hall

Innovation Design Engineering (MA/MSc awarded in conjuction with Imperial College London) Head of Programme: Professor Miles Pennington Deputy Head of Programme: Ashley Hall

Global Innovation Design (MA/MSc awarded in conjunction with Imperial College) Head of Programme: Dr Jonathan Edelman

Service Design Head of Programme: Dr Nick de Leon

Vehicle Design Head of Programme: Professor Dale Harrow

4.4 School of Fine Art Dean of School: Professor Juan Cruz

Visiting Professors: Oreet Ashery, Professor Carol Mavor, Katrina Palmer, Dr Uriel Orlow

School General Manager: Michael Turco

Contemporary Fine Art Practice Head of Programme: Dr Melanie Jordan

Painting Head of Programme: Professor David Rayson

Photography Head of Programme: Professor Olivier Richon

Print Head of Programme: Professor Jo Stockham

Sculpture Head of Programme: Jordan Baseman

4.5 School of Humanities Dean of School: Professor Jane Pavitt

Visiting Professor: Rick Poynor School General Manager: tba

Critical & Historical Studies Head of Programme: Joe Kerr

Critical Writing in Art & Design


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Head of Programme: Professor David Crowley

Curating Contemporary Art Head of Programme: Professor Victoria Walsh

History of Design (joint course with V&A) Head of Programme: Dr Sarah Teasley

4.6 School of Material Dean of School: Professor Judith Mottram

Visiting Professors: Simon Foxton, Iain Webb School Research Leader: Peter Oakley School General Manager: tba

Ceramics & Glass Head of Programme (Acting): Felicity Aylieff; Rod Bamford (from January 2017)

Jewellery & Metal Head of Programme: Professor Hans Stofer

Fashion Menswear Head of Programme: Zowie Broach

Fashion Womenswear Head of Programme: Zowie Broach

Textiles Head of Programme: Anne Toomey

4.7 Research: MRes Royal College of Art Head of Programme: Dr Catherine Dormor Architecture Pathway Lead: Dr Sam Jacoby Communication Design Pathway Lead: Professor Teal Triggs Design Pathway Lead: Professor Ashley Hall Fine Art Pathway Lead: tbc Humanities Pathway Lead: Professor Jane Pavitt

4.8 Research Centres

InnovationRCA Director: Dr Nadia Danhash

Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design Director: Dr Rama Gheerawo Senior Research Fellows: Dr Jo-Anne Bichard, Ed Matthews

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General Regulations

G E N E R A L R EG U L AT I O N S

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1 REGISTRATION Only when he or she has accepted the formal offer of a place from the Registrar and

has paid the appropriate fees and fulfilled the conditions of that offer, will an applicant be permitted to register as a student of the College. Registration takes place in the first four days of the autumn term. A student who does not register by this time may lose his or her place. A student must inform the Registry of any subsequent changes in his or her particulars given in the Registration Form.

2 FEES The level of fees is set annually by the College Council. The fees for new full-time

Master of Art and PhD students in 2016/17 are as follows:• UK and EU students £9,500 per annum • Channel Islands and Isle of Man students £12,950 per annum• Overseas students (non-EU) £28,400 per annum

The fees for students registered for a period of continuation status are as follows: • £500 per term

The fees for deferral or referral following final examination are as follows: • £500 per term

The fees for MRes 2016/2017 are as follows:• Home/EU: £14,250• Overseas: £42,600

The fees for Post Experience Programme (PEP) students are as follows: • for a full academic year £28,400 plus costs of materials and special tuition • for shorter periods a proportionate fee will be applied.

Examination fees:• PhD degree £200 • Higher doctorate £3,000• Master’s degree £nil

Any student intending to withdraw from the College must give at least one term’s notice in writing to the Registrar after consulting with his or her dean of school or head of programme, or pay the normal fees for one term in lieu of notice. Refunds for periods of absence will not normally be made. Any withdrawal from the College will require the payment of a £50 handling fee.

No student will be allowed to undertake his or her Final Examination or to install their work and exhibit in the Show until he or she has discharged all his or her financial obligations to the College. No student will be able to graduate from the College until all learning resources and equipment have been returned.

3 REGULATIONS Students and staff are required to comply with the provisions of the Charter,

Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the College. These Regulations, the Health and Safety Policy and Code of Practice may from time to time be amended or varied as the College may direct, notice of which shall be posted on the appropriate notice-boards throughout the College and on the College website and such amendments or variations shall be deemed to have immediate and binding effect upon their publication.


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4 ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE

4.1 Attendance Students are expected to attend regularly and punctually and to be present at all

lectures, seminars, tutorials and other appointments as directed by their head of programme. A student must obtain written prior approval from his or her head of programme for absence from the College for any reason. Failure to do so may lead to the termination of a student’s programme of study.

A student who is absent through illness must notify his or her head of programme. If a student is away for more than three days, a medical certificate will be required. If a student is away for more than ten days (or sooner if appropriate) Occupational Health, Imperial College, should be informed. Applications for absence on compassionate grounds must in all cases be made to the head of programme for approval by the Chair of the Academic Board for Concessions and Discipline (ABCD). Unauthorised absence of more than ten days must be reported to ABCD.

Students holding a Tier 4 visa are required to follow the policy on regular attendance set by the Home Office. Programme staff have to report any unauthorised non-attendance to the Registry who in turn are legally required to report this to the Home Office. Non-attendance reported to the Home Office will lead to the Tier 4 visa being curtailed and the right to stay in the UK revoked.

The course of study must normally be pursued full-time at the College. If it is proposed that a student takes study leave for more than 21 days during term time, permission must be obtained from the ABCD.

During a period of study leave a student’s registration continues and tuition fees

remain payable.

4.2 Leave of Absence A student may apply to the head of programme for leave of absence on the

following grounds:• ill-health of the student• maternity leave• childcare responsibilities• serious ill-health of partner or close relative• the exceptional opportunity to undertake an external project or employment

related to the student’s academic work• financial hardship• specific extenuating circumstances as agreed with the programme.

The head of programme will decide upon the merits of the application and make a recommendation to the ABCD. Leave of absence is normally restricted to a maximum of one year for a full-time student or five terms for a part-time student. While on leave of absence the individual is not considered to be a student of the College. Students who are granted leave of absence will be re-examined before returning to the College. Each person seeking to return from a period of leave of absence should write a statement of his or her intentions for his or her work on return to the College. Following a meeting with the student, the re-examination board, which should have the same membership structure as an Interim Examination Board, will decide whether the statement of intentions provides a suitable basis for return to study. If the reason for leave of absence was the ill-health of the student, return must be subject to the agreement of Occupational Health, Imperial College.


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4.3 Paid employment No student may undertake any form of continuous regular paid employment outside

the College during term time if this conflicts with the commitments of his or her programme of study or be registered with any other institution without first obtaining permission from his or her head of programme.

4.4 Registatration No student may be registered with any other institution whilst registered at the

College without first obtaining permission from his or her head of programme.

4.5 Aegrotat A student may be considered for the award of an Aegrotat degree if he or she is

absent for medical reasons from any part of the final examination. A student may be eligible for an Aegrotat under the following provisions:• The student must have paid all College fees due.• An application for consideration for the award of an Aegrotat degree must be made

to the head of programme accompanied by a medical certificate or other statement of the grounds on which the application is made.

• The Examination Board will consider the body of work which has been completed together with records of the student’s performance and progress during the programme of study, in order to determine whether the evidence demonstrates that the student would clearly have reached a standard of qualifying him or her for the award of the appropriate degree under normal circumstances.

If on the recommendation of the Examination Board the Aegrotat degree is conferred

upon a student, he or she will not be eligible thereafter to re-enter for examination for the degree.

5 CONDUCT

5.1 Student Discipline

5.1.1 It shall be an offence under these Regulations for a student by his or her conduct or activities to prejudice the good order and discipline of the College, either in the premises owned or occupied by the College, or elsewhere.

5.1.2 Academic misconduct, including the offence of plagiarism, is dealt with separately under Regulation 6.1.

5.1.3 In particular, but without prejudice to the generality of 5.1.1, it shall be an offence for any student by his or her conduct wilfully to disrupt teaching, study, research, examinations, or the administration of the College, or to obstruct staff of the College or any other authorised representative of it in the performance of his or her duties, or to damage or deface any property of, or in the custody of, the College, or wilfully to harm any student, member of staff, or other employee, authorised representative of the College or authorised visitor to the College.

5.2 Misconduct The following shall (subject to the above) constitute misconduct:

1 disruption of, or improper interference with, the academic, administrative, social or other activities of the College, whether on College premises or elsewhere;

2 obstruction of, or improper interference with, the functions, duties or activities of any student, member of staff or other employee, authorised representative of the College or authorised visitor to the College;

3 violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening or offensive behaviour or language whilst on College premises or engaged in any College activity;


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4 fraud, deceit, deception or dishonesty in relation to the College, or in relation to being a student of the College;

5 action likely to cause injury or impair the health or safety on College premises of any student, member of staff or other employee, authorised representative of the College or authorised visitor to the College;

6 harassment of any student, member of staff or other employee, authorised representative of the College or authorised visitor to the College;

7 damage to, or defacement of, College property or the property of any student, member of staff or other employee, authorised representative of he College or authorised visitor to the College caused intentionally or recklessly, or misappropriation of such property;

8 misuse or unauthorised use of College premises or items of property, learning resources or materials, including computer misuse;

9 any other conduct which constitutes a criminal offence where that conduct takes place on College premises;

10 failure to comply with a previously-imposed penalty under these Regulations.

5.3 Action to be taken in the event of alleged misconduct

5.3.1 Prompt and informal resolution should always be sought for minor infringements. deans or heads of programme should, where possible, seek early resolution without resource to the disciplinary procedure described below. An informal resolution will seek to rectify a problem that has arisen but will not be intended to punish the student. Suitable informal resolution led by the student’s dean or head of programme may include:1 successful mediation between students, or students and staff;2 righting a wrong by paying for damage;3 apologising to those affected by inappropriate behaviour;4 agreement to certain standards of behaviour in the future;5 agreement to seek a medical assessment or advice from the College’s support

services if appropriate.

5.3.2 In cases of misconduct that is not considered by the student’s dean to be a minor infringement, the circumstances should be reported to the Chief Operating Officer.

5.3.3 On the basis of the information provided the Chief Operating Officer may decide that there is no case to answer or, if he or she has reason to believe that misconduct has been committed, he or she shall have the power to take no further action in the matter, to reprimand a student, to deliver a warning, or to refer the case to a Disciplinary Committee.

5.3.4 In the event of the Chief Operating Officer administering a reprimand or warning, he or she shall do so in writing. If the student wishes to dispute the decision of the Chief Operating Officer he/she may request that the case be referred to a Disciplinary Committee.

5.3.5 In cases requiring immediate action in order to protect any student, member of staff or other employee, authorised representative of the College or authorised visitor to the College, the student may be suspended temporarily under Ordinance 9 of the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances 2011 until such time as a Disciplinary Committee can be convened.

5.3.6 Suspension shall involve a total prohibition on attendance at or access to the College and on any participation in College activities; but it may be subject to qualification, such as permission to attend for the purpose of an examination.


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5.4 Misconduct that is a criminal offence

5.4.1 Where the alleged misconduct would constitute an offence under the criminal or civil law if proved in a court of law, action under these Regulations may continue but may, at the discretion of the Chief Operating Officer, be deferred pending the outcome of any police investigation or prosecution.

5.5 Disciplinary Committee

5.5.1 A Disciplinary Committee shall comprise:• the Chief Operating Officer or one other member of the Senior Management Team

nominated by the Chief Operating Officer, (chair);• one head of programme;• a representative of the Student Support Office, Academic Development Office or

Registry, nominated by the Registrar.

5.5.2 No one shall serve on the Disciplinary Committee who is from the same programme as the student.

5.5.3 All must be present to form a quorum.

5.5.4 The student will be given at least seven days’ notice in writing of the date of the disciplinary hearing. At the hearing the student may be accompanied by a Students’ Union representative or a student or member of staff of the College.

5.5.5 A student who is unable to attend the disciplinary hearing for good reason may seek a postponement of the hearing. If the student fails to attend without good reason the Disciplinary Committee may, at the discretion of the Chair, proceed with the hearing in the student’s absence.

5.5.6 Having reviewed the evidence assembled and the response (if any) from the student, the Disciplinary Committee shall determine one of the following:1 that there is no case to answer and dismiss the case;2 that there is evidence of student misconduct and impose a penalty as permitted

under these Regulations.

5.6 Penalties which may be imposed by a disciplinary committee

5.6.1 The following penalties may be ordered by a Disciplinary Committee:1 no further action (the allegation of misconduct is upheld but no additional

penalties are considered to be warranted);2 a reprimand;3 apologising to those affected by inappropriate behaviour;4 a written warning and/or requirement to give a written undertaking as to future

conduct;5 payment of a sum determined by the Director of Finance, not exceeding the cost

thereof, for the repair of damage caused by, or the defrayal of other expenses arising from, the misconduct;

6 suspension from the College or from premises owned or occupied by the College for a stated period under the terms set out in Ordinance 9 of the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances 2011;

7 permanent exclusion from the College under the terms set out in Ordinance 9 of the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances 2011.

5.6.2 The Disciplinary Committee shall also have the power to impose combinations of the above penalties.


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5.6.3 The Disciplinary Committee may order that the measures agreed will be imposed immediately or that the imposition will be deferred. The conditions of any such deferment shall be clearly stated as part of the decision of the Committee.

5.7 Appeals

5.7.1 A student may appeal against the decision of or penalty imposed by a Disciplinary Committee, in which case an Appeals Committee will be convened.

5.7.2 The notification of appeal must be sent to the Chief Operating Officer within fourteen days of the communication of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee.

5.7.3 The only grounds on which an appeal will be considered are:1 that there were procedural irregularities in the conduct of the Disciplinary

Committee;2 that the student is in possession of new evidence which was not available to the

Committee when it reached its decision and the student had good cause for not including the evidence in their case to the Committee;

3 that the penalty was unreasonably severe given the circumstances of the case.

5.8 Appeals Committee

5.8.1 An Appeals Committee shall comprise three members: the Rector or one other member of the Senior Management Team nominated by the Rector (chair);• the Chief Operating Officer or one other member of the Senior Management Team

nominated by the Chief Operating Officer, (chair);• one head of programme;• a representative of the Student Support Office, Academic Development Office or

Registry, nominated by the Registrar.

5.8.2 No member of the Appeals Committee shall have served on the Disciplinary Committee or be from the same programme as the student concerned.

5.8.3 All must be present to form the quorum.

5.8.4 The student will be given at least seven days’ notice in writing of the date of the appeals hearing. At the hearing the student may be accompanied by a Students’ Union representative or a student or member of staff of the College.

5.9 Petition to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator

5.9.1 If dissatisfied with the decision of the Appeals Committee a student may appeal to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, which is an independent agency established to consider complaints from students. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator will only consider a petition once the College’s own internal procedures have been exhausted. In order to submit an appeal to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator a student must obtain a letter of completion of procedures from the office of the Registrar.

6 ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

6.1 Definition Academic Misconduct refers to any form of academic cheating. This is a serious

matter. Cheating may result in failure. Examples of academic misconduct include:• plagiarism (presenting the work of others as if it were your own)• submitting material downloaded from the Internet


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• commissioning another person to produce a piece of work on your behalf (contract cheating)

• colluding with others (including translators, friends or family who work with you unacknowledged) to submit work which is not your own.

• submission of written work which has been translated into English by another person.

Plagiarism is defined as stealing another person’s words or ideas and using them as though they were your own. Some examples include:

writing – e.g. copying from a textbook, journal article, thesis, essay or website without providing adequate reference to the author

artefacts – e.g. reproducing original artwork, designs, film, sound or performance and presenting them as though they were your own

data – e.g. copying someone else’s programme, database, web page or multimedia presentation without acknowledging the creator.

Students are strongly advised to retain copies of drafts produced while preparing assessed work, as this will be of assistance in demonstrating that the work is their own.

6.2 Procedure to be adopted in the event of alleged academic misconduct Where a member of staff, or a student, suspects academic misconduct he or she

should report the suspicion to the head of programme in which the work was conducted. The head of programme will inform the student, in writing, of the allegation of academic misconduct and conduct an investigation including discussing the matter with the student. The head of programme will consider the results of the investigation. Where the head of programme concludes that academic misconduct has not taken place, no further action will be taken. Where the head of programme considers that academic misconduct has taken place he or she will determine a course of action based upon the severity of the alleged misconduct.

6.2.1 Minor misconduct Where the head of programme considers that a minor breach of the Regulations has

taken place, he or she may exercise discretion to address the matter through tutorial advice and support for the student.

6.2.2 Serious misconduct

6.2.2.1 Where the head of programme considers that a serious breach of the Regulations has taken place, he or she will complete a written report and submit it to the Registrar, together with the evidence.

6.2.2.2 The Registrar will consider the report and evidence and determine an appropriate course of action, based upon the severity of the allegation: • If the Registrar considers that there is insufficient evidence for the case

to go forward to an Inquiry Panel, the student will be informed, in writing, that the case has been closed. The report, evidence and any correspondence in relation to the case will be kept as a record.

• If the student had readily admitted to a breach of the Regulations during the investigation phase, the Registrar will make a recommendation to the Examination Board on the severity of the misconduct and an appropriate penalty.

• If the student contests an allegation of academic misconduct during the investigation phase, or an admitted breach of the Regulations is serious and there is sufficient evidence for the Inquiry Panel to consider the case, the Registrar will convene an Inquiry Panel Hearing. The Registrar will inform the student in writing, giving details of the arrangements for the Hearing. The letter will include full details of the allegation, including the head of programme’s written report and evidence.


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6.3 Inquiry panel hearing

6.3.1 The membership of the Inquiry Panel will be the Registrar (Chair) and a head of programme not involved in the case.

6.3.2 The student will be given at least one week’s notice of the Hearing. If, once arrangements have been agreed, the student fails to attend on the agreed time and date, or if the student fails to respond to all reasonable attempts to make arrangements, the Hearing may take place in the absence of the student.

6.3.3 All members of the Inquiry Panel and the student will be sent copies of the head of programme’s report, the supporting evidence and the Academic Misconduct Procedure.

6.3.4 The student will be invited to present his/her case before the Inquiry Panel. At the Hearing the student may be accompanied by a Students’ Union representative or other member of the College and shall be enabled to call witnesses and produce documents. The Inquiry Panel shall call the head of programme and other relevant witnesses to answer questions.

6.3.5 After consideration of all the evidence available, the Inquiry Panel may make one of the following decisions:• Where the Panel is not satisfied that misconduct has taken place, the student will

be informed in writing and a copy of the letter kept as a record.• Where the Panel is satisfied that misconduct has taken place, it will make a

recommendation to the Examination Board on the severity of the misconduct and an appropriate penalty. Depending on the severity of the academic misconduct the normal recommendation would be referral or failure. The student will be informed in writing and a copy of the letter will be kept as a record.

7 RIGHTS IN STUDENTS’ WORK

7.1 The rights, property and title in and to and the copyright, design rights, patent rights, performing rights, rental rights and all other rights of a like or similar nature anywhere in the world the intellectual propert rights (IPR) in all work in any dimension, form, or medium howsoever and whatsoever executed or produced by the student in the course of his or her studies or deriving therefrom (the Work) is hereby assigned to and owned by the College absolutely.

7.2 The student acknowledges, having prior to his or her acceptance of a place at the College accepted the terms and conditions of offer thereof, that the work shall be owned by and vested in the College absolutely.

7.3 For the avoidance of doubt, the ownership by the College of the Work and the IPR in the Work shall enable the College in its absolute discretion, subject to these terms and conditions, to exploit the Work in any manner whatsoever including without limitation the right to sell, license, distribute, rent, copy, use, translate, convert into electronic form, exhibit, transmit and perform the Work.

7.4 In respect of students enrolled on the Animation programme, the College has the right to be able to exploit commercially Works produced by such students. Further, in respect of students taking other courses, the College may seek each year to exploit commercially selected items of such students’ Work. In such cases (together known as ‘Selected Works’) the College will enter into an arrangement with each relevant student regarding the costs involved and sharing of any profit arising from the commercial exploitation of such Selected Work. The Selected Work and IPR in the Selected Works will remain the property of the College until such time as they may be re-assigned to the relevant student subject to Regulation 7.11. Subject to the continuing right to use the Work for non-exclusive educational and promotional


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purposes and to honour continuing agreements, the rights in the Work will be assigned to the student on on request five years after graduating from the Animation programme. Animation graduates should contact the programme after five years to request the transfer of rights.

7.5 In all cases where the Work has not been selected by the College for commercial exploitation pursuant to Regulations 7.4 and 7.7 the IPR in that Work is hereby re-assigned to the student subject to Regulation 7.11, such assignment to become effective as soon as he or she ceases to be a member of the College. (For these purposes a student shall be deemed to cease to be a member of the College on 31 July in the year of his or her graduation. If a student withdraws from the College prior to graduation the re-assignment of rights shall become effective from the date of withdrawal.)

7.6 Each student warrants and undertakes to the College that he or she:• has arrived at his or her own Work independently without having copied the work of

or infringed the rights vested in any third party• will not at any time carry out work other than the Work on College premises nor use

College materials or equipment for himself or herself or for any third party on private commission

• will, until such time as rights in the Work are re-assigned to him or her, keep secret and confidential all information supplied by, through or to the College in connection with or devised during the course of any project carried out at the College by any member of it including the student and in particular third-party information supplied to the student and used in whole or in part for the Work

• will not, until such time as rights in the Work are re-assigned to him or her, without the written permission of the Rector or Chief Operating Officer and the student’s head of programme (such permission not to be unreasonably withheld) demonstrate or present the Work or pass it off as belonging to him or her, include it in any portfolio of other work or otherwise disclose or publish it for any purpose

• will not at any time represent to a third party that he or she has authority to bind the College to any course of action

• will immediately or at the earliest possible opportunity bring to the notice of any third party with whom he or she is authorised to deal hereunder the whole of the terms of this Regulation and agrees and accepts that he or she does not otherwise have any express or implied authority to act on behalf of the College

• is on notice that breach by him or her of any term of this Regulation will, while he or she is a member of the College, lead to disciplinary proceedings and render him or her liable in damages to the College and possibly a third party

• will, if his or her Work is a Selected Work, sign and execute all necessary documents to enable the College to protect or deal in the Work and IPR and hereby irrevocably appoints the College Chief Operating Officer as his or her attorney and irrevocably authorises the Chief Operating Officer to sign in his or her place any documents or any things to give effect to this provision and those of Regulations 6.1 to 6.5 upon his or her failure for any reason to comply with such request

• will, until such time as the rights in the Work are re-assigned to him or her, at the request of the College, place the Work in such a place at such times with such persons for such purposes as the College shall direct

• will, in the event that the College has no wish to retain or exploit the Work, at its request take away any Work at the end of his or her course of study and if requested by the College pay to it a sum of money sufficient to cover its reasonable costs of providing labour, materials and the use of its facilities to him or her for the purposes of creating the Work.

7.7 The student warrants and undertakes that he or she will, if so requested while he or she is a member of the College, place the Work in the College Collection where it may, if the College wishes, be permanently retained.

7.8 The College may, if the Work is not required for the College Collection or if it is not to be commercially exploited under the arrangements described in Regulation 7.4 above


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and if rights in the Work have not yet been re-assigned to the student, agree upon the sale of the work to a third party. On any such sale the proceeds received will be shared in the proportions 85 per cent to the student and 15 per cent to the Student Fund, which is for the welfare of students.

7.9 For the avoidance of doubt, the Work and IPR in any such Work shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Regulation 7.5 above, remain vested in the College for so long as the Work remains in the College Collection, following which such rights are hereby re-assigned to the student subject to Regulation 7.11, such assignment to take effect when the College notifies the student of the Work’s release from the College Collection.

7.10 The College hereby acknowledges that nothing in these Regulations shall be deemed to limit the rights conferred on the student by Part IV (Moral Rights) of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

7.11 Any re-assignment of IPR in the Work to the student shall take effect subject to a non-exclusive, irrevocable and perpetual, payment-free, worldwide licence hereby granted to the College by the student to do (and authorise others to do) in relation to copies or images of the Work any act restricted by the IPR in it for any purpose associated with promoting the College, its activities, its students or their Work and preserving the College’s and its students’ Work.

8 COPYRIGHT Students are reminded that it is an infringement of copyright to:

• copy the whole or a substantial part of anyone else’s original work, which includes the copying of paintings, drawings, photographs (even photographs in a book or newspaper), soundtracks, films, broadcasts and clothing

• copy a single frame of film, show a film or play a sound recording in public without the permission of the copyright owner.

This remains the case even when the work is subsequently adapted by the student. Any infringement of copyright is the student’s responsibility and the College cannot accept liability for any such infringement.

9 OUTSIDE AWARDS, COMPETITIONS, EXAMINATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS Students are expected to inform their head of programme and to seek his

or her approval before exhibiting any College work or entering any competitions or examinations.

10 PRESS CONTACT Students are not permitted to have any contact with the press on College matters

without the prior approval of the Communications and Marketing Department.

11 LOSS OR DAMAGE The College accepts no liability for loss of property from any part of the College

premises. Any student causing loss or damage to College property or equipment, either within or outside the College, will be required to make good such loss or damage in whole or in part, to the satisfaction of the College.

12 SHOW RCA Students completing the final year of their programme of study are expected to

exhibit their work in the annual ShowRCA (the Show). No student will be allowed to


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undertake his or her Final Examination or to install their work and exhibit in the Show until he or she has discharged all his or her financial obligations to the College. No student will be able to graduate from the College until all learning resources and equipment have been returned. The actual work to be shown must have been submitted for the Final Examination and must be agreed by the head of programme for exhibition. All such work must have been produced as part of the student’s studies at the College. No unfinished work may be exhibited. Any work that is construed by the Rector or his representative as dangerous, likely to cause damage to the College premises or be an environmental hazard will not be permitted in the Show. No live creatures may be included within any exhibition. Students are required to provide images/information for the Show catalogue by the published deadlines.

13 STUDENT EXCHANGES The College has arrangements for the exchange of students with institutions within

the United Kingdom and abroad. Any enquiry should be directed in the first instance to the student’s head of programme.

14 WITHDRAWAL OF PROGRAMMES OF STUDY OR CHANGES TO CONTENT OF PROGRAMMES OF STUDY

While the College will make every effort to provide the programmes of study set out in the on-line Prospectus, the College reserves the right to withdraw programmes and to change the title, content and staffing of a programme, as might prove necessary, without prior warning.

15 SMOKING

15.1 Under the health act 2006 smoking is illegal in certain wholly or substantially enclosed premises which are places of work or open to the public. It is an offence to smoke in no smoking premises or to knowingly permit smoking in no smoking premises.

15.2 Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is prohibited in all College buildings and premises with the exception of the Students’ Union Terrace and SCR Terrace on the Kensington Campus and the Sculpture Building Courtyard on the Battersea Campus.

15.3 Smoking is also prohibited at entrances to College buildings and the Sculpture and Sackler yards and is only allowed a reasonable distance away for the building (at least three metres) to ensure that tobacco smoke does not enter the building via the doors and windows.

15.4 Smoking is not permitted within vehicles owned or operated by the College.

16 CHILDREN IN COLLEGE PREMISES The College welcomes children, when accompanied by their parent or carer, to many

spaces in the Kensington and Battersea campuses including:• College galleries when they are open to the public for exhibitions or events

(but not during the set up or take down of exhibitions) • Catering facilities: including the main canteen and student union RCafe in

Kensington and the students’ union Cafe Royale (Sculpture Buildings) and Riverside, Cafe (Dyson Building) The library: when dropping off or collecting books

Children are not normally allowed in higher risk technical areas including workshops, laboratories and other process rooms. Children are only permitted in these areas for College approved activities such as open days and educational visits, provided that


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suitable arrangements are made to ensure their health and safety.

Children are allowed into other lower risk work areas, for example, the studio space of their parent or carer who is a student, of the office of their parent or carer who is a member of staff, for occasional, short duration visits. In such circumstances the bringing of children into these areas should be at the discretion of a senior member of staff and approval should be given in advance. Before children are brought into these work areas an assessment should be carried out to ensure that any health and safety risks are adequately controlled. This should include any risks on the route to work and any risks, such as elevated noise levels, arising from adjacent areas.

Children are the responsibility of their parent or carer at all times on College premises.

17 BICYCLES Bicycles are not permitted in any College building and should be locked to the

external bicycle racks. Fold up bicycles are permitted but should be folded before they are brought into College buildings and safetly stored.If a bicycle is to be used in an academic project then permission must be obtained from the head of programme for the bicycle to be brought into the College.

18 LIVE ANIMALS Live animals/ pets (except guide dogs) are not permitted in College buildings.

19 STUDENTS’ UNION The College has a Students’ Union. All students are members of the Students’ Union

but retain the right to terminate their membership at any point during their time at the RCA. Alumni are associate members of the Students’ Union.

20 STUDENT COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

20.1 Principles for dealing with student complaints

20.1.1 For the purpose of this procedure a complaint is defined as an expression of dissatisfaction by one or more students about an action, or lack of action, on the part of the College; or about the standard of service provided by or on behalf of the College. The College has separate and clearly defined procedures for considering student complaints and academic appeals (for academic appeals see 21).

20.1.2 The College is committeed to the provision of the highest quality student experience; students are encouraged to raise matters of concern with the person responsible as soon as they arise. In circumstances where local resolution has not been possible, students may, without fear of discrimination or disadvantage, make a formal complaint by following the complaints procedure.

20.1.3 The College will make every effort to resolve student complaints quickly and locally, and with sensitivity and discretion. It is important to note that complaints will not always produce the outcome preferred by the complainant. There may be a number of reasons for this, including lack of evidence to substantiate the complaint, or the fact that circumstances beyond the College’s control may have affected the level of service provided. Whatever the decision, students will be informed of the outcome of the complaint in writing and will be provided with reasons for that outcome.

20.1.4 Stage 1 (local resolution) complaints from registered students and from those on approved leave of absence must normally be received within 3 months of the relevant event/s.

20.1.5 Complaints from former students must normally be recieved within two months of graduation or the termination of registration. If the complaint is submitted later than

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this it may be considered if there is evidence of a valid reason why the complaint could not be submitted sooner.

20.1.6 Anonymised monitoring and summary data on complaints (Stages 1, 2 and 3) will be reported annually to the Senior Management Team, Academic Standards Committee, Senate and the Council to ensure that information gathered is used to enhance processes and procedures and to improve the student experience.

20.2 What the complaints procedure covers The following list is not exhaustive but indicates the types of complaint covered by

the complaints procedure:• misleading or incorrect information in the online prospectus or other promotional

material; • failure by the College to meet obligations including those outlined in the MA

Student Charter, research handbook or programme handbooks; • academic complaints such as concerns about programme delivery, administration,

teaching or feedback including, where applicable, that are provided by a parter institution. Students at a partner institution studying for an RCA validated award who wish to make a complaint must, in the first instance, use the complaints procedure of the partner institution.

• complaints about a member of staff or another student/s.• poor quality of facilities or learning resources• complaints relating to non-academic or professional services including other

organisations or contractors providing a service on behalf of the College. • complaints about bullying, harrassment or discrimmination

A request for a review of a decision of an Examination Board regarding student progression, assessment and award is defined as an academic appeal and is dealt with under the academic appeals procedure (see 21).

20.3 Anonymous complaints Complaints raised anonymously are not normally considered. Exceptionally, however,

an anonymous complaint may be considered at the discretion of the Pro-Rector when there is a compelling reason, supported by evidence, for the matter to be investigated. Students should be aware that raising a concern anonymously could impede the investigation and communication of the outcome.

20.4 Group complaints If more than one student wishes to submit a complaint about the same issue, the

group must: • Nominate one member of the group, to whom the College should respond and who

will inform the rest of the group as to the progress and outcome of the complaint;• enclose a list of the names and unique student numbers of all students who are

party to the submission of the complaint.

The College may decide, where the circumstances and impact of the substance of the complaints differ between members of the group, to investigate stage 2 complaints separately and/ or to propose different remedies. In such cases the complainants will be given reasons for the decision.

20.5 Overlap of complaints and appeals

If an academic appeal and complaint relating substantially to the same issue are


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submitted, the appeal will not be dealt with until the complaint outcome has been determined. The complaint outcome will inform consideration of the appeal.

20.6 Complainant behaviour and vexatious complaints The College is committed to considering matters of proper concern raised by

students in an appropriate manner. Students should ensure that their conduct during the progress of a complaint is reasonable and constructive, allowing the opportunity for resolution. A complaint deemed to be vexatious will be referred to the Chief Operating Officer who will make a decision on whether the complaint may proceed.

A complaint may be deemed to be vexatious when, on its own, or in the context of other complaints or communications from the same individual when it:• clearly does not have any serious purpose or value; • is designed to cause disruption or annoyance;• has the effect of harassing members of the College stafff;• can otherwise fairly be characterised as obsessive or manifestly unreasonable.

A complaint will not be deemed vexatious simply because it is complex, or causes inconvenience or expense.

The decision to deem a complaint vexatious will be given in writing, together with

reasons for the decision and the evidence considered in reaching the decision. The complainant will be issued with a Completion of Procedures letter by the office of the Chief Operating Officer within two weeks of being informed of the decision. The Completion of Procedures letter will confirm that internal procedures have been completed; list the issues rasied and the outcome and inform the complainant of his or her right to submit a complaint to the Office of the Indepedent Adjudicator and the deadline for doing so.

20.7 General matters

20.7.1 If a student intiates legal proceedings against the College, any complaint will be paused until those proceedings have been completed.

20.7.2 Students will have the right to be accompanied, assisted or represented by another member of the College (a student, a member of the College staff, or an elected officer of the Students’ Union) at any stage of the complaints procedure.

20.7.3 If a complaint is made against an individual, that individual will have the right to be accompanied, assisted or represented by another member of the College in any related investigation.

20.7.4 Privacy and confidentiality will be maintained in the handling of complaints except where disclosure is necessary to progress the matter, where there is a statutory duty to report, or for the safety of others. It is the College’s expectation that the confidentiality of any documentation generated by a complaint will be respected by all parties.

20.8 Stage one: local resolution

20.8.1 Students are advised to seek the support of the Students’ Union and/or Student Support Office who will advise on how to deal with problems as they arise and, where possible, mediate between the parties concerned to seek a swift resolution.

20.8.2 Stage 1 complaints should be raised with the students’ Personal Tutor or Supervisor, or if the Personal Tutor or Supervisor is the subject of the complaint, with the head of


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programme. The complainant should complete a Stage 1 Complaint form (available on space). A Stage 1 Complaint Form must be raised within three months of the relevant event/s.

20.8.3 The member of staff receiving the complaint is responsible for investigating the complaint and for reporting the outcome to the student in writing. If responsibility for the issue raised lies in the staff member’s area of work, every attempt should be made to resolve the concern at source in consultation with the student. If responsibility lies elsewhere, the staff member should liaise with the relevant area to facilitate swift resolution rather than simply passing the student onto another area of the College.

20.8.4 If the student remains dissatisfied with the response to the complaint at Stage 1, of if matters have not been resolved within four weeks of raising the complaint, students may progress the complaint to Stage 2: formal complaint.

20.8.5 Although students should normally make every effort to resolve difficulties locally through Stage 1 before submitting a formal complaint, complaints may in any event be moved to Stage 2, at the discretion of the student’s dean of school, where issues of serious or urgent concern are raised which immediately require detailed investigation, for example, complaints involving a threat of serious harm; cases where the impact of the issues raised has detrimental consequences for the student’s mental health or where the student displays considerable distress; complaints relating to disability support; issues of serious and repeated service failure and/or significant delay; or issues of a highly sensitive nature.

20.9 Stage two: formal complaint

20.9.1 Where it has not been possible to resolve matters at Stage 1, students should submit a Stage 2 Complaint Form (available on Space) to the dean of school.

20.9.2 If the complaint is submitted on behalf of a group of students, the complaint should be submitted to the dean of school of the nominated student representative (see 20.4).

20.9.3 A Stage 2 complaint should normally be submitted within five months of the relevant event/s. Complaints received later than this may be considered at the discretion of the dean of school if the complainant can provide evidence that he or she was unable ot submit a complaint, for medical or other valid reason, within the required period.

20.9.4 To enable the complaint to be properly investigated it is essential that students are specific as to the cause and nature of the complaint. Students should detail what attempts have been made to resolve the complaint, the outcome of the Stage 1 complaint and the remedy sought. Students should expect to recieve an acknowledgement of the complaint within 5 working days.

20.9.5 The dean will establish a Complaint Hearing to investigate the Stage 2 complaint. If the dean has already been involved in the Stage 1 complaint a dean from another school should be invited to hear the complaint.

20.9.6 The Complaint Hearing will comprise:• a dean, chair;• a head of programme who is not from the same School as the complainant;• a member of the Academic Development Office, Registry or Student Support

Office. 20.9.7 No member of the Complaint Hearing shall have been involved at Stage 1.


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20.9.8 All must be present to form a quorum.

20.9.9 A secretary to the Complaint Hearing will be provided by the School. 20.9.10 The complainant will be invited to attend the hearing and may be accompanied by a

student, a member of staff of the College or an elected officer of the Students’ Union.

20.9.11 In some cases the complainant may be contacted for further information or clarification in advance of the Complaint Hearing. The dean may exercise their discretion to seek relevant information from any individuals in writing or through interview.

20.9.12 The complainant will be given at least a weeks’ notice in writing of the date of the Complaint Hearing and will be advised of the membership of the Complaint Hearing. A complainant who is unable to attend the Complaint Hearing for good reason may seek a postponement of the hearing. If the complainant fails to attend without good reason the Complaint Hearing may, at the discretion of the Chair, proceed with the hearing in the complainant’s absence.

20.9.13 The Complaints Committee will decide whether: • there is a reasonable justification for the complaint in which case the dean shall

arrange for its redress in consulation with senior colleagues as required; or • the complaint does not fall within the Complaints Procedure and requires to be

dealt with in another way; or • there is no reasonable justification for the complaint.

20.9.14 If the complaint is upheld, the form of redress might include, for example: an apology;

a financial payment in compensation for financial loss; a financial payment in acknowledgement of inconvenience or stress; or an indication that College procedures or processes will be amended to enhance the service to students.

20.9.15 The College will normally resolve Stage 2 complaints within four weeks of receipt of a properly completed complaint form. The complainant will be informed if, for any reason, there is likely to be a delay in the process, for example, in the absence of relevant individuals, where issues are particularly complex, or where further evidence has been sought but not received.

20.9.16 The complainant will be informed in writing of the outcome of the complaint and the reasons for the decision. If the complaint is upheld the letter will explain how and when the College will implement any remedy.

20.9.17 If the complaint is not upheld, the complainant will be informed of the process and time limit for taking the complaint to Stage 3: review.

20.10 Stage three: review

20.10.1 In the event that the complainant remains dissatisfied with the outcome of the complaint at Stage 2, the complainant should complete and submit a Stage 3 complaint form to request a final internal review of the complaint. The complainant must submit a request for a Stage 3 review to the Pro-Rector within four weeks of receiving the outcome of the Stage 2 Complaint Hearing. Requests for a review recieved later than this will not normally be considered unless the complainant can provide evidence that he or she was unable to submit a Stage 3 form, for medical or other valid reason, within the required period.

20.10.2 Valid grounds for review of the outcome of a Stage 2 hearing are confined to the following:


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• that there were procedural irregularities in the investigation of the complaint;• fresh evidence can be presented which could not reasonably have been made

available with the submission of the Stage 2 form;• that the resolution proposed was disproportionate to the outcome of the hearing.

20.10.3 On receipt of the Stage 3 complaint form, the Pro-Rector will decide either:• to uphold the complaint;• to establish a Review Hearing;• that there are insufficient grounds for further action, thus concluding the matter.

20.10.4 If the Pro-Rector is satisfied that any of the above apply, a Review Hearing shall be

convened comprising:• a dean, chair;• a head of programme who is not from the same School as the complainant;• a member of the Academic Development Office, Registry or Student Support

Office.

No member of the review hearing shall have served on the Stage 2 Complaint Hearing. All must be present to form a quorum. A secretary to the Complaint Hearing will be

provided by the Rectorate.

20.10.5 The complainant will be given at least 7 days notice in writing of the date of the Review Hearing. A complainant who is unable to attend the review hearing for good reason may seek postponment of the hearing. If the complainant fails to attend without good reason the Complaint Hearing may, at the discretion of the Chair, proceed with the hearing in the complainant’s absence.

20.10.6 The Review Hearing may decide to uphold the decision of the Stage 2 Complaint Hearing, may overturn the Stage 2 outcome and/or remedy or, if it is decided that there were procedural irregularities, request that the Stage 2 hearing is reconvened.

20.10.7 The College will normally complete a Stage 3 review within 4 weeks of receipt of a completed Stage 3 form. The complainant will be informed if, for any reason, there is likely to be a delay in the process, for example, in the absence of relevant individuals, where issues are particularly complex, or where further evidence has been sought but not received.

20.10.8 The complainant will be informed in writing of the outcome of the review and the reasons for the decision.

20.11 External review

There is no further procedure internal to the college to be pursued. The complainant will be issued with a Completion of Procedures letter by the office of the Pro-Rector within 2 weeks of the completion of Stage 3. The Completion of Procedures letter will confirm that internal procedures have been completed; list the issues raised and the outcome and inform the complainant of his or her right to submit a complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator and the deadline for doing so.

21 STUDENT APPEALS PROCEDURE

21.1 A student may, on specified grounds, appeal against a decision of an Interim Examination Board, a decision of a Transfer Examination Board, a board considering return from leave of absence, a Critical & Historical Studies dissertation assessment or a Final Examination Board.

21.2 A student considering whether to appeal is strongly advised to consult the Students’ Union and/or the Student Support Office for advice. A student will not


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be disadvantaged because he or she has made an appeal.

21.3 The only grounds on which an appeal will be considered are:• That his or her performance in the Examination was affected by illness or other

factors which he or she was unable, or for valid reasons unwilling, to divulge before the Examination Board reached its decision. The student’s appeal must be supported by medical certificates or other documentary evidence.

• That there was an internal administrative error, or that the Examination was not conducted in accordance with the regulations for the programme, or that some other material irregularity relevant to the Examination occurred.

Disagreement with the academic judgement of a Board in assessing the merits of an individual piece of work or in reaching any assessment decision relating to a student’s performance does not constitute grounds for an appeal.

21.4 An appeal must be made in writing to the Registrar within 28 days of the notification of the results. On receipt, the grounds for the appeal will be reviewed to establish whether they fall within those specified under 20.3.1 or 20.3.2. The student will be informed, in writing, of the result of this review within 28 days. If the appeal is not accepted the student may seek a review of that decision by writing, within 28 days, to the Registrar. The review will be conducted by the Pro-Rector. The student will be informed of the result of this review within 28 days.

21.5 If the appeal is accepted as falling within the specified grounds, a meeting of the Academic Board (ABCD), acting on behalf of the Senate, will be held within 28 days to hear the appeal. The student will be given at least seven days’ notice of the date of the hearing. At the appeal the student may be accompanied by a Students’ Union representative or other member of the College and shall be enabled to call witnesses and produce documents. The ABCD may call the Chair of the Examination Board to answer questions.

21.6 The ABCD shall decide whether the appeal is or is not well founded and has the power:• to require the Examination Board to reconsider a decision• exceptionally to annul a decision of the Examination Board• to reject the appeal.

The decision will normally be made at the conclusion of the hearing and will be communicated in writing to the student within three days.

21.7 There is no further procedure internal to the college to be pursued. The complainant will be issued with a Completion of Procedures letter by the office of the Pro-Rector within 2 weeks of the completion of Stage 3. The Completion of Procedures letter will confirm that internal procedures have been completed; list the issues raised and the outcome and inform the complainant of his or her right to submit a complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator and the deadline for doing so.

22 ADMISSION APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

Where an applicant wishes to appeal against the decision on an application for a place to study at the College, or to make a complaint regarding the College’s selection process or admissions procedure he or she should do so in writing to the Registrar.

No applicant will be discriminated against or in any way penalised for raising a complaint or making an appeal.

The Admission Appeals and Complaints Procedure is published on the


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College’s website.

22.1 Grounds for appeal Appeals against the College’s decision on an application for admission can be

considered where:• mitigating circumstances were not taken into account• there was an internal administrative error.

Disagreement with the academic judgement of an Entrance Examination Board in assessing the merits of an application or in reaching any assessment decision relating to an applicant’s performance does not constitute grounds for an appeal.

An appeal must be made in writing to the Registrar within 28 days of the notification of results. On receipt, the grounds for the appeal will be reviewed to establish whether they fall within those specified in the Regulations. The applicant will be informed, in writing, of the result of this review within 28 days.

If the appeal is accepted as falling within the specified grounds, a meeting of the Academic Board (ABCD), acting on behalf of the Senate, will be held within 28 days to hear the appeal. The applicant will be given at least seven days’ notice of the date of the hearing. At the appeal the applicant shall be enabled to call witnesses and produce documents. The ABCD may call the Chair of the Entrance Examination Board to answer questions. The ABCD shall decide whether the appeal is or is not well founded and has the power:• to require the Entrance Examination Board to reconsider a decision• to reject the appeal.

The decision will normally be made at the conclusion of the hearing and will be communicated in writing to the student applicant within three days. The decision of the ABCD will be final.

23 USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) FACILITIES

College-wide it services are provided to students on a best endeavors basis and no guarantee can be made for service continuity. A service level statement is available on the RCA Intranet https://intranet.rca.ac.uk/technology-principles/ which indicates the usual level of capability, performance, support, access and continuity, with necessary limitations.

23.1 It facilities managed within the college are used entirely at the student’s own risk. The College will not be liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising from such use. Nor can the College give any warranty or undertaking about security or confidentiality of data.

23.2 All it facilities are to be used primarily for College-related activity and by approved or registered users.

23.3 Students must not make changes or attach devices to College equipment or networks that could compromise security, performance or continuity of services.

23.4 The security of work on College computers or student’s own devices is the their own responsibility. Students should make personal back-up copies of digital work before and after major changes or on completion of work.

The following conditions of use apply to all users of College IT resources:


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Conditions of use of IT facilities These Conditions of Use are issued to all users of RCA technology services and

information systems. Contravention of any of these conditions may result in immediate withdrawal of access to all College technology services and resources and possible disciplinary or legal action. Conditions of use are issued to all new RCA IT users and whenever passwords are renewed or reset. IT Services maintain RCA technology infrastructure and manage or delegate access on behalf of the College, with the authority of senior management. Local authorisation for access to, use of and changes to technology and data follow departmental line management controls and agreed business rules such as College Financial Regulations.

Using Royal College of Art (‘RCA’ or ‘the College’) IT (‘Information Technology’) services (infrastructure, support, interfaces and data) or resources (equipment and software) requires that you comply with the following conditions - maintained and published for the College by IT Services (‘ITS’):

I may only use College IT facilities for which I have permission and by using these

facilities I agree to comply with these Conditions of Use.• I am entitled to a single user account for e-mail and other online services, and

agree not to access another user’s account or computer, or disclose to others my password, or facilitate unauthorised access by others.

• College IT facilities are to be used for purposes authorised by the College: coursework, research, learning, teaching and associated administration and communication.

• I agree not to make any changes or additions to College IT facilities unless authorised by the College.

• IT resources issued to you by RCA remains the property and responsibility of the College, and may be recalled, updated or replaced at any time. IT resources belonging to RCA must be returned to ITS on request by HR or ITS within five working days, at the end of an employment contract, or before finishing a course of study.

• I agree to notify ITS of any requirements for software and hardware purchases, and agree to provide ITS with access to and information about College IT resources used by me.

• I am bound by all agreements and conditions within contracts made by the College with suppliers on the use of software, data and hardware.

• I am bound by conditions of use and codes of conduct for any external IT facilities and services used by RCA, including the JANET Acceptable Use Policy. I agree that my use of such facilities and services must not bring the College into disrepute.

• I am bound by all current UK legislation, including the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and agree not to misuse, make unauthorised use of, or cause damage to College or external computing facilities.

• I am bound by all current UK legislation relating to libel, pornography and harassment, including: storing or propagating libellous and/or offensive information; using computing facilities to distribute defamatory information.

• I must not attempt to conceal or falsify the authorship of any electronic communication.

• I must not send unsolicited electronic communications to multiple recipients, unless authorised by the College.

• I agree, in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, not to undertake or facilitate the illegal or unauthorised copying or distribution of software, licenses or data.

• I must not access, remove or make use of data or information collected and held on College infrastructure, classified by the Data Protection Act as: personal, commercially sensitive or confidential, unless authorised by the College and secured in accordance with the Act.

• The College may, if necessary monitor device and network usage, electronic files and communications to test systems, or to prevent or investigate breaches of College regulations or UK legislation, in accordance with the Regulation of


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Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 and The Telecommunications Interception of Communications Regulations 2000.

• The College cannot guarantee the security, confidentiality or integrity of data, and therefore will not be liable for any inaccuracies, damages or losses arising from the use of College or external facilities.

• My name, photograph, status and related information will be stored digitally for business purposes.

• I agree that access to College facilities is restricted to holders of ID cards, issued by Buildings & Estates. My ID card must be carried at all times while at the College, and be used only by myself, and will be surrendered if requested by College staff.

These Conditions are subject to change at any time, and will be published at: https://intranet.rca.ac.uk/support/it-services/it-policies-and-procedures/ For

applicable laws see: http://web.rca.ac.uk/cou/uk_legislation

24 USE OF THE LIBRARY

24.1 Students are entitled to have on loan, at any one time, the following number of items, including books and films:• MA/MRes/MPhil/PhD students: 15• PEP: 10• Exchange students: 5

(Borrowing entitlements for students attending the College for shorter periods of time are at the discretion of the Head of Library Services.)

24.2 Library Loans can be renewed (unless reserved by another user), online, in person or by telephone.

24.3 Users will be required to produce their Library card when borrowing books, and at the request of Library staff. The RCA Library card is issued to the user for personal use, and should not be lent, temporarily or otherwise, to any other person. A user should inform a member of the library staff if their card has been lost. If a card is lost a charge will be made for its replacement. No book shall be taken out of the Library until the loan has been recorded on the Library system.

24.5 Borrowers are responsible for all items issued to their Library card. This responsibility ends only when the item has been recorded as returned on the Library system.

24.6 Books and other loanable items must be returned no later than the due date or earlier if they are recalled by the Library.

24.7 Books which are already on loan may be reserved by another borrower. When returned, reserved books will be available for collection either at Kensington or Battersea campuses for a limited period only (Battersea service is term-time only).

24.8 Books and other loanable items can be returned to the Library at Kensington, or via the return box outside the Library when the Library is closed. There is also a book return box based at the Battersa campus for use during term-time. Collections from the Battersea campus are Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.

24.9 Users with overdue items will be sent an invoice for the items, which are now considered lost. Borrowing rights will be suspended and users will not be allowed to borrow further books or other loanable items until the books are returned or renewed or the invoices paid.

http://web.rca.ac.uk/cou/uk_legislation


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24.10 No student will be allowed to undertake his or her Final Examination until all items borrowed from the Library have been returned and lost items paid for. If a student leaves the College before his or her course or contract ends, he or she must ensure all library items have been returned.

24.11 Study areas in the Library are designated for quiet research. Mobile devices may be used only in silent mode in all areas of the Library, including the Computer Cluster. All users are required to behave considerately and to respect the study needs of others.

24.12 Users must not mark, deface or damage Library books, their Library card or the fabric, furniture and fittings in the Library. If an item becomes marked, defaced or damaged while in the user’s care they will be required to pay a Lost Item Charge and/or other compensation.

24.13 Eating and drinking (except bottled water) is not allowed in the Library.

24.14 All users who have been granted access to the libraries of other institutions by virtue of their RCA Library membership must abide by the visited library’s regulations. Any breach of these, or any other form of misconduct, will be regarded also as a breach of the RCA Library Regulations.

24.15 All users accessing the Library’s online resources and subscriptions must abide by the terms of the appropriate licences.

24.16 Users of computers in the Library are required to abide by the Regulations for IT Users.

44

AcademicRegulations

ACA D E M I C R EG U L AT I O N S

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1 PRINCIPLES These Regulations derive from and complement the Statutes and Ordinances

of the College.

1.1 The Standard of Awards The College’s degrees and other academic awards conferred under its Royal Charter

should achieve at least parity of standards with awards granted and conferred throughout higher education.

Academic awards should be defined in terms of standard, objectives, duration and

level of entry. The standard of an award is aligned with the relevant qualification descriptor set out

in the National Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

1.2 Aims and Objectives of Masters Programmes The curriculum, structure, teaching methods and forms of assessment of a

programme should be such as to ensure the realisation of its aims and objectives. The aims of a programme should include the development to the level required for the

award to which it leads of a body of knowledge and skills appropriate to the field of study and reflecting academic developments in that field.

The aims should also include general educational aims, particularly: the development of students’ intellectual and imaginative powers; their understanding and judgement; their problem-solving skills; their ability to communicate; their ability to see relationships within what they have learned and to examine their field of study in a broader perspective. Each programme of study should stimulate in each student an enquiring, analytical and creative approach involving independent learning and personal research and encourage independent judgement and critical self-awareness.

The objectives of a programme should specify in detail the knowledge, skills and

attributes to be developed by the programme of study and evaluated in the assessments.

1.3 Quality of Teaching The quality of teaching is a crucial element of the attainment and maintenance of

standards and of the motivation of students, and it should be maintained and when possible enhanced. Not only should teaching staff be properly qualified and experienced, their teaching should also be invigorated and informed by their participation in practice, research and related scholarly or professional activities.

1.4 The Learning Environment The College will provide appropriate academic support, learning resources and

support services. Students will receive academic supervision appropriate to the level of the programme of study followed and receive regular advice and feedback about their academic progress. All students will have the opportunity to make a contribution to the review of the quality of the teaching and learning environment of the College through the process of annual programme review.

1.5 Validation and Review The validation, approval and review process is intended to encourage effective and

responsive programme development and review while enabling the Senate to be assured that at least parity of standards and relevance of course provision are maintained and enhanced. The Senate considers that the model of critical and analytical peer review, involving both internal and external colleagues, is the best way of judging the appropriateness and standard of a course.


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1.6 Student Representation Student representatives for both Masters and research programmes are elected by

the students. There will be a minimum of one representative per year for every Masters programme, a minimum of one representative per year for College-wide Master of Research programme(s), a minimum of one representative per programme for Scholl-based Master of Research programme(s), and a minimum of three representatives per School for research students. Additional representatives are elected in proportion to the size of the individual programmes. The Student Representatives serve from 1 December to 30 November annually. The Student Representatives form a Council, which is the ruling body of the Students’ Union, responsible for decision making and Union democracy for college-wide purposes. Student Representatives bring forward issues from programmes to the Co-Presidents of the Students’ Union who then, where appropriate, present these issues at College committees or to the senior management of the College. Student Representatives are expected to attend the relevant programme and Students’ Union meetings to report student views and concerns.

The Academic Standards Committee recommends that as good practice students

should have the opportunity to meet as a group and report their views to the relevant programme committee via the elected Student Representatives. Student feedback is also obtained through a questionnaire to enable students to comment anonymously on their experiences of the College.

Heads of programme are required to analyse and respond to student feedback in the

annual school review report and report back to students on actions taken. Student reports and questionnaires are also considered by the Students’ Union and

the Academic Standards Committee – the body responsible for monitoring the quality of the College’s programmes of study.

1.7 Admission of Students The admission of each student should be based on a reasonable expectation that the

student would be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standard required for the academic award.

1.8 Assessment of Students The purpose of assessment should be to enable students to demonstrate that they

have fulfilled the objectives of the course and achieved the standard required for the academic award concerned. To those ends, assessment should be undertaken by examiners who are impartial, and who are competent to make judgements about the performance of individual students in relation to the particular cohort and, where possible, to peers on other comparable courses. The assessment regulations for each course explain the basis on which students will be assessed for the award. These regulations should also include the means by which exceptionally a student may be re-assessed to make good an initial failure at assessment. The specific responsibilities of External Examiners are to ensure equity and fairness in the decisions reached in respect of each student being assessed and that the standards of award are maintained and are comparable with those of other higher education institutions. Internal Moderators ensure that there are appropriate mechanisms in place for the objective and impartial assessment of the students’ work and to ensure comparability of examination practices across the College.

1.9 Design of Programmes of Study Courses of study should have been designed with due regard to the:

• curriculum and syllabus including all facilities for practice and research• qualifications and experience of staff


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• facilities and learning resources available• standard required for admission• quality of teaching• achievements of the students• arrangements for student assessment and for the appointment of External

Examiners and Internal Moderators• arrangements for monitoring, sustaining and developing both the standard of

student performance and the quality of learning and teaching.

2 MASTER OF ART DEGREES

2.1 Eligibility for Admission Applicants must normally have obtained a good relevant undergraduate degree or an

equivalent qualification. The College recognises as an equivalent qualification any degree, diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualification awarded by a university or other higher education establishment, where the award is made following the successful completion of a course of at least three years’ study, the programme of study being open, as a general rule, only to persons holding a certificate awarded on the successful completion of a full course of upper secondary education.

Exceptionally, other qualifications may be approved, providing that the Academic

Board for Concessions and Discipline (ABCD) is satisfied that the applicant has the ability to pursue the programme of study successfully.

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate that they have a reasonable knowledge of

the English language. Candidates who do not speak English as their first language will be required to provide evidence that within the previous two years they have achieved an IELTS exam score of at least 6.5 with 6 in writing. Some programmes with the approval of the Academic Standards Committee may require a higher language score – within the range of IELTS 6.5-7 – which will be published in the programme specification and information for applicants.

Applicants should normally be aged over 21 by 1 September of the proposed year

of admission.

2.2 Length of Programme The normal period of study of courses is two years full-time. The period of study for

part-time students is three or four years and is equivalent to two years full-time. Applicants may apply to the head of programme for deferral of a place normally for one academic year.

The ABCD is empowered to make judgements about the extent to which qualifications

or experience gained elsewhere may be accepted in partial fulfilment of its requirement for a given award.

2.3 Standard of Award The standard of the Master of Arts degree MA (RCA) is that expected of an Honours

graduate who has successfully completed a programme of study in a field for which prior knowledge and skills have provided an appropriate foundation.

Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to produce independent work at

an advanced level, much of which is at or near the forefront of the discipline and demonstrates a creative, imaginative, innovative and individual response to a challenging set or self-set brief; and the ability to articulate clearly the intentions of the work produced, and the approaches, knowledge, skills and reasoning employed in its production.


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Students will be able to initiate and develop project ideas which offer them challenges in terms of learning, understanding, research, technical realisation and communication at an advanced level, and will demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary practice and methods of enquiry. Students will acquire an advanced level of appropriate technical skills and/or research and presentation skills, as well as the ability to acquire new ones as and when required. Students will be able to engage in focused, independent and self-motivated learning, research and practice, and will demonstrate understanding of the professional contexts in which they might work beyond graduation and the ability and motivation to continue to develop their knowledge and skills.

2.4 Admissions Boards

2.4.1 Role of Admissions Boards The purpose of an Admissions Board is to assess a candidate’s suitability for a

programme of study against the admissions criteria for the programme. In compliance with the College’s equality and diversity policy, all candidates who meet the threshold standard for admittance for the programme should, if the programme has vacancies, be offered a place as soon as possible after interview.

No candidate may be offered a place without undertaking an interview. The interview may be conducted in a variety of ways. Normally the interview will be in person with the Admissions Board. Interviews using video conferencing, Skype or with a single designated member of the Admissions Board are however also permissible. The recommendations to offer a place may be made only by a properly constituted Admissions Board having reviewed the application forms and the applicant’s work.

In any case where it can be shown that an applicant has submitted work which

is not his or her own, as if it was his or her own, or it transpires that the level of involvement in joint work has been seriously exaggerated, or where false statements have been made on an application form or other document considered by an Admissions Board, the applicant may be disqualified.

2.4.2 Membership of Admissions Boards The minimum composition of an Admissions Board is as follows:

• one member of academic staff, at senior tutor level or above, or an academic-facing member of Senior Management Team (Chair).

The Chair may choose to invite another member of academic staff, at senior tutor

level or above, or an academic-facing member of Senior Management Team and/or one student representative to join the Admissions Board.

ALL members of the Admissions Board, including student representatives, must have undertaken a training programme in selection interviewing approved by the Human Resources Department. Regular training sessions will be offered by the Human Resources Department at no cost to the participants.

Where an Admissions Board does not include a member of the School to which the applicant has applied, the formal offer of a place must be confirmed by the Dean of the admitting School.

It is the responsibility of the Chair of the Admissions Board to ensure that the rights and responsibilities of the Board are known to each member and to ensure that the names and signature of all members who have participated in the admissions procedure appear on the results form. The Chair of the Admissions Board shall have the final say in the selection of candidates to be recommended to the Dean of School for the offer of a place. The Dean of School is required to approve all admissions board results for recommendation to Academic Board for Concessions and Student


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Discipline.

2.5 Tutorial Support Each student will be assigned a personal tutor whose role is to:

• maintain an overview of the student’s academic progress – monitoring and recording progress through the course

• meet with the student on a regular basis (a minimum of once a term) to:• provide advice and guidance on academic issues referring the student to other

colleagues, if necessary• provide pastoral support, referring the student to other areas of the College or

external agencies for help, if necessary• ensure that there are regular documented reports on progress. Students will

receive one personal tutorial and associated progress report, in terms one, two, four and five; a post-examination tutorial and associated progress report based on the Interim Examination; and a tutorial and associated progress report in preparation for their Final Examination.

• represent the student’s interests in staff discussions and at the Interim Examination Board and Final Examination Board.

A visiting lecturer may fulfil the role of the student’s personal tutor provided that he or she is employed by the College for more than 15 days per year.

Tutorial discussions should include constructive and critical feedback, advice and

guidance on the student’s work, the standard that is required and relevant resources. Tutorial reports should incorporate overall progress against the aims and objectives of the course and a summary of the actions agreed. Students have access to all written reports on their academic progress.

2.6 Termination of Study Other than failure at Interim or Final Examination a student whose work or

participation in the programme is unsatisfactory will be entitled to receive a written warning which will be referred to the ABCD. Two written warnings will render a student liable to the termination of his or her studies.

2.7 Transfer between Programmes of Study It may be possible for a student to transfer to another programme of study subject

to confirmation that the student’s programme of study to date provides a suitable basis for progression to the new programme. Transfer requests will normally be considered at the time of the first year interim examination and must be approved by ABCD. A form for transfer requests is available on Space under Academic Forms.

2.8 Critical & Historical Studies

2.8.1 Critical & Historical Studies Master of Arts students (other than those in the School of Humanities) are required in

their first year to take a Critical & Historical Studies Programme. Each student must complete a dissertation to the satisfaction of the assessing Critical & Historical Studies Tutor. A student who fails to meet this requirement will not be permitted to submit for the Final Examination. A student may be referred only once. The dissertation must be a minimum of 6,000 and a maximum of 10,000 words in length. Dissertations must be typewritten in English and two original copies must be submitted. The Critical & Historical Studies requirements for students working on project-based MAs should be agreed between the head of programme and the School of Humanities. Any dissertation which is over 10,000 words in length will be referred.

MA students are required to submit a piece of writing with a minimum of 1,000 words,

together with a dissertation bibliography, by a specified date in their second term.


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No student will be permitted to progress to the second year of his or her course until this submission requirement has been satisfactorily completed.

2.9 Professional Practice Programme Professional development is a core part of the curriculum. Each MA student will have

a professional practice element in his or her course.

2.10 Interim Examination

2.10.1 Role of Interim Examination Boards There will be a formal Interim Examination of each student’s work which must

normally have taken place by the end of May each year, other than the final year, and only those students whose progress is accepted by the ABCD as being satisfactory will be permitted to proceed to the next year of the course.

The Board must take into account any information provided by a student on the adverse effect of illness or other factors on examination performance. On the recommendation of the Interim Examination Board and with the approval of the ABCD, a student whose work is not satisfactory will be set, in writing, a specific programme of work to be submitted for examination not later than 14 September of that year. Depending on the nature of the referral project an earlier referral date may be agreed by the programme team. If this work is not satisfactory, the student’s course will be terminated forthwith. All students are allowed access to their Interim Examination forms in order to be able to discuss them with their Tutors.

2.10.2 Membership of Interim Examination Boards The minimum composition for an Interim Examination Board will be as follows:

• the head of programme, Dean/ Associate Dean, or a member of the academic staff, at senior tutor level or above, nominated by the Dean (chair)

• one tutor/senior tutor from the programme.

2.10.3 Appeals Appeals against a decision of an Examination Board may be considered under the

procedure specified in Regulation 21 of the General Regulations.

2.11 External Examiners

2.11.1 The Role of the External Examiner The role of the External Examiner is to ensure that the:

• academic standard for each award is set and maintained at an appropriate level and that student performance is properly judged against this

• standards of awards are comparable with those of other UK higher education institutions

• process of assessment and examination is fair and has been fairly conducted.

2.11.2 Criteria for Appointment An External Examiner’s academic/professional qualifications should be appropriate

to the course to be examined, with both the level and the subjects of those qualifications generally matching what is to be examined. An External Examiner should have appropriate standing, expertise and experience to fulfil the role. An External Examiner should have relevant teaching, assessment or external examining experience, preferably at postgraduate level, or comparable related experience to indicate competence in assessing students in the subject and ensuring comparability of standards.

If the proposed examiner has no previous external examining experience at

postgraduate level, the application should be supported by either:• other external examining experience


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• extensive internal examining experience• other relevant and recent experience likely to support the External Examiner role.

In special circumstances more than one External Examiner may be appointed. External Examiners should be drawn from a variety of institutional/professional

contexts. There must not be reciprocal external examining between courses in the College and another institution or replacement of an External Examiner by another individual from the same institution. External Examiners should not have previous close involvement with the College which might compromise their objectivity. Over the last three years a proposed External Examiner should not have been a member of staff, a member of the Council, a student or a near relative of a member of staff or an examiner for another Masters course in the College. For a joint course or dual award, the External Examiner should not have been a staff member of the host programme of the partner institution during the last three years. External Examiners should not normally hold more than the equivalent of two substantial examining appointments or three smaller appointments at the same time.

Exceptionally, for example in a particularly small discipline, an External Examiner may

be re-appointed to examine a course after a gap of three years. External Examiners are appointed by the Senate on the recommendation of the Academic Standards Committee following nomination by the head of programme.

2.11.3 Length of Appointment The normal term of office of an External Examiner will be three years. The

appointment will normally commence in the January before the first examination.

2.11.4 External Examiners’ Reports External Examiners are required to report annually to the Pro-Rector

on the performance of the students and the conduct of the examination. The purpose of the report is to enable the Senate to judge whether the course

is meeting its stated objectives and to make any necessary improvements, either immediately or at the next review of the course as appropriate.

External Examiners are also asked to comment under the following headings

(these comments are for internal College use and are not for publication):• standards• assessment• curriculum design and delivery• teaching and learning• innovation or good practice• administration of the examination• further suggestions, recommendations or other comments on the course.

In the final year of appointment External Examiners are invited to provide a brief overview report on developments in the course during their term of office. These reports are required by the end of the first week after Convocation.

Programmes are required to consider and respond to External Examiners’ reports as

part of the annual Programmeal Review process. As part of this process the External Examiners’ reports will be available to the

programmes’ Student Representatives. External Examiners will receive a summary of the programmes’ responses to their comments.


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2.11.5 Termination of External Examiner Appointments The appointment of an External Examiner may be terminated by the Senate if the

Senate judges that the responsibilities of the appointment have not been or cannot be fulfilled in the manner or to the standard which the College requires.

eReasons for termination could include:• provision of false information• failure to provide reports on the examination process required by the College• a change in the External Examiner’s circumstances which brings about • potential conflicts of interest which might jeopardise objectivity• persistent refusal to work within the College’s Academic Regulations.

2.12 Deferral of Examination On recommendation of the head of programme, the ABCD may agree that the

examination may be deferred. Deferral is only appropriate in the event of:• absence, for a valid reason, from the course which prevented completion of

the submission• an approved late change of direction in the student’s work which prevented

a complete submission• lack of availability of specialist equipment essential for the realisation of

the submission.

2.13 Final Examination

2.13.1 Final Examination Stage One - Final Examination Board

2.13.1.1 Status of Final Examination Boards Final Examination Boards are convened to enable students to demonstrate that they

have fulfilled the objectives of the programme of study and that they have achieved the standard for the award of a Master of Arts degree. Students may only be examined on the degree for which they have been registered. The Final Examination Board will consider any extenuating circumstances which a student wishes them to take into account in their assessment, and will make recommendations to the School Examination Board

The deliberations of the Final Examination Board are confidential to the Board, the

School Examination Board and the ABCD.

2.13.1.2 Membership of Final Examination Board The normal composition of the Final Examination Board Examination Board will be:

• the head of programme, Dean/ Associate Dean or a member of the academic staff - at senior tutor level or above - nominated by the dean (chair);

• one tutor/senior tutor from the programme• the student’s personal tutor where he or she is not otherwise a member of the Final

Examination Board.

2.13.1.3 Conduct of Final Examination Each student will recieve a viva voce, conducted by the Final Examination Board. An

External Examiner will be present for the vivas of, as a minimum, three students, or 10% of the cohort to be assessed, whichever is greater. Programmes with formal pathways should provide External Examiners with a minimum three students or 10% sample from each pathway. The External Examiner is able to view any work they request. All interim and final examination forms will be made available to the External Examiner. Internal Moderators will be present for one day of examinations. Vivas should be conducted in a quiet area, with no interruptions, and will last a minimum of 30 minutes.


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2.13.2 Final Examination Stage Two - School Examination Board

2.13.2.1 Status of School Examination Board School Examination Boards are convened to agree the pass list for each programme,

and to recommend final examination results to ABCD for ratification.

Only the Senate or the ABCD acting on behalf of the Senate has the authority to award the Master of Arts degree, to permit a student to re-submit his or her work for re-examination or to fail a student. The deliberations of the School Examination Board are confidential to the Board and the ABCD. Within two days of the meeting of the School Examination Board the head of programme or personal tutor should inform the student of the Board’s recommendation to the ABCD.

2.13.2.2 Membership of School Examination Board The normal composition of a School Assessment Examination Board will be:

• Dean of School (chair);• heads of programme • External Examiners

2.13.2.3 Conduct of School Examination Board Following the Final Examination the School Examintation Board will convene to agree

the pass list for each programme and recommend the results to the Academic Board for Concessions and Discipline. The School Examination Board will discuss any exenuating circumstances claims and agree the action to be taken where they are agreed, and will approve the programme of work for referred students. The programme of work for referred students should be achievable within the specified timeframe.

2.13.3 Internal Moderators An Internal Moderator is appointed by the Senate on the recommendation of the

Academic Standards Committee following the nomination by the head of programme. The Internal Moderator must be a member of the academic staff of a School other than that within which the course is located. Internal Moderators must not have taught on the programme of study for which they are appointed as Moderator.

The Internal Moderator is not required to make a judgement on the quality of the

students’ work. The role of the Moderator is to ensure that there are appropriate mechanisms in place for the objective and impartial assessment of students’ work and to ensure comparability of examination practices between programmes within the College.

Internal Moderators are required to report to the Pro-Rector by the

end of the first week of the summer vacation commenting on:• the assessment process: was the assessment process fair, consistent

and appropriate? • were the assessment criteria applied as described in the Programmeal Handbook?• examples of good practice• any other comments.

Moderators are appointed for one year. The appointment is renewable for one

further year.

2.13.4 Responsibilities of Students Students must attend examinations and submit work for assessment as required and

provide the examiners in advance of their meeting with any relevant information on personal circumstances which may have affected their performance and which they wish the examiners to take into account.


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If a student fails to attend for examination or to submit work for assessment without good cause, the examiners have the authority to deem the student to have failed the examinations.

If a student is found to have cheated or attempted to gain an unfair advantage,

the examiners have the authority to deem the student to have failed part or all of the assessments and the authority to determine whether or not the student should be permitted to be re-assessed.

2.13.5 Responsibilities of the Boards Each member of the Final Examination Board and School Examination Board has an

equal voice in the deliberations, oral examination and final decision. However, without the agreement of the External Examiner, the award of the degree may not be recommended and must be referred to the ABCD acting on behalf of the Senate. In such circumstances, the External Examiner will be asked to provide a written report for the ABCD. Where possible, the Board shall reach a unanimous decision to recommend the student for a Master of Arts degree, or that the student shall fail. A student who fails the Final Examination for the Master of Arts degree outright will not be allowed to re-submit. In exceptional circumstances, and then only on the unanimous recommendation of the Final Examination Board and with the approval of the ABCD, a student may be referred and be permitted to re-submit his or her work for re-examination.

Each Final Examination Board and School Examination Board should judge the work

of the student against the assessment criteria for that programme of study. Referral would be the appropriate decision where at the first attempt a candidate was assessed as a borderline fail.

The degree of failure should normally be no greater than that which could be retrieved within one term. In considering whether referral should be granted the candidate’s past studentship should be taken into account. Where a candidate is assessed as requiring considerably more than one term’s additional work to retrieve the failure the appropriate decision should be failure without the opportunity for re-submission and re-assessment.

A referral submission must be within 12 months of the first submission and in the

form prescribed by the head of programme and approved by the ABCD. Referred students should receive at least one tutorial during their referral period. Full details of the re-submission requirement - including a suitable timeframe and, exceptionally, detailing any further access to College resources - will be provided to the student in writing. No further re-submission may be made.

The Final Examination Board must consider any evidence of exenuating circumstances submitted by a student and make recommendations to the School Examination Board. An Aegrotat may be recommended when a School Examination Board does not have enough evidence of the student’s performance to be able to recommend the award for which the student was a candidate, but is satisfied that, but for illness or other valid cause, the student would have reached the standard required. If a student is unable, through disability, to be assessed by the normal methods, a Final Examination Board may make suitable adjustments, bearing in mind the objectives of the programme and the need to assess the student on equal terms with other students.

Where a School Examination Board is convened after the last meeting of the Senate

for the academic year concerned, the Senate may authorise the ABCD to act on the Senate’s behalf.


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The proceedings of Final Examination Boards and School Examination Boards are confidential.

2.13.6 Particular Responsibilities of Individual Members of the Boards The Chair of a Final Examination Board or School Examination Board is responsible

for ensuring that the composition of the Final Examination Board or School Examination Board and the conduct of the examination comply with the Regulations and must ensure a fair and open presentation of the student’s work and other information where appropriate. The Chair is also responsible for making the student’s Critical & Historical Studies dissertation available to the Board. The External Examiner(s) must ensure that at least parity of standards has been achieved compared with work from other institutions.

The External Examiner(s) and the Internal Moderator have the further responsibilities

of ensuring that the student is fairly dealt with by the Board

2.13.7 Conduct of Examinations Chairs of Final Examination Boards should arrange for examinations to be conducted

in a quiet area with no interruptions. The Final Examination Board should meet before the start of the examination

process to note the assessment criteria and to confirm the role of each member of the Board.

In briefing the Final Examination Board the Chair should remind members that

Critical & Historical Studies dissertations are available for information but do not form part of the Final Examination process having already been assessed and externally moderated.

When the student arrives the Chair should introduce members of the Final

Examination Board, provide a brief outline of the examination process to confirm the student’s understanding of the procedures and explain the role of the External Examiner and Internal Moderator.

At the end of the School Examination Board all members should sign the examination

results list issued by the Registry. Signing the list signifies agreement with the results. No member of the Board should sign the list in advance.

The Chair of the School Examination Board is responsible for ensuring that a

consensus decision is recorded. Any dispute must be referred to the ABCD.

2.13.8 Appeals Appeals against a decision of the School Examination Board may be considered under

the procedure specified in Regulation 21 of the General Regulations.

3 DEGREE OF MASTER OF RESEARCH

3.1 DEGREE OF MASTER OF RESEARCH (COLLEGE-WIDE)

3.1.1 Eligibility for Registration Applicants must normally have obtained a good relevant undergraduate degree or

an equivalent qualification. The College recognises as an equivalent qualification any degree, diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualification awarded by a university or other higher education establishment, where the award is made following the successful completion of a course of at least three years’ study, the programme of research being open, as a general rule, only to persons holding


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a certificate awarded on the successful completion of a full course of upper secondary education.


Board for Concessions and Discipline (ABCD) is satisfied that the applicant has the ability to pursue the programme of research successfully.



Applicants should normally be aged over 21 by 1 September of the proposed year of admission.

3.1.2 Length of Programme The normal period of study of courses is one year full-time. The period of study for

part-time students is two to three years where offered, and is equivalent to one year full-time. Applicants may apply to the Pathway Leader for deferral of a place normally for one academic year.

The ABCD is empowered to make judgements about the extent to which qualifications or experience gained elsewhere may be accepted in partial fulfilment of its requirement for a given award.

3.1.3 Standard of Award The standard of the Master of Research degree MRes (RCA) is that expected of an

Honours graduate who has successfully completed a programme of study in a field for which prior knowledge and skills have provided an appropriate foundation.

Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to produce independent work at an advanced level, much of which is at or near the forefront of the discipline and demonstrates a creative, imaginative, innovative and individual approach to conduct research through a programme of structured learning.

Students will be able to initiate and develop project ideas which offer them challenges in terms of learning, understanding, research and articulation at an advanced level, and will demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary practice and methods of enquiry. Students will acquire an advanced level of appropriate research and presentation skills, as well as technical (where appreciate). Students will be able to engage in focused, independent and self-motivated learning, research and practice, and will demonstrate understanding of the professional contexts in which they might work beyond graduation and the ability and motivation to continue to develop their knowledge and skills.

3.1.4 Admissions Boards

3.1.4.1 Role of Admissions Boards The purpose of an Admissions Board is to assess a candidate’s suitability for a


No candidate may be offered a place without undertaking an interview. The interview


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may be conducted in a variety of ways. Normally the interview will be in person with the Admissions Board. Interviews using video conferencing, Skype or with a single designated member of the Admissions Board are however also permissible. The recommendations to offer a place may be made only by a properly constituted Admissions Board having reviewed the application forms and the applicant’s work.

In any case where it can be shown that an applicant has submitted work which is not his or her own, as if it was his or her own, or it transpires that the level of

involvement in joint work has been seriously exaggerated, or where false statements have been made on an application form or other document considered by an Admissions Board, the applicant may be disqualified.

3.1.4.2 Membership of Admissions Boards The minimum composition of an Admissions Board is as follows:

• the Head of Research Programmes or one member of academic staff, at senior tutor level or above, or an academic-facing member of Senior Management Team (Chair).




Where an Admissions Board does not include a member of the School to which the applicant has applied, the formal offer of a place must be confirmed by the Dean of the admitting School.

It is the responsibility of the Chair of the Admissions Board to ensure that the rights

and responsibilities of the Board are known to each member and to ensure that the names and signature of all members who have participated in the admissions procedure appear on the results form. The Chair of the Admissions Board shall have the final say in the selection of candidates to be recommended to the Dean of School for the offer of a place. The Dean of School is required to approve all admissions board results for recommendation to Academic Board for Concessions and Student Discipline.

3.1.5 Tutorial Support Each student will be assigned a personal tutor whose role is to:


• meet with the student on a regular basis (a minimum of once a term) to:• provide advice and guidance on academic issues referring the student to

other colleagues, if necessary• provide pastoral support, referring the student to other areas of the

College or external agencies for help, if necessary• ensure that there are regular documented reports on progress. Students will

receive one personal tutorial and associated progress report, in terms one, two, and three; a post-examination tutorial and associated progress reports; and a tutorial and associated progress report in preparation for their Final Examination.


A visiting lecturer may fulfil the role of the student’s personal tutor provided that he


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or she is employed by the College for more than 15 days per year.

Tutorial discussions should include constructive and critical feedback, advice and guidance on the student’s work, the standard that is required and relevant resources, preparation for the Independent Research Project, and developing an understanding of the students’ research field. Tutorial reports should incorporate overall progress against the aims and objectives of the course and a summary of the actions agreed. Students have access to all written reports on their academic progress.

3.1.6 Termination of Study Other than failure at progression boards or Final Examination a student whose work or


Students may be able to exit with awards at Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma level, provided they are able to demonstrate achievement at this level. Exit awards are agreed by the School Examination Board and confirmed by Academic Board for Concessions and Discipline

3.1.7 Transfer between Programmes of Study It may be possible for a student to transfer to another MRes programme or pathway

of study subject to confirmation that the student’s programme of study to date provides a suitable basis for progression to the new programme. Transfer requests will normally be considered by the end of the Autumn term, and must be approved by ABCD. A form for transfer requests is available on the intranet under Academic Forms with the approval of ABCD.

3.1.8 Independent Research Project Master of Research students are required at the end of their programme to complete

an Independent Research Project to the satisfaction of the head of programme and pathway leader. A student who fails to meet this requirement will not be awarded a Master of Research. A student may only be referred once. The project must be a minimum of12,000 and a maximum of 15,000 words in length, or a body of practice and a written report of 4,000 words. The project must be typewritten in English and two original copies must be submitted. The Independent Research Project requirements for students working on practice-based programmes should be agreed between the head of programme and the Pathway Leader. Any project submitted which is over the maximum word length will be referred.

The Independent Research Project will be supervised by a member of staff from within the pathway’s School. The selection of a supervisor will be the responsibility of the Pathway Leader. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain contact with his or her supervisor. Although the conduct of the research project is primarily the student’s responsibility, the supervisor will advise the student in planning, strategic thinking and generation of ideas.

During the course of study, if a student’s supervisor is unable to undertake supervisory duties for more than one month, it is the responsibility of the head of programme to nominate a temporary supervisor during this time. This nomination must be approved by the Head of Research Programmes. The temporary supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the programme of supervisions continues as scheduled.

3.1.9 Progress Review For full-time students, once a term a formal Progress Review will take place with his

or her Programme or Pathway Leader, which will reflect on overall progress against individual and programme aims. Students will receive a written summary of this meeting within 15 working days.


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3.1.10 External Examiners

3.1.10.1 The Role of the External Examiner The role of the External Examiner is to ensure that the:




3.1.10.2 Criteria for Appointment An External Examiner’s academic/professional qualifications should be appropriate



postgraduate level, the application should be supported by either:• other external examining experience• extensive internal examining experience• other relevant and recent experience likely to support the External Examiner role.


contexts. There must not be reciprocal external examining between courses in the College and another institution or replacement of an External Examiner by another individual from the same institution. External Examiners should not have previous close involvement with the College which might compromise their objectivity. Over the last three years a proposed External Examiner should not have been a member of staff, a member of the Council, a student or a near relative of a member of staff or an examiner for another Masters course in the College. For a joint course or dual award, the External Examiner should not have been a staff member of the host programme of the partner institution during the last three years. External Examiners should not normally hold more than the equivalent of two substantial examining appointments or three smaller appointments at the same time.



3.1.10.3 Length of Appointment The normal term of office of an External Examiner will be three years. The


3.1.10.4 External Examiners’ Reports External Examiners are required to report annually to the Pro-Rector


is meeting its stated objectives and to make any necessary improvements, either


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immediately or at the next review of the course as appropriate. External Examiners are also asked to comment under the following headings


In the final year of appointment External Examiners are invited to provide a brief overview report on developments in the course during their term of office. These reports are required by the end of the first week of the summer vacation.




3.1.10.5 Termination of External Examiner Appointments The appointment of an External Examiner may be terminated by the Senate if the


Reasons for termination could include:• provision of false information• failure to provide reports on the examination process required by the College• a change in the External Examiner’s circumstances which brings about • potential conflicts of interest which might jeopardise objectivity• persistent refusal to work within the College’s Academic Regulations.

3.1.11 Deferral of Examination On recommendation of the head of programme, the ABCD may agree that the




the submission.

3.1.12 Requirements for Submission of Independent Research Project The submission could take two forms:

• Thesis route: Students are required to submit a 12,000 – 15,000 thesis that defines a research question, outlines the research methodology and theoretical context, presents and discusses the results and offers robust conclusions.

• Practice route: Students are required to submit an original work of art, design or communication (including critical and curatorial works) as well as a shorter thesis (of at least 4,000 words) that defines the purpose of the work, outlines its theoretical and technical context, and articulates the contribution it has made to advancing knowledge. Students are expected to articulate the number of written words and number of projects they will be assessed


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against. On final submission, students will be expected to be within 10% of those agreed limits.

Students will also be expected to submit a 1,500 – 2,000 word supporting statement

that reflects on the process of developing, managing and communicating the results of a research project, and an updated professional development plan that specifies on-going goals.

3.1.13 Interim Examination

3.1.13.1 Role of Interim Examination Boards Students will undergo interim examination at the end of the Autumn and Spring

terms. Students will be required to submit a portfolio of work for assessment, however the outcome of this assessment can only be confirmed by the Final Examination Board.

The Board must take into account any information provided by a student on the adverse effect of illness or other factors on examination performance. On the recommendation of the Interim Examination Board and with the approval of the ABCD, a student whose work is not satisfactory will be set, in writing, a specific programme of work to be submitted for examination at the following examination board. Depending on the nature of the referral project an earlier referral date may be agreed by the programme team. If this work is not satisfactory, the student’s course will be terminated forthwith. All students are allowed access to their Interim Examination Forms in order to be able to discuss then with their Tutors.

3.1.13.2 Membership of Interim Examination Board The minimum composition for an Interim Examinaion Board will be as follows:

• the Head of Research Programmes, Dean/Associate Dean, or a member of the academic staf, at senior tutor level or above, nominated by the Head of Research Programmes


3.1.13.3 Appeals Appeals against a decision of an Examination Board may be considered under the

procedure specified in Regulation 21 of the General Regulations

3.1.14 Final Examination

3.1.14.1 Final Examination A Final Examination Board is convened to enable students to demonstrate that they

have fulfilled the objectives of the programme of study and that they have achieved the standard for the award of a Master of Research degree. Students may only be examined on the degree for which they have been registered.

The Final Examination will be in two parts: • Viva-voce, which takes place following submission of the independent research

project• Final Examination Board, chaired by the head of programme, which will be held to

recommend results to the Academic Board for Concessions & Discipline following viva-voce.

Only the Senate or the ABCD acting on behalf of the Senate has the authority to award the Master of Research degree, to permit a student to re-submit his or her work for re-examination or to fail a student. The deliberations of the Final Examination Board are confidential to the Board and the ABCD.

Notes to designers- Updated title and date span on both front page and in

headers throughout - check you’re happy with justification

- p6 blank - delete?- chapter numbers not in order - check- moved term dates - update pages in index?- p 22, 28, 30, 40, 47, 50, 63, 97 100- particularly bad

widow/orphans, but please check throughout.- p 51, 4.8.4: following the colon text should be formatted

as three bullet points:

… appointed external consultant:the head of programme from the lead programme[…]the head of programme from the sec on programme[…]an additional member of the[…]- F&R fr double spaces throughout

Notes to LucyDevelopment - changed name and title of Sarah McMinn’s

maternity replacement to Trusts & Foundations Manager: Sanjivan Kholi p 13

Head of Programme, Interior Design - check whether Ab Rogers should be listed p 13

IDE and GID - add in Imperial Heaf of Programme name? p 14

Is Drawing Studio administered under School of Fine Art? p7 & 14

Comment on p 29 - the final bullet point shouldn’t be a bullet point, but regular text

Check with Mike - is Occupational Health still managed by Imperial College?

p 99 - confusing fragment about Act 1998 at the end of paragraph on ‘The Registrar’

Back pages - currently say ‘Designed by Antonio Bertossi & Esa Matinvesi — RCA over illustration: Tom Radclyffe — RCA’. It might be more useful to describe designers/illustrators as alumni, i.e. (MA Visual Communication 2014), ‘RCA’ is a bit ambiguous.


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3.1.14.2 Membership of Final Examination Boards The Final Examination Board will be constituted as follows:

• The head of programme • A dean/associate dean or pathway leader• A member of academic staff at senior tutor level or above nominated by the head of

programme (Chair) who is not from the students’ associated School (and has been approved by the Director of Research and Innovation)

• external Examiner(s).

3.1.14.3 Responsibilities of Students It is the student’s responsibility to decide when to submit within his or her period of

registration, taking due account of the opinion of his or her supervisor(s), which is advisory only. Students must attend examinations and submit work for assessment as required. and provide the examiners in advance of their meeting with any relevant information on personal circumstances which may have affected their performance and which they wish the examiners to take into account (for further information please refer to the Extenuating Circumstances Procedure). All students will be required to take an oral examination lasting not more than two hours. If this time is to be exceeded, the student should be offered a 15-minute break, and an explanation for the extended examination should be made by the Chair of the Examination Board and appended to the Examiner’s Report.

If a student fails to attend for examination or to submit work for assessment without

good cause, the examiners have the authority to deem the student to have failed the examination. If a student is found to have cheated or attempted to gain an unfair advantage, the examiners have the authority to deem the student to have failed part or all of the assessments and the authority to determine whether or not the student should be permitted to be re-assessed.

3.1.14.4 Responsibilities of the Boards Each member of the Board has an equal voice in the deliberations, oral examination

and final decision. However, without the agreement of the External Examiner, the award of the degree may not be recommended and must be referred to the ABCD acting on behalf of the Senate.

The consideration of studio work or any other form of exhibited practice, should not

take place more than six weeks before the viva voce. After the viva voce, the Examination Board will make one of the following

recommendations:• the student passes the Final Examination• the student passes the Final Examination, subject to minor revisions being made,

to the satisfaction of the Chair of the Examination Board. Such amendments should be completed within three months.

• the student is referred for re-submission within 12 months and is to be re-examined as follows:

• the Independent Research Project must be revised substantially and if deemed satisfactory by the Examination Board, the candidate will be exempt from further oral examination

• the Independent Research Project must be revised substantially and the candidate must undergo a further oral examination

• the student fails the Final Examination and is not permitted to be re-examined. If the student has been permitted to re-submit in the next academic term, full details

of the re-submission requirements, including a precise timetable, supervision requirements and whether, exceptionally, any access to College resources is to be allowed, will be provided to the student in writing by the Chair of the Examination Board. No further re-submission may be made. The Board must take into account any


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information provided by a student on the adverse effect of illness or other factors on examination performance. An Aegrotat may be recommended when a Board of Examiners does not have enough evidence of the student’s performance to be able to recommend the award for which the student was a candidate, but is satisfied that but for illness or other valid cause the student would have reached the standard required. If a student is unable, through disability, to be assessed by the normal methods, a Board of Examiners may vary those as appropriate, bearing in mind the objectives of the research programme and the need to assess the student on equal terms with other students.

Where a Final Examination Board is convened after the last meeting of the Senate for the academic year concerned, the Senate may authorise the ABCD to act on the Senate’s behalf.

The proceedings of Final Examination Boards are confidential.

3.1.14.5 Particular Responsibilities of Individual Members of the Boards The Chair is responsible for ensuring that the composition of the Board and the

conduct of the examination comply with the Regulations and must ensure a fair and open presentation of the student’s work and other information where appropriate.



3.2 DEGREE OF MASTER OF RESEARCH HEALTHCARE & DESIGN

3.2.1 Eligibility for Registration Applicants must normally have obtained a good relevant undergraduate degree or

an equivalent qualification. The College recognises as an equivalent qualification any degree, diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualification awarded by a university or other higher education establishment, where the award is made following the successful completion of a course of at least three years’ study, the programme of research being open, as a general rule, only to persons holding a certificate awarded on the successful completion of a full course of upper secondary education.






3.2.2 Length of Programme The normal period of study of courses is two years part-time. The period of study is

equivalent to one year full-time. Applicants may apply to the head of programme for deferral of a place normally for one academic year.

The ABCD is empowered to make judgements about the extent to which qualifications


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or experience gained elsewhere may be accepted in partial fulfilment of its requirement for a given award.

3.2.3 Standard of Award The standard of the Master of Research degree MRes (RCA) is that expected of an

Honours graduate who has successfully completed a programme of study in a field for which prior knowledge and skills have provided an appropriate foundation.

Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to produce independent work at an advanced level, much of which is at or near the forefront of the discipline and demonstrates a creative, imaginative, innovative and individual approach to conduct research through a programme of structured learning.

Students will be able to initiate and develop project ideas which offer them challenges in terms of learning, understanding, research and articulation at an advanced level, and will demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary practice and methods of enquiry. Students will acquire an advanced level of appropriate research and presentation skills, as well as technical (where appreciate). Students will be able to engage in focused, independent and self-motivated learning, research and practice, and will demonstrate understanding of the professional contexts in which they might work beyond graduation and the ability and motivation to continue to develop their knowledge and skills.

3.2.4 Admissions Boards

3.2.4.1 Role of Admissions Boards The purpose of an Admissions Board is to assess a candidate’s suitability for a


No candidate may be offered a place without undertaking an interview. The interview may be conducted in a variety of ways. Normally the interview will be in person with the Admissions Board. Interviews using video conferencing, Skype or with a single designated member of the Admissions Board are however also permissible. The recommendations to offer a place may be made only by a properly constituted Admissions Board having reviewed the application forms and the applicant’s work.

In any case where it can be shown that an applicant has submitted work which is not his or her own, as if it was his or her own, or it transpires that the level of

involvement in joint work has been seriously exaggerated, or where false statements have been made on an application form or other document considered by an Admissions Board, the applicant may be disqualified.

3.2.4.2 Membership of Admissions Boards The minimum composition of an Admissions Board is as follows:

• the head of programme or one member of academic staff, at senior tutor level or above, or an academic-facing member of Senior Management Team (Chair).





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Where an Admissions Board does not include a member of the School to which the applicant has applied, the formal offer of a place must be confirmed by the dean of the admitting School.

It is the responsibility of the Chair of the Admissions Board to ensure that the rights

and responsibilities of the Board are known to each member and to ensure that the names and signature of all members who have participated in the admissions procedure appear on the results form. The Chair of the Admissions Board shall have the final say in the selection of candidates to be recommended to the dean of school for the offer of a place. The dean of school is required to approve all admissions board results for recommendation to Academic Board for Concessions and Student Discipline.

3.2.5 Tutorial Support Each student will be assigned a personal tutor whose role is to:


• meet with the student on a regular basis (a minimum of once a term) to:• provide advice and guidance on academic issues referring the student to

other colleagues, if necessary• provide pastoral support, referring the student to other areas of the

College or external agencies for help, if necessary• ensure that there are regular documented reports on progress. Students will

receive one personal tutorial and associated progress report, in terms one, two, and three; a post-examination tutorial and associated progress reports; and a tutorial and associated progress report in preparation for their Final Examination.


A visiting lecturer may fulfil the role of the student’s personal tutor provided that he or she is employed by the College for more than 15 days per year.

Tutorial discussions should include constructive and critical feedback, advice and guidance on the student’s work, the standard that is required and relevant resources, preparation for the Independent Research Project, and developing an understanding of the students’ research field. Tutorial reports should incorporate overall progress against the aims and objectives of the course and a summary of the actions agreed. Students have access to all written reports on their academic progress.

3.2.6 Termination of Study Other than failure at progression boards or Final Examination a student whose work or


3.2.7 Transfer between Programmes of Study It may be possible for a student to transfer to another MRes programme or pathway

of study subject to confirmation that the student’s programme of study to date provides a suitable basis for progression to the new programme. Transfer requests will normally be considered by the end of the Autumn term, and must be approved by ABCD. A form for transfer requests is available on the intranet under Academic Forms with the approval of ABCD.

3.2.8 Research Project Healthcare & Design students are required at the end of their programme to complete

a Research Project to the satisfaction of thehead of programme. A student who fails


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to meet this requirement will not be awarded a Master of Research. A student may only be referred once. The project must be a minimum of10,000 and a maximum of 15,000 words in length, and is accompanied by an oral examination. The project must be typewritten in English and two original copies must be submitted. Any project submitted which is over the maximum word length will be referred.

The Independent Research Project will be supervised by a member of staff from within the pathway’s School. The selection of a supervisor will be the responsibility of the Pathway Leader. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain contact with his or her supervisor. Although the conduct of the research project is primarily the student’s responsibility, the supervisor will advise the student in planning, strategic thinking and generation of ideas.

During the course of study, if a student’s supervisor is unable to undertake supervisory duties for more than one month, it is the responsibility of the head of programme to nominate a temporary supervisor during this time. This nomination must be approved by the Head of Research Programmes. The temporary supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the programme of supervisions continues as scheduled.

3.2.9 Progress Review Once a term a formal Progress Review will take place with a student’s Programme or

Pathway Leader, which will reflect on overall progress against individual and programme aims. Students will receive a written summary of this meeting within 15 working days.

3.2.10 External Examiners

3.2.10.1 The Role of the External Examiner The role of the External Examiner is to ensure that the:




3.2.10.2 Criteria for Appointment An External Examiner’s academic/professional qualifications should be appropriate



postgraduate level, the application should be supported by either:• other external examining experience• extensive internal examining experience• other relevant and recent experience likely to support the External Examiner role.


contexts. There must not be reciprocal external examining between courses in the College and another institution or replacement of an External Examiner by another individual from the same institution. External Examiners should not have previous


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close involvement with the College which might compromise their objectivity. Over the last three years a proposed External Examiner should not have been a member of staff, a member of the Council, a student or a near relative of a member of staff or an examiner for another Masters course in the College. For a joint course or dual award, the External Examiner should not have been a staff member of the host programme of the partner institution during the last three years. External Examiners should not normally hold more than the equivalent of two substantial examining appointments or three smaller appointments at the same time.



3.2.10.3 Length of Appointment The normal term of office of an External Examiner will be three years. The


3.2.10.4 External Examiners’ Reports External Examiners are required to report annually to the Pro-Rector


is meeting its stated objectives and to make any necessary improvements, either immediately or at the next review of the course as appropriate.

External Examiners are also asked to comment under the following headings


In the final year of appointment External Examiners are invited to provide a brief overview report on developments in the course during their term of office. These reports are required by the end of the first week of the summer vacation.




3.2.10.5 Termination of External Examiner Appointments The appointment of an External Examiner may be terminated by the Senate if the


Reasons for termination could include:• provision of false information• failure to provide reports on the examination process required by the College• a change in the External Examiner’s circumstances which brings about • potential conflicts of interest which might jeopardise objectivity• persistent refusal to work within the College’s Academic Regulations.


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the submission.

3.2.12 Requirements for Submission of Research Project Students are required to submit a 10,000 – 15,000 thesis that defines a design

project with the aim of producing a concept or solution to a challenge.

3.2.13 Interim Examination

3.2.13.1 Role of Interim Examination Boards Students will undergo interim examination during the Summer term. Students will be

required to submit a portfolio of work for assessment, however the outcome of this assessment can only be confirmed by the Final Examination Board.

The Board must take into account any information provided by a student on the adverse effect of illness or other factors on examination performance. On the recommendation of the Interim Examination Board and with the approval of the ABCD, a student whose work is not satisfactory will be set, in writing, a specific programme of work to be submitted for examination at the following examination board. Depending on the nature of the referral project an earlier referral date may be agreed by the programme team. If this work is not satisfactory, the student’s course will be terminated forthwith. All students are allowed access to their Interim Examination Forms in order to be able to discuss then with their Tutors.

3.2.13.2 Membership of Interim Examination Board The minimum composition for an Interim Examinaion Board will be as follows:

• the head of programme, dean/associate dean, or a member of the academic staf, at senior tutor level or above, nominated by the head of research programmes



procedure specified in Regulation 21 of the General Regulations

3.2.14 Final Examination 3.2.14.1 Final Examination Stage One - Final Examination Board

3.2.14.1.1 Status of Final Examination Boards Final Examination Boards are convened to enable students to demonstrate that they

have fulfilled the objectives of the programme of study and that they have achieved the standard for the award of a Master of Research degree. Students may only be examined on the degree for which they have been registered. The Final Examination Board will consider any extenuating circumstances which a student wishes them to take into account in their assessment, and will make recommendations to the School Examination Board

The deliberations of the Final Examination Board are confidential to the Board, the

School Examination Board and the ABCD.


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3.2.14.1.2 Membership of Final Examination Board The normal composition of the Final Examination Board Examination Board will be:

• the head of programme, Dean/ Associate Dean or a member of the academic staff - at senior tutor level or above - nominated by the dean (chair);

• one tutor/senior tutor from the programme• the student’s personal tutor where he or she is not otherwise a member of the Final

Examination Board.

3.2.14.1.3 Conduct of Final Examination Each student will recieve a viva voce, conducted by the Final Examination Board. An

External Examiner will be present for the vivas of, as a minimum, three students, or 10% of the cohort to be assessed, whichever is greater. Programmes with formal pathways should provide External Examiners with a minimum three students or 10% sample from each pathway. The External Examiner is able to view any work they request. All interim and final examination forms will be made available to the External Examiner. Internal Moderators will be present for one day of examinations. Vivas should be conducted in a quiet area, with no interruptions, and will last a minimum of 30 minutes.

3.2.14.2 Final Examination Stage Two - School Examination Board

3.2.14.2.1 Status of School Examination Board School Examination Boards are convened to agree the pass list for each programme,

and to recommend final examination results to ABCD for ratification.

Only the Senate or the ABCD acting on behalf of the Senate has the authority to award the Master of Research degree, to permit a student to re-submit his or her work for re-examination or to fail a student. The deliberations of the School Examination Board are confidential to the Board and the ABCD. Within two days of the meeting of the School Examination Board the head of programme or personal tutor should inform the student of the Board’s recommendation to the ABCD.

3.2.14.2.2 Membership of School Examination Board The normal composition of a School Assessment Examination Board will be:

• Dean of School (chair);• heads of programme • External Examiner(s)

3.2.14.2.3 Conduct of School Examination Board Following the Final Examination the School Examintation Board will convene to agree

the pass list for each programme and recommend the results to the Academic Board for Concessions and Discipline. The School Examination Board will discuss any exenuating circumstances claims and agree the action to be taken where they are agreed, and will approve the programme of work for referred students. The programme of work for referred students should be achievable within the specified timeframe.

3.2.14.3 Internal Moderators An Internal Moderator is appointed by the Senate on the recommendation of the

Academic Standards Committee following the nomination by the head of programme. The Internal Moderator must be a member of the academic staff of a School other than that within which the course is located. Internal Moderators must not have taught on the programme of study for which they are appointed as Moderator.

The Internal Moderator is not required to make a judgement on the quality of the

students’ work. The role of the Moderator is to ensure that there are appropriate mechanisms in place for the objective and impartial assessment of students’ work


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and to ensure comparability of examination practices between programmes within the College.

Internal Moderators are required to report to the Pro-Rector by the

end of the first week of the summer vacation commenting on:• the assessment process: was the assessment process fair, consistent

and appropriate? • were the assessment criteria applied as described in the Programmeal Handbook?• examples of good practice• any other comments.

Moderators are appointed for one year. The appointment is renewable for one

further year.

3.2.14.4 Responsibilities of Students Students must attend examinations and submit work for assessment as required and

provide the examiners in advance of their meeting with any relevant information on personal circumstances which may have affected their performance and which they wish the examiners to take into account.


good cause, the examiners have the authority to deem the student to have failed the examinations.

If a student is found to have cheated or attempted to gain an unfair advantage,

the examiners have the authority to deem the student to have failed part or all of the assessments and the authority to determine whether or not the student should be permitted to be re-assessed.

3.2.14.5 Responsibilities of the Boards Each member of the Final Examination Board and School Examination Board has an

equal voice in the deliberations, oral examination and final decision. However, without the agreement of the External Examiner, the award of the degree may not be recommended and must be referred to the ABCD acting on behalf of the Senate. In such circumstances, the External Examiner will be asked to provide a written report for the ABCD. Where possible, the Board shall reach a unanimous decision to recommend the student for a Master of Research degree, or that the student shall fail. A student who fails the Final Examination for the Master of Research degree outright will not be allowed to re-submit. In exceptional circumstances, and then only on the unanimous recommendation of the Final Examination Board and with the approval of the ABCD, a student may be referred and be permitted to re-submit his or her work for re-examination.

Each Final Examination Board and School Examination Board should judge the work

of the student against the assessment criteria for that programme of study. Referral would be the appropriate decision where at the first attempt a candidate was assessed as a borderline fail.

The degree of failure should normally be no greater than that which could be retrieved within one term. In considering whether referral should be granted the candidate’s past studentship should be taken into account. Where a candidate is assessed as requiring considerably more than one term’s additional work to retrieve the failure the appropriate decision should be failure without the opportunity for re-submission and re-assessment.

A referral submission must be within 12 months of the first submission and in the

form prescribed by the head of programme and approved by the ABCD. Referred students should receive at least one tutorial during their referral period. Full details of


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the re-submission requirement - including a suitable timeframe and, exceptionally, detailing any further access to College resources - will be provided to the student in writing. No further re-submission may be made.

The Final Examination Board must consider any evidence of exenuating circumstances submitted by a student and make recommendations to the School Examination Board. An Aegrotat may be recommended when a School Examination Board does not have enough evidence of the student’s performance to be able to recommend the award for which the student was a candidate, but is satisfied that, but for illness or other valid cause, the student would have reached the standard required. If a student is unable, through disability, to be assessed by the normal methods, a Final Examination Board may make suitable adjustments, bearing in mind the objectives of the programme and the need to assess the student on equal terms with other students.

Where a School Examination Board is convened after the last meeting of the Senate

for the academic year concerned, the Senate may authorise the ABCD to act on the Senate’s behalf.

The proceedings of Final Examination Boards and School Examination Boards are

confidential.

3.2.14.6 Particular Responsibilities of Individual Members of the Boards The Chair of a Final Examination Board or School Examination Board is responsible

for ensuring that the composition of the Final Examination Board or School Examination Board and the conduct of the examination comply with the Regulations and must ensure a fair and open presentation of the student’s work and other information where appropriate. The Chair is also responsible for making the student’s Critical & Historical Studies dissertation available to the Board (where applicable). The External Examiner(s) must ensure that at least parity of standards has been achieved compared with work from other institutions.

The External Examiner(s) and the Internal Moderator have the further responsibilities

of ensuring that the student is fairly dealt with by the Board

3.2.14.7 Conduct of Examinations Chairs of Final Examination Boards should arrange for examinations to be conducted

in a quiet area with no interruptions. The Final Examination Board should meet before the start of the examination

process to note the assessment criteria and to confirm the role of each member of the Board.

In briefing the Final Examination Board the Chair should remind members that

Critical & Historical Studies dissertations are available for information but do not form part of the Final Examination process having already been assessed and externally moderated.

When the student arrives the Chair should introduce members of the Final

Examination Board, provide a brief outline of the examination process to confirm the student’s understanding of the procedures and explain the role of the External Examiner and Internal Moderator.

At the end of the School Examination Board all members should sign the examination

results list issued by the Registry. Signing the list signifies agreement with the results. No member of the Board should sign the list in advance.

The Chair of the School Examination Board is responsible for ensuring that a

consensus decision is recorded. Any dispute must be referred to the ABCD.


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3.2.14.8 Appeals Appeals against a decision of the School Examination Board may be considered under

the procedure specified in Regulation 21 of the General Regulations.

4 DEGREE OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY

4.1 Eligibility for Registration Applicants must normally have obtained a good relevant undergraduate degree or

an equivalent qualification. The College recognises as an equivalent qualification any degree, diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualification awarded by a university or other higher education establishment, where the award is made following the successful completion of a course of at least three years’ study, the programme of research being open, as a general rule, only to persons holding a certificate awarded on the successful completion of a full course of upper secondary education.




the English language. Candidates who do not speak English as their first language will be required to provide evidence that within the previous two years they have achieved an IELTS exam score of at least 6.5 with 6.5 in writing.


4.2 Registration Periods The minimum and maximum registration periods for the degrees of MPhil

and PhD are: MPhil

• Full-time minimum registration period 2 academic years*• Full-time maximum registration period 3 academic years• Part-time minimum registration period 4 academic years• Part-time maximum registration period 6 academic years

*MPhil candidates can apply for examination for their award at a minimum of 1 year full-time registration in exceptional circumstances. Submission for examination at the end of year 1 requires approval by ABCD.

Transfer from MPhil to PhD• Full-time minimum registration period 3 academic years, of which at least 1 year

should be PhD registration• Full-time maximum registration period 4 academic years, of which at least 2 years

should be PhD registration inclusive of Continuation Status• Part-time minimum registration period 6 academic years of which 4 years should

be PhD registration • Part-time maximum registration period 8 academic yearsof which at least 6 years

should be PhD registration inclusive of Continuation Status.

Where a candidate is prevented because of ill-health or other circumstances from making progress with the programme of research, the registration may be suspended by the ABCD but not for more than one year at a time.


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4.3 Standard of Award The standard of the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil (RCA)) is that expected

of a good Honours graduate who has investigated and evaluated or critically studied an approved topic or existing field of knowledge over not less than the equivalent of two years of full-time study and has demonstrated an ability to make a critical assessment of knowledge or understanding in the field of research and has presented and defended creative work and/or a thesis by oral examination to the satisfaction of the examiners.

In order to achieve this standard, the candidate will have demonstrated:

Key Attributes relating to evidence of the: • ability to make a critical assessment of knowledge or understanding in the field

of research• ability to articulate research aims and objectives in the field of research• contribution of the MPhil to the advancement of knowledge and understanding • standards of appropriate independent research practice (including the ethics

of experimental techniques used in the research and relevant health and safety issues)

• (where appropriate) clear structural and intellectual links between the textual and practical components of the project.

Research Skills, Techniques and Management relating to evidence of the ability to: • identify and access appropriate bibliographical resources, archives and other

sources of relevant information• analyse, contextualise, evaluate and develop theoretical concepts and/or

methodologies or technical skills for the research field• write in appropriate style and to construct coherent arguments and articulate ideas

(oral, written and visual)• defend and expand/elaborate research outcomes at seminars and viva

voce examinations • contextualise the research at national and international levels, and to keep up

to date with recent advances within the particular research field.

Professional Skills relating to evidence of the ability to:• manage time and resources• understand the transferable nature of research skills to other environments• understand the process of academic, cultural or commercial dissemination

of research results.


4.4.1 Role of Admissions Boards The role of the Admissions Boards is to conduct the Entrance Examination of the

candidates from whom applications have been received by the Registrar in a fair and just manner and to recommend to the ABCD the candidates to whom they wish places to be offered by the Registrar. No candidate may be offered a place without attending an interview. The student’s programme of study will normally commence only at the start of the autumn term.

The admission of each student to the College should be based on a reasonable

expectation that the student will be able to fulfil the objectives of the research programme and achieve the standard required for the academic award and that appropriate facilities and supervision are available.

In any case where it can be shown that an applicant has submitted work that is not his

or her own, as if it were his or her own, or it transpires that the level of involvement in


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joint work has been seriously exaggerated, or where false statements have been made on an application form or other document considered by an Admissions Board, the applicant will be disqualified. The College has policies to allow research students from and to another university to register and complete their studies. Please see ‘Procedure for Transfer from Another University’ on Space under ‘Research Forms’.

4.4.2 Membership of Admissions Boards The minimum composition of an Admissions Board is as follows:

• the Dean/ Associate Dean or a member of academic staff, at senior tutor level or above, nominated by the Dean (chair).

• a member of the academic staff with experience of research supervision• one research degree student or MPhil or PhD alumni

More than one student may serve on the Admissions Board but only one student may attend at any one time.

Where the Chair is expected to be appointed as a supervisor of a candidate, an

additional member of the academic staff should be appointed to the Board. The duties and responsibilities of the student member do not differ from those of any

other member of the Admissions Board except that, in the event of there being a vote, the student shall not vote.

All staff members of the Admissions Board must have undertaken a training

programme in selection interviewing approved by the HR Department. The Chair of the Admissions Board shall have the final say in the selection of the

candidates to be recommended for the offer of a place. It is the responsibility of the Chair of each Admissions Board to ensure that the rights and responsibilities of the Board are known to each member before every meeting of the Board and to ensure that the names of all members who have participated in the Entrance Examination procedure appear on the form recommending candidates to be offered places.

4.4.3 Membership of Admissions Boards Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design The minimum composition of an Admissions Board is as follows:

• The dean/ associate dean or member of academic staff at or above senior tutor level nominated by the Dean (chair)

• one senior research fellow• one research fellow• one research associate or Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design research student

4.4.4 Membership of Admissions Board Jointly Registered Students The minimum composition of an Admissions Board is as follows:

• the Dean/ Associate Dean or member of academic staff, at senior tutor level or above, nominated by the Dean (chair);

• the head of programme from the second programme or member of academic staff, at senior tutor level or above, nominated by the head of programme.


programme in selection interviewing approved by the HR Department. Both members of the Board must be qualified to supervise and/ examine research degrees.

In addition to the core membership of the Board the Chair may choose to invite one

research degree student to join the Admissions Board. More than one student may serve on the Admissions Board but only one may attend at any one time.

The lead programme is defined as the programme which will be responsible

for arranging interim, transfer and final examinations in consultation with the


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second programme.

4.5 Supervision and Attendance Each MPhil student will be supervised by a member of staff from within the school.

The selection of the supervisor(s) will be the responsibility of the dean of school, who will also arrange for external consultation or contributory supervision where the necessary expertise cannot be found within the College. Internal primary supervisors of research degree students are required either to have substantial previous supervisory experience or to undertake the Research Supervisors Training Course (or an equivalent training course ratified by the Research, Knowledge Exchange & Innovation Committee).

During the course of study, if a student’s supervisor is unable to undertake

supervisory duties for more than one month, it is the responsibility of the head of programme to nominate a temporary supervisor during this time. This nomination must be approved by the Director of Research & Innovation. The temporary supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the programme of supervisions continues as scheduled.

It is the responsibility of the student to maintain contact with his or her supervisor(s)

and register with the College on an annual basis, at the start of the new academic year. If a student fails to register with the College by the end of the autumn term each year, he or she will be deemed to have withdrawn.

A programme of supervisory meetings will be agreed between the supervisor

and student. The supervisor should meet the student for tutorials, at which formal feedback will be given to the student, at least six times a year or in the case of part-time students at least three times a year.

The tutorials should be orientated towards milestones of achievement, but will

also incorporate critical comments, advice and guidance on the student’s work, the standard that is required and relevant resources.

Following each formal supervisory session the student and his or her supervisory

team must complete a Supervision Tutorial Log (PDP1) recording an assessment of achievements and agreed objectives relating to academic progress and skills development, to be completed prior to the next review. The supervisor must retain the original form and the student must retain a copy. A Training Needs Analysis (PDP2) must be completed at the first supervisory session of each academic year and reviewed as part of the Interim Examination.

Although the conduct of the research project is primarily the student’s responsibility,

the supervisor will advise the student in planning, strategic thinking and generation of ideas. After the first year, the student is expected to take the initiative and responsibility also for these elements of his or her project. Students have access to all written reports on their academic progress.

Students may attend in full-time or part-time mode of study. Full-time students are

advised that they should devote on average at least 35 hours per week to their research. 4.6 Research Methods Course All students registered for the degree of MPhil must attend a course in Research

Methods unless an exemption is agreed in advance by the ABCD. The Research Methods Course takes place each Wednesday during term time and all MPhil and PhD students are required to attend at least 80 per cent of the sessions. The Research Methods Course has three mandatory components:


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1 research Abstract (500 words maximum)2 research Proposal 3 research Presentation during the spring term.

Fulfilment of all three mandatory components is a condition of passing the

Interim Examination.

Other than failure at Interim or Final Examination a student whose work or conduct is unsatisfactory will be entitled to receive a written warning which will be referred to

the ABCD. Two written warnings will render a student liable to the termination of his or her studies.


4.7.1 Role of Interim Examination Boards There will be a formal Interim Examination of each student’s work (part-time and

full-time students) which must have taken place by the end of May each year, other than the final year, and only those students whose progress is accepted by the ABCD as being satisfactory will be permitted to proceed to the next year. The Examination will focus on the progress of the research programme as agreed by the ABCD, including consideration of each student’s individual Training Needs Analysis. Following the Interim Examination the head of programme will make a report to the ABCD.

The Board must take into account any information provided by a student on

the adverse effect of illness or other factors on examination performance. On the recommendation of the Interim Examination Board and with the approval of the ABCD, a student whose work is not satisfactory will be set, in writing, a specific programme of work to be submitted for examination not later than 14 September of that year. If this work is not satisfactory, the student’s registration will be terminated forthwith. Following the Interim Examination, the students will each receive their Interim Examination forms in order to be able to discuss them with their supervisor and tutors.

4.7.2 Membership of Interim Examination Boards The minimum composition for an Interim Examination Board will be as follows

and the Board may seek advice from any appointed external consultant: • the dean/ associate dean or a member of the academic staff, at senior level, tutor

level or above, nominated by the Dean (chair); • one tutor/senior tutor from the programme, who is not part of the

supervisory team• the student’s supervisor(s).

Where the head of programme is, or has been, the supervisor of the student being

examined, the Examination Board should be chaired by another head of programme, or a senior tutor from another programme who is an experienced Research supervisor. It is the responsibility of the Chair of the Examination Board to ensure that correct procedure and standards are adhered to, both during and after the examination, and that the Research Office is informed of the result of the examination.

4.7.3 Membership of Interim Examination Boards Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design The minimum composition for an Interim Examination Board will be as follows

and the Board may seek advice from any appointed external consultant: • the Dean/ Associate Dean or member of academic staff at senior tutor level or

above, nominated by the Dean (chair); • one senior research fellow who is not part of the supervisory team• the student’s supervisor(s).


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4.7.4 Membership of Interim Examination Boards Jointly Registered Students The minimum composition for an Interim Examination Board will be as follows and

the Board may seek advice from any appointed external consultant: • the head of programme from the lead programme, Dean/ Associate Dean,

Research Leader or member of academic staff at senior tutor level or above, nominated by the Dean who is not part of the supervisory team (chair); the chair should be an experienced research supervisor; the head of programme from the second programme or member of academic staff, at senior level or above, nominated by the head of programme who is not part of the supervisory team;

• the student’s supervisor(s).

The lead programme is defined as the programme which will be responsible for arranging interim, transfer and final examinations and other administrative requirements in consultation with the second programme. Consequently, for administrative and resource allocation, the arrangement will be determined as 60/40 between the lead and second programmes respectively.

4.7.5 Appeals Appeals against a decision of an Examination Board may be considered under

the procedure specified in Regulation 21 of the General Regulations. 4.8 Transfer Examination

4.8.1 English language requirements Candidates who do not speak English as a first language prior to the transfer

examination will be required to provide evidence that within the previous two years they have achieved an IELTS exam score of at least 7.0 with an additional score of 7.0 in writing.

4.8.2 Role of the Transfer Examination Boards In order to be eligible to transfer to PhD, a student should be able to demonstrate: a

high level of competence in the development and implementation of his or her research methodology; present a case that the research has progressed to a greater focus and depth; and have formulated an hypothesis for further research which would, in the opinion of staff and external experts, be likely to produce an original contribution to knowledge. Prior to Transfer Examination, students are required to complete Part One of the Transfer Form. Transfer Examinations follow the same deadlines as for Interim Examinations.

4.8.3 Membership of Transfer Examination Boards The minimum composition of a Transfer Examination Board will be as follows and

• the Board may seek advice from any appointed external consultant:• the Dean/ Associate Dean, Research Leader, head of programme or deputy head of

programme of the examining programme (chair)• one tutor/senior tutor from the programme• the student’s supervisor(s)• an additional member of the academic staff with experience of research

supervision, from another programme or school.

Where the head of programme is, or has been, the supervisor of the student being examined, the Examination Board should be chaired by a head of programme, or a senior tutor, from another programme who is an experienced Research supervisor. In this instance the additional member of academic staff is not required. It is the responsibility of the Chair of the Examination Board to ensure that correct procedure and standards are adhered to, both during and after the examination, and that the Research Office is informed of the result of the examination.


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4.8.4 Membership of Transfer Examination Boards Jointly Registered Students The minimum composition of a Transfer Examination Board will be as follows and the Board may seek advice from any appointed external consultant:

• the head of programme from the lead programme or a member of academic staff at senior level or above nominated by the head of programme who is not part of the supervisory team (chair); the chair should be an exprienced research supervisor;

• the head of programme from the second programme or member of academic staff, at senior tutor level or above nominated by the head of programme;

• an additional member of the academic staff with experience of research supervision, from another programme or school.

Where the head of programme is, or has been, the supervisor of the student being examined, the Examination Board should be chaired by a head of programme, or a senior tutor, from another programme who is an experienced Research supervisor. In this instance the additional member of academic staff is not required. It is the responsibility of the Chair of the Examination Board to ensure that correct procedure and standards are adhered to, both during and after the examination, and that the Research Office is informed of the result of the examination.

In the case of an unsuccessful Transfer Examination, the candidate will be allowed to

be re-examined at the discretion of the Transfer Examination Board. Re-examination should take place within three months of the original examination.

4.9 Submission Requirements On completion of the programme of research the student’s submission will be

examined by a Final Examination Board.

4.9.1 MPhil by Thesis The submission for the degree MPhil by Thesis shall consist of a written thesis in

English presenting the results of research in the field of history, theory or practice of art, design or communication, supported, where appropriate, by practical work related to the research. The required length of the thesis shall be between 30,000 and 40,000 words (exclusive of footnotes, appendices and bibliography which would usually not exceed 10,000 words, illustrated as necessary and accompanied by an abstract). Any thesis which is over 40,000 words in length will be referred.

Candidates must submit to the Research Office three copies of the thesis. All

submissions must be received for assessment six weeks before the date of the examination. The work should be sent to the External Examiner no later than four weeks before the examination date.

4.9.2 MPhil by Practice The submission for the degree of MPhil by Practice shall consist of a work or group of

works of art, design or communication, presented in the form of original(s), prototype(s), scale model(s), drawings, CD-ROM, photographs, film(s), or sound and vision recording(s), together with a piece of written work in English, defining the purpose of the work, the factors taken into account in its conception and development, and explaining the results.The work submitted must demonstrate progression in knowledge or understanding in the candidate’s discipline, or in related disciplinary areas.

The length of the report and other written work shall be 5,000 to 20,000 words

(exclusive of footnotes, appendices and bibliography which would not usually exceed 10,000 words), illustrated as necessary and accompanied by an abstract. The textual and practical elements of the project should be conceived as a whole, with both aspects reaching the required standard of MPhil as outlined above. Any report which is over 20,000 words in length will be referred.

Candidates must submit to the Research Office three copies of the written element.

http://results.The


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All submissions must be received for assessment six weeks before the date of the examination. The work should be sent to the External Examiner no later than four weeks before the examination date.

4.9.3 Submission Date Prior to submission, candidates must submit a Notification of Submission Form (PG7)

to the Research Office. Following approval, candidates must submit copies of the written element for each member of the Examination Board, and their supervisors. All submissions must be received for assessment two months before the date of the examination. The work should be sent to the External Examiner no later than four weeks before the examination date.

4.9.4 Mock Examination As part of the student preparation for the viva voce, all programmes should

encourage students to participate in a ‘Mock’ MPhil Final Examination. Guidance is published in the Research Handbook.


4.10.1 The Role of the External Examiner The purpose of the External Examiner is to ensure that the:





to the student to be examined. An External Examiner must be competent in the specialised area of research and should have appropriate standing, expertise and experience to maintain the College’s academic standards. An External Examiner should have recent external examining experience or comparable related experience to indicate competence in assessing students in the subject area.

If the proposed examiner has no previous examining experience at postgraduate level,

the application should be supported by either:• other external examining experience• extensive internal examining experience• other relevant and recent experience likely to support the External Examiner role.


contexts. There must not be reciprocal external examining between the College and another institution or replacement of an External Examiner by another individual from the same institution.

External Examiners should not have previous close involvement with the College

which might compromise their objectivity. Over the last three years a proposed External Examiner should not have been a member of staff, a member of the Council, a student, or a near relative of a member of staff or have acted in a supervisory capacity to the student. Where the programme has a partnership arrangement with another institution, the External Examiner should not have been a staff member of the host programme of the partner institution during the last three years.

External Examiners are appointed by the Senate following nomination by the


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dean of school and the approval of the Director of Research & Innovation and the Academic Standards Committee. As examiners are approved in advance of the examinations, the validity of their appointment shall be considered as 12 calendar months, or upon submission of their report, whichever is sooner.

4.10.3 External Examiners’ Reports Following the receipt of the thesis/written report and comprehensive evidence of

studio work, but prior to examination, External Examiner(s) should submit written comments to the Director of Research & Innovation outlining their initial response to the work and suggesting areas to be discussed at the examination. These notes do not constitute a formal report and they are strictly confidential to the Examination Board. However, in the event of referral, information in the pre-viva reports may be incorporated (in an edited form) into the letter sent to the student to assist in the process of revision.

After the oral examination, the External Examiners each report to the Director of

Research & Innovation and Research Administrator on the performance of the student and the conduct of the examination.

1 Standards The overall performance of the student in relation to the requirements for

MPhil degrees. External Examiners are asked to pay particular attention to evidence of originality in relation to the:• research questions that have been addressed, or the area that has been

explored in the course of the research• research methodology• research context• overall performance of the student in relation to his or her peers on

comparable programmes, as far as the examiner is aware• strengths and weaknesses of the student and his or her work• quality of knowledge, innovation and skills demonstrated by the student.

2 Assessment

• The assessment procedure criteria, consistency, fairness and appropriateness of the assessment method.

3 Evidence of innovation or good practice with regard to:• presentation of the body of work• supervisory support.

In order to derive most benefit from the report, it will be available to the head of programme and supervisor(s). If an External Examiner wishes to make any comments in confidence, he or she may write separately to the Rector.

4.10.4 Termination of External Examiner Appointments The appointment of an External Examiner may be terminated by the Senate if the


Reasons for termination could include:• provision of fake information• failure to provide reports on the examination process required by the College• a change in the External Examiner’s circumstances which brings about • potential conflicts of interest which might jeopardise objectivity• persistent refusal to work within the College’s Academic Regulations.

4.11 Deferral of Examination On recommendation of the head of programme, the ABCD may agree that the

examination may be deferred. Deferral is only appropriate in the event of:


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• absence, for a valid reason, from the course/programme of study which prevented completion of the submission

• an approved late change of direction in the student’s work which prevented a complete submission

• lack of availability of specialist equipment essential for the realisation of the submission.

• In the case of an unsuccessful Transfer Examination the candidate will be allowed to be re-examined at the discretion of the Transfer Examination Board. Re-examination should take place within three months of the original examination.


4.12.1 Status of Final Examination Boards A Final Examination Board is convened to enable the student to demonstrate that he

or she has fulfilled the objectives of the programme of research and has achieved the standard for the award of Master of Philosophy. Students may only be examined on the degree for which they have been registered.

Only the Senate or the ABCD acting on behalf of the Senate has the authority to

award the Master of Philosophy, to permit a student to re-submit his or her work for re-examination or to fail a student.

4.12.2 Membership of Final Examination Boards The composition of a Final Examination Board will be:

• A Dean/ Associate Dean, head of programme or member of academic staff at senior tutor level or above nominated by the Dean (chair) who is not from the students’ School or part of the students’ supervisory team (and who has been approved by the Director of Research & Innovation)

• the External Examiners.

Optional attendance: the student’s supervisor or the head of programme may attend as an observer. The purpose of the observer’s presence is to hear the discussion related to the research so that he or she fully understands the issues raised by the examiners when supervising any requirements for additional work. The observer must be silent throughout and is not a member of the Board. The observer should attend with the candidate and should not be present at the preliminary discussion.

The membership of the Final Examination Board to consider a referral submission

should normally be identical to that which made the referral decision. The observer may attend and participate in the concluding discussion at the request of the examiners and the Chair of the Final Examination Board.

4.12.3 Responsibilities of Students It is the student’s responsibility to decide when to submit within his or her period of

registration, taking due account of the opinion of his or her supervisor(s), which is advisory only. Students must attend examinations and submit work for assessment as required. and provide the examiners in advance of their meeting with any relevant information on personal circumstances which may have affected their performance and which they wish the examiners to take into account (for further information please refer to the Extenuating Circumstances Procedure). All students will be required to take an oral examination lasting not more than two hours. If this time is to be exceeded, the student should be offered a 15-minute break, and an explanation for the extended examination should be made by the Chair of the Examination Board and appended to the Examiner’s Report.


good cause, the examiners have the authority to deem the student to have failed the examination. If a student is found to have cheated or attempted to gain an unfair


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advantage, the examiners have the authority to deem the student to have failed part or all of the assessments and the authority to determine whether or not the student should be permitted to be re-assessed.

4.12.4 Responsibilities of the Boards Each member of the Board has an equal voice in the deliberations, oral examination


The consideration of studio work or any other form of exhibited practice, should not




• the student is referred for re-submission within 12 months and is to be re- examined as follows:

• the project/thesis must be revised substantially and if deemed satisfactory by the Examination Board, the candidate will be exempt from further oral examination

• the project/thesis must be revised substantially and the candidate must undergo a further oral examination

• the student fails the Final Examination and is not permitted to be re-examined. If the student has been permitted to re-submit within 12 months, full details of the

re-submission requirements, including a precise timetable, supervision requirements and whether, exceptionally, any access to College resources is to be allowed, will be provided to the student in writing by the Chair of the Examination Board. No further re-submission may be made. The Board must take into account any information provided by a student on the adverse effect of illness or other factors on examination performance. An Aegrotat may be recommended when a Board of Examiners does not have enough evidence of the student’s performance to be able to recommend the award for which the student was a candidate, but is satisfied that but for illness or other valid cause the student would have reached the standard required. If a student is unable, through disability, to be assessed by the normal methods, a Board of Examiners may vary those as appropriate, bearing in mind the objectives of the research programme and the need to assess the student on equal terms with other students.

Where a Final Examination Board is convened after the last meeting of the Senate for

the academic year concerned, the Senate may authorise the ABCD to act on the Senate’s behalf.


4.12.5 Particular Responsibilities of Individual Members of the Boards The Chair is responsible for ensuring that the composition of the Board and the

conduct of the examination comply with the Regulations and must ensure a fair and open presentation of the student’s work and other information where appropriate. The External Examiner(s) must ensure that at least parity of standards has been achieved compared with work from other institutions. The External Examiner(s) has the further responsibility of ensuring that the student is fairly dealt with by the Board, and that the laws of natural justice prevail.


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4.13 Requirements for Copies of Final Submission Before the degree of MPhil is conferred, the student must present to the Research

Office an electronic copy of the thesis, including any non-textual elements (e.g. sound or image files), which constitute part of the submission, for lodging in the College’s digital repository. The following copyright statement should be included in each thesis: ‘This text represents the submission for the degree of Master of Philosophy at the Royal College of Art. This copy has been supplied for the purpose of research for private study, on the understanding that it is copyright material, and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement’.

Each student must provide an extract of the thesis, and complete and sign a Thesis

Deposit Agreement and a Thesis Deposit Record form. Each student must provide a digital copy of the thesis, and complete and sign a Thesis Deposit Record Form. Failure to submit a digital copy of the thesis will mean that the student cannot attend Convocation and that the degree certificate will be withheld.

5 DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

5.1 Eligibility for Registration Applicants must have a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification. Applicants

with other qualifications may be required to register for an MPhil degree in the first instance.


the English language. Candidates who do not speak English as a first language will be required to provide evidence that within the previous two years they have achieved at an IELTS exam score of at least 7 with an additional score of 7 in writing.

5.2 Registration Periods The registration periods for the degree of PhD will be as follows:

• Full-time minimum 3 academic years• Full-time maximum 4 academic years• Part-time minimum 6 academic years• Part-time maximum 8 academic years

Candidates will submit their work for examination within the registration period. Where a candidate is prevented because of ill-health or other circumstances from

making progress with the programme of research, the registration may be suspended with the agreement of the ABCD but not for more than one year at a time.

5.3 Standard of Award The standard of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD (RCA)) is that expected

of a Master’s graduate who has investigated and evaluated, or critically studied, an approved topic over not less than the equivalent of three years of full-time study resulting in an independent and original contribution to knowledge, and who has demonstrated an understanding of research methods and/or techniques and approaches in the research field or in related disciplinary areas, and has presented and defended creative work and/or a thesis, by oral examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners applying accepted contemporary international standards. The resulting body of work must be worthy of peer-reviewed publication or public presentation.


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In order to achieve this standard, the candidate will have demonstrated: Key Attributes relating to evidence of:

• originality• ability to articulate research aims and objectives in the field of research• contribution of the PhD to the advancement of knowledge and understanding • standards of appropriate independent research practice (including the

ethics of experimental techniques used in the research and relevant health and safety issues)

• (where appropriate) clear structural and intellectual links between the textual and practical components of the project.

Research Skills, Techniques and Management relating to evidence of the ability to: 1 identify and access appropriate bibliographical resources, archives and other

sources of relevant information2 analyse, contextualise, evaluate and develop theoretical concepts and/or

methodologies or technical skills for the research field3 write in an appropriate style and to construct coherent arguments and articulate

ideas (oral, written and visual)4 defend and expand/elaborate research outcomes at seminars and viva

voce examinations 5 contextualise the research at national and international levels, and to keep up to

date with recent advances within the particular research field.

Professional Skills relating to evidence of the ability to:

6 manage time and resources7 understand the transferable nature of research skills to other environments8 understand the process of academic, cultural or commercial dissemination of

research results.


5.4.1 Role of Admissions Boards The role of the Admissions Boards is to conduct the Entrance Examination of the

candidates from whom applications have been received by the Registrar in a fair and just manner and to recommend to the ABCD the candidates to whom they wish places to be offered by the Registrar. No candidate may be offered a place without attending an interview. The student’s programme of study will normally commence only at the start of the autumn term.

The admission of each student to the College should be based on a reasonable

expectation that the student will be able to fulfil the objectives of the research programme and achieve the standard required for the academic award and that appropriate facilities and supervision are available.

In any case, where it can be shown that an applicant has submitted work that is not

his or her own, as if it were his or her own, or it transpires that the level of involvement in joint work has been seriously exaggerated or where false statements have been made on an application form or other document considered by an Admissions Board, the applicant will be disqualified. The College has policies to allow research students to transfer from and to another university to register and complete their studies. Please see ‘Procedure for Transfer from Another University’ on Space under ‘Research Forms’.

5.4.2 Membership of Admission Boards The minimum composition of an Admissions Board is as follows:

• the Dean/ Associate Dean or a member of the academic staff, at senior tutor level


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or above, nominated by the Dean (chair);• a member of the academic staff with experience of research supervision• A member of the academic staff with experience of research supervision;• One tutor/ senior tutor from the programme;• One research degree student or PhD alumni.

More than one student may serve on the Admissions Board but only one student may

attend at any one time The duties and responsibilities of the student member do not differ from those of any other member of the Admissions Board except that the student shall not vote.


programme in selection interviewing approved by the HR Department. The Chair of the Admissions Board shall have the final say in the selection of

the candidates to be recommended for the offer of a place. It is the responsibility of the Chair of each Admissions Board to ensure that the rights and responsibilities of the Board are known to each member before every meeting of the Board and to ensure that the names of all members who have participated in the Entrance Examination procedure appear on the form recommending candidates to be offered places.

All members of the Board, including the student member or members who have taken

any part in the Entrance Examination, are required to sign the forms recommending candidates to be offered places. Before signing the form each member of staff or student who has at some time participated in the Entrance Examination has the opportunity to express on it his or her objection or objections to the procedure by which the final selection of a candidate or candidates was made. In the event of such an objection the ABCD shall discuss the issue with the head of programme and decide upon the appropriate action.

5.4.3 Membership of Admissions Boards Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design The minimum composition of an Admissions Board is as follows:

• the Dean/ Associate Dean, head of programme or member of academic staff at senior tutor level of above nominated by the Dean (chair);

• one senior research fellow• one research fellow• one research associate or Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design research student

5.4.4 Membership of Admissions Board Jointly Registered Students• the Dean/ Associate Dean, head of programme from the lead programme or

member of academic staff, at senior tutor level or above, nominated by the Dean (chair);

• the head of programme from teh second programme or member of academic staff, at senior tutor level or above, nominated by the head of programme.

• a member of the academic staff with experience of research supervision.

All staff members of the Admissions Board must have undertaken a training programme in selection interviewing approved by the HR Department. All members of the Board must be qualified to supervise and/ examine research degrees.

In addition to the core membership of the Board the Chair may choose to invite one

research degree student to join the Admissions Board. More than one student may serve on the Admissions Board but only one may attend at any one time.

The lead programme is defined as the programme which will be responsible for arranging

interim, transfer and final examinations in consultation with the second programme.


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5.5 Supervision and Attendance Each PhD student will be supervised by two supervisors, at least one of whom should

come from the school in which the student is based. Where appropriate it is possible to appoint an individual external to the College as a second supervisor. The role of the supervisor is detailed in the RCA Research Handbook. Internal primary supervisors of research degree students are required either to have substantial previous supervisory experience, or to undertake the Research Supervisors Training Course (or an equivalent training course ratified by the Research, Knowledge Exchange & Innovation Committee).

During the course of study, if a student’s supervisor is unable to undertake

supervisory duties for more than one month, it is the responsibility of the head of programme to nominate a temporary supervisor during this time. This nomination must be approved by the Director of Research & Innovation. The temporary supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the programme of supervisions continues as scheduled. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain contact with his or her supervisor(s) and register with the College on an annual basis, at the start of the new academic year. If a student fails to register with the College by the end of the autumn term each year, he or she will be deemed to have withdrawn.

A programme of meetings will be agreed between the supervisors and the student.

The supervisors should meet the student for tutorials, at which formal feedback will be given to the student, at least six times a year or in the case of part-time students at least three times a year.

The tutorials should be orientated towards milestones of achievement, but will also

incorporate critical comments, advice and guidance on the student’s work, the standard that is required and relevant resources. Following each formal supervisory session the student and his or her supervisory team must complete a Supervision Tutorial Log (PDP1) recording an assessment of achievements and agreed objectives relating to academic progress and skills development, to be completed prior to the next review. The supervisor must retain the original form and the student must retain a copy. A Training Needs Analysis (PDP2) must be completed at the first supervisory session of each academic year and reviewed as part of the Interim Examination.

Although the conduct of the research project is primarily the student’s responsibility,

the supervisor will advise the student in planning, strategic thinking and generation of ideas. After the first year, the student is expected to take the initiative and responsibility also for these elements of his or her project. Students have access to all written reports on their academic progress including records of each tutorial supervision.

Students may attend in full-time or part-time mode of study. Full-time students are

advised that they should devote on average at least 35 hours per week to their research.

5.6 Research Methods Course All students registered for the degree of PhD must attend a course in Research

Methods unless an exemption is agreed by the ABCD. The Research Methods Course takes place each Wednesday during term time and all MPhil and PhD students are required to attend at least 80 per cent of the sessions. The Research Methods Course has three mandatory components:1 research abstract (500 words maximum)2 research Proposal 3 research Presentation during the spring term.

Fulfilment of all three mandatory components is a condition of passing the Interim Examination.

Other than failure at Interim or Final Examination a student whose work or


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participation in the programme of study is unsatisfactory will be entitled to receive a written warning which will be referred to the ABCD. Two written warnings will render a student liable to the termination of his or her studies.


5.7.1 Role of Interim Examination Boards There will be a formal Interim Examination of each student’s work (part-time and

full-time students) which must have taken place by the end of May each year, other than the final year, and only those students whose progress is accepted by the ABCD as being satisfactory will be permitted to proceed to the next year. The Examination will focus on the progress of the research programme as agreed by the ABCD including consideration of each student’s individual Training Needs Analysis. Following the Interim Examination the head of programme will make a report to the ABCD.

The Board must take into account any information provided by a student on the

adverse effect of illness or other factors on examination performance. On the recommendation of the Interim Examination Board and with the approval of the ABCD, a student whose work is not satisfactory will be set a specific programme of work to be submitted for examination not later than 14 September of that year. If this work is not satisfactory, the student’s registration will be terminated forthwith. Following the Interim Examination, the students will each receive their Interim Examination forms in order to be able to discuss them with their supervisors.

5.7.2 Membership of Interim Examination Boards The minimum composition for an Interim Examination Board will be as follows:

• the Dean/ Associate Dean, head of programme or member of academic staff at senior tutor level or above nominated by the Dean (chair);

• one tutor/senior tutor from the programme, who is not part of the supervisory team• the student’s supervisor(s).

Where the head of programme is, or has been, the supervisor of a student being examined, the Examination Board shall be chaired by another head of programme, or a senior tutor from another programme who is an experienced Research supervisor. It is the responsibility of the Chair of the Examination Board to ensure that correct procedure and standards are adhered to, both during and after the examination, and that the Research Office is informed of the result of the examination.

5.7.3 Membership of Interim Examination Boards Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design The minimum composition for an Interim Examination Board will be as follows and the

Board may seek advice from any appointed external consultant: • the Dean/ Associate Dean, head of programme or member of academic staff at

senior tutor level or above nominated by the Dean (chair);• one senior research fellow who is not part of the supervisory team• the student’s supervisor(s).

5.7.4 Membership of Interim Examination Boards Jointly Registered Students The minimum composition for an Interim Examination Board will be as follows and

the Board may seek advice from any appointed external consultant: • the head of programme from the lead programme, Dean/ Associate Dean or

member of academic staff at senior tutor level or above, nominated by the Dean who is not part of the supervisory team (chair); the chair should be an experienced research supervisor;

• the head of programme from the second programme or member of academic staff, at senior level or above, nominated by the head of programme who is not part of the supervisory team;

• the student’s supervisor(s).


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The lead programme is defined as the programme which will be responsible for arranging interim, transfer and final examinations and other administrative requirements in consultation with the second programme. Consequently, for administrative and resource allocation, the arrangement will be determined as 60/40 between the lead and second programmes respectively.



5.8 Submission Requirements

5.8.1 PhD by Thesis The submission of research in a theoretical discipline shall comprise a written thesis

in English presenting an account and the results of a programme of research in the field of history, theory and practice of art, design or communication, supported, where appropriate, by practical work related to the research. The thesis shall be between 60,000 and 80,000 words in length (exclusive of footnotes, appendices and bibliography which would not usually exceed 20,000 words). It shall be illustrated as necessary and accompanied by an abstract. Any thesis which is over 80,000 words in length will be referred. Candidates must submit to the Research Office four copies of the thesis. All submissions must be received for assessment two months before the date of the examination. The work should be sent to the External Examiner no later than six weeks before the examination date. Each student must provide a digital copy of the thesis and complete and sign a Thesis Deposit Agreement and a Thesis Deposit Record form. Failure to do so will mean that the student cannot attend Convocation and that the degree certificate will be withheld.

5.8.2 PhD by Practice The submission of research in a studio discipline shall comprise a work or works of

art, design or communication, or a group of interrelated works of art, design or communication, presented as appropriate in the form of original(s), prototype(s), scale model(s), drawings, CD-ROM, photographs, film(s), or sound and vision recording(s), together with a piece of written work in English, defining the purpose of the work, the factors taken into account in its conception and development, and explaining the results.

The work submitted must demonstrate progression in knowledge or understanding in

the candidate’s discipline, or in related disciplinary areas. The written component shall be not less than 25,000 words and not more than 40,000 words in length (exclusive of footnotes, appendices and bibliography which would usually not exceed 10,000 words), illustrated as necessary and accompanied by an abstract. The textual and practical elements of the project should be conceived as a whole, with both aspects reaching the required standard of PhD as outlined above. Any written component which is over 40,000 words in length will be referred.

5.8.3 Submission Date Prior to submission, candidates must submit a Notification of Submission Form (PG7)

to the Research Office. Following approval, candidates must submit to the Research Office four copies of the written element. All submissions must be received for assessment two months before the date of the examination. The work should be sent to the External Examiner no later than six weeks before the examination date.

5.8.4 Mock Examination As part of the student preparation for the viva voce, all programmes should

encourage students to participate in a ‘Mock’ PhD Final Examination. Guidance is published in the Research Handbook.


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5.9 Continuation Status Students who have completed the minimum 3 years of study (FTE) for PhD will be

eligible to apply for Continuation Status. Students must have completed their research, completed a significant proportion of

their degree submission and must use the period only for writing. Continuation status will last up to a maximum of one academic year (three academic

terms). Any student who fails to submit their work within this period will be required to apply for an extension to their PhD and will have to pay the normal full-time or part-time tuition fee.

Continuation status students will have limited access to College resources. Students

will not be eligible for access to College equipment, other resources or studio space. Access to the Library and email/ internet will remain.

Continuation status students will be entitled to three formal tutorials during the academic year.

The decision to grant continuation status will rest with ABCD. Decisions will be based on:

• the academic progress of the student• the support of the head of programme• confirmation from the head of programme that the student will require only

minimal access to College resources. Application for Continuation status should be incorporated into the interim examination process at the end of the third year of study.


5.10.1 The Role of the External Examiner The purpose of the External Examiner is to ensure that the:


• standards of awards are comparable with those of other UK higher • education institutions• process of assessment and examination is fair and has been fairly conducted.


to the student to be examined. An External Examiner must be competent in the specialised area of research and should have appropriate standing, expertise and experience to maintain the College’s academic standards. If the proposed examiner has no previous external examining experience at postgraduate level, the application should be supported by either:• other external examining experience• extensive internal examining experience• other relevant and recent experience likely to support the External Examiner role.

There shall be two External Examiners, at least one of whom shall hold a doctoral qualification and the other shall be of doctoral standing. External Examiners should be drawn from a variety of institutional/professional contexts. There must not be reciprocal external examining between the College and another institution or replacement of an External Examiner by another individual from the same institution.

External Examiners should not have previous close involvement with the College

which might compromise their objectivity. Over the last three years a proposed External Examiner should not have been a member of staff, a member of the Council, a student, or a near relative of a member of staff or have acted in a supervisory capacity to the student. Where the programme has a partnership arrangement with


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another institution, the External Examiner should not have been a staff member of the host programme of the partner institution during the last three years.

External Examiners are appointed by the Senate following nomination by the

dean of school and the approval of the Director of Research & Innovation and the Academic Standards Committee. As examiners are approved in advance of the examinations, the validity of their appointment shall be considered as 12 calendar months, or upon submission of their report, whichever is sooner.

5.10.3 External Examiners’ Reports Following the receipt of the thesis/written report and comprehensive evidence of

studio work, but prior to examination, External Examiner(s) should submit written comments to the Director of Research & Innovation outlining their initial response to the work and suggesting areas to be discussed at the examination. These notes do not constitute a formal report and are strictly confidential to the Director of Research & Innovation and the Chair of the Examination Board. However, in the event of referral, information in the pre-viva voce letters may be incorporated (in an edited form) into the notes sent to the candidate to assist in the process of revision.

After the oral examination, External Examiners each report to the Director of

Research & Innovation, copying in the Research Administrator on the performance of the student and the conduct of the examination. The report should comment on the following:

1 Standards The overall performance of the student in relation to the requirements for

MPhil or PhD degrees. External Examiners are asked to pay particular attention to evidence of originality in relation to:• the research questions that have been addressed, or the area that has

been explored in the course of the research• the research methodology• the research context• the overall performance of the student in relation to his or her peers on

comparable programmes, as far as the External Examiner is aware• the strengths and weaknesses of the student and his or her work• the quality of knowledge, innovation and skills demonstrated by the student.

2 Assessment• the assessment procedure• criteria, consistency, fairness and appropriateness of the

assessment method.

3 Evidence of innovation or good practice with regard to:• presentation of the body of work• supervisory support.

In order to derive most benefit from the report, it will be available to the head of programme and supervisor(s). If an External Examiner wishes to make any comments in confidence, he or she may write separately to the Rector.

5.10.4 Termination of External Examiner Appointments The appointment of an External Examiner may be terminated by the Senate if the Senate judges that the responsibilities of the appointment have not been or cannot be fulfilled in the manner or to the standard which the College requires.

Reasons for termination could include:

• provision of false information• failure to provide reports on the examination process required by the College


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• a change in the External Examiner’s circumstances which brings about potential conflicts of interest which might jeopardise objectivity

• persistent refusal to work within the College’s Academic Regulations.


examination may be deferred. Deferral is only appropriate in the event of:• absence, for a valid reason, from the course/programme of study which prevented

completion of the submission• an approved late change of direction in the student’s work which prevented


the submission.


5.11.1 Status of the Final Examination Boards A Final Examination Board is convened to enable the student to demonstrate that he

or she has fulfilled the objectives of the programme of research and has achieved the standard for the award of Doctor of Philosophy.

Only the Senate or the ABCD acting on behalf of the Senate has the authority to

award the Doctor of Philosophy, to permit a student to re-submit his or her work for re-examination or to fail a student.

5.11.2 Membership of Final Examination Boards

1 PhD by Thesis The composition of a Final Examination Board for submissions in theoretical

disciplines will be:• A Dean/ Associate Dean, head of programme or member of academic

staff at senior tutor level or above nominated by the Dean (chair) who is not from the students’ School or part of the student’s supervisory team (and who has been approved by the Director of Research & Innovation)

• two External Examiners.

Optional attendance: The student’s supervisor or the head of programme may attend as an observer. The purpose of the observer’s presence is to hear the discussion related to the research so that he or she fully understands the issues raised by the examiners when supervising any requirements for additional work. The observer must be silent throughout and is not a member of the Board. The observer should attend with the candidate and should not be present at the preliminary discussion. The observer may attend and participate in the concluding discussion at the request of the examiners and the Chair of the Final Examination Board.

2 PhD by Practice The composition of a Final Examination Board for a submission for PhD by

Practice will be as for a submission for a PhD by Thesis, except that, of the two External Examiners appointed by the Senate, one shall be a recognised authority in the studio discipline and the other shall be a recognised authority in the theoretical implications of the programme.

5.11.3 Responsibilities of Students It is the student’s responsibility to decide when to submit within his or her period of

registration, taking due account of the opinion of his or her supervisor(s), which is


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advisory only. Students must attend examinations and submit work for assessment as required and provide the examiners in advance of their meeting with any relevant information on personal circumstances which may have affected their performance and which they wish the examiners to take into account. All students will be required to take an oral examination. If the examination is to last more than two hours an appropriate break will be offered. If an examination extends beyond four hours, the Chair of the Examination Board should prepare an explanation and append it to the examiner’s reports.

If a student fails to attend for examinations or to submit work for assessment without

good cause, the examiners have the authority to deem the student to have failed the examination.

If a student is found to have cheated or attempted to gain an unfair advantage, the

examiners have the authority to deem the student to have failed part or all of the assessments and the authority to determine whether or not the student should be permitted to be re-assessed.

5.11.4 Responsibilities of the Boards Each member of the Board has an equal voice in the deliberations, oral examination


The consideration of studio work or any other form of exhibited practice should not




• the student is referred for re-submission within 12 months and is to be re-examined as follows:

• the project/thesis must be revised substantially and if deemed satisfactory by the Examination Board, the candidate will be exempt from further oral examination

• the project/thesis must be revised substantially and the candidate must undergo a further oral examination

• the student fails the Final Examination for PhD but is awarded the degree of MPhil subject to the presentation of the project/thesis amended to the satisfaction of the Examination Board

• the student fails the Final Examination and is not permitted to be re-examined.

Where appropriate, the Final Examination Board may recommend to the ABCD that the student shall be required to carry out further work and to re-submit in such a manner and by such a date as the Board may specify. Only one re-submission will be considered. Full details of the re-submission requirement, including a precise timetable and supervision requirements, will be provided to the student in writing by the Chair of the Examination Board. No further re-submission may be made.

Where a Final Examination Board is convened after the last meeting of the Senate for

the academic year concerned, the Senate may authorise the ABCD to act on the Senate’s behalf.



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5.11.5 Particular Responsibilities of Individual Members of the Boards The Chair is responsible for ensuring that the composition of the Board and the

conduct of the examination comply with the Regulations and must ensure a fair and open presentation of the student’s work and other information where appropriate. The External Examiners must ensure that at least parity of standards has been achieved compared with work from other institutions. The External Examiners have the further responsibilities of ensuring that the student is fairly dealt with by the Board, and that the laws of natural justice prevail.

5.11.6 Appeals Appeals against a decision of the Examination Board may be considered under the


5.12 Requirement for Copies of Final Submission Before the degree of PhD is conferred, the student must present to the Research

Office an electronic copy of the thesis, including any non-textual element, e.g. sound or image files which constitute part of the submission, for lodging in the College’s digital repository and with the British Library, for them to make available online via ETOS. The following copyright statement should be included in each thesis: ‘This text represents the submission for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Royal College of Art. This copy has been supplied for the purpose of research for private study, on the understanding that it is copyright material, and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement’.

Each student must provide an abstract of the thesis, and complete and sign a Thesis

Deposit Agreement and fill in a Thesis Deposit Record form. Each student must provide a digital copy of the thesis, and complete and sign a Thesis Deposit Agreement and a Thesis Deposit Record Form. Failure to submit a digital copy of the thesis will mean that the student cannot attend Convocation and that the degree certificate will be withheld.

6 HIGHER DOCTORATE

6.1 Standard of Award The standard of the award of the Higher Doctorate is that expected of an applicant

who is a leading authority in the field of study or practice concerned and has made an original and significant contribution over many years to the advancement or application of knowledge in that field. The higher doctorate awarded by the College is Doctor of the Royal College of Art (Dr (RCA)).

6.2 Application Procedure An applicant should submit to the Rector three copies of the proposal on which the

application is based together with the fee. The actual submission may take the form of books, contributions to journals, patent specifications, reports, specifications and design studies and may also include other relevant evidence of original work. An applicant should state which part of the submission, if any, has been submitted for another academic award. The contents of a submission should be in English.

In addition to the copies of the work on which the application is based, the applicant

should submit a statement of not more than 1,000 words setting out the applicant’s view of the nature and significance of the work submitted and a full statement of the extent of the applicant’s contribution to any of the work submitted which involves joint authorship or other types of collaboration. The application will be referred by the Rector to the ABCD which will advise whether a prima facie case for proceeding to a formal examination of the submission has been established, taking whatever advice it deems appropriate.


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6.3 Examination If satisfied that a prima facie case has been established, the ABCD will submit the

application to two examiners each of whom will be asked to make an independent report. In the event of disagreement between the examiners, the ABCD may appoint an examiner. All examiners will be external and wholly independent of the College. The ABCD will make a recommendation to the Senate. If the Senate agrees to award the degree of Dr (RCA) a copy of the applicant’s submission will be lodged in the Library.

95

Post ExperienceProgrammes


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The Royal College of Art Post Experience Programmes (PEPs) are aimed at, among others, artists, designers, craftspeople, communicators, teachers and managers. The Programmes provide individual study within the College, full-time or part-time, for periods ranging from four weeks to one year. They offer the opportunity for professional updating, for learning new skills and techniques, and for intellectual stimulus.

Candidates on the programmes come from all over the world. Many are sponsored

by forward-looking employers, using the programmes as a key element in staff development. Others are self-supporting, seeking personal enhancement.

Candidates may apply to work in any of the College’s programmes. If accepted,

they will benefit not only from teaching by top professionals working alongside some of the world’s most able postgraduate students and researchers. The programmes are designed to be as flexible as possible in order to meet the needs of the individual candidates.

Teaching is in English. Students need to ensure that their command of the language

is good enough to learn and to debate ideas. Students must define their learning objectives and submit them to the College. An appropriate programme is then designed. Fees relate to the programme format and comprise a tuition charge and a materials charge. Students on PEPs cannot transfer to a Master’s degree course. If a PEP student wishes, he or she may apply to be an MA student in the normal way and at the same time as other applicants. Applications for a PEP place must be made on an application form, which may be obtained from the Registry.

Fees for the PEPs for 2016/17 will be charged at a rate of £28,400 for a full year

(48 weeks), plus, in some cases, costs of materials and special tuition. The PEP fee for an individual student will be adjusted on a pro rata basis according to the period of study, the precise content of the course and materials to be used.

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Policies &Procedures

P O L I C I E S & P RO C E D U R E S

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1 HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

1.1 Health and Safety Policy Statement In accordance with its duty under the Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act and in

fulfilling its obligations to staff, students, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by its activities, the Council of the Royal College of Art has agreed the following policy statement:

The Council regards Health and Safety as of prime importance in the pursuit of its

mission and will ensure that, within the overall resources of the College, appropriate provision is made to enable the College to fulfil its Health and Safety obligations. The Council, having delegated executive responsibility for Health and Safety to the Rector, will undertake to discharge its statutory duties, so far as is reasonably practicable, by: • developing and maintaining a pro-active safety culture within the College;• complying fully with all health, safety legislation and being pro-active in the

prevention of injury, illness, ill-health, damage and loss arising from College activities;• providing and maintaining plant and equipment and systems of work that are

safe and without risks to health; • making arrangements for ensuring safety and absence of risks to health

in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances;

• providing such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure the Health and Safety at work of employees, students and visitors;

• maintaining any place of work under College control in a condition that is safe and without risks to health and to provide and maintain suitable and safe means of access and egress ;

• providing and maintaining a working environment for employees and students that is safe and without risks to health and is adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare;

• establishing and maintaining safe working procedures and codes of practice for staff and students;

• providing such protective equipment as is necessary for the Health and Safety at work of employees and students;

• monitoring the effectiveness of Health and Safety provisions within the College and seeking continuous improvement.

All employees, students, contractors and other visitors are required to co-operate in achieving the aims and objectives of the Health and Safety Policy and to recognise their own responsibilities not to:• put themselves or any other person at risk; • intentionally damage or misuse anything provided for health, safety and welfare

reasons.

Failure to comply with these duties may result in disciplinary action. The College will encourage employees to set high standards of Health and Safety by

personal example, in order that students leaving the College should take with them an attitude of mind which promotes good Health and Safety practice.

The College encourages employees and students to make suggestions for the

improvement of Health and Safety within the College, through their managers, supervisors and safety representatives.

The College has established a Health and Safety Committee. This will meet regularly

to consider all aspects of Health and Safety, recommend changes in procedures and update policies as necessary.

The Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever changes in

circumstances or legislation dictate.


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1.2 Organisational Arrangements

1.2.1 College Council

The College Council fulfils the role of employer and is ultimately responsible for health and safety within the College. • The Council has a responsibility in terms of the Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act

(1974) for the health and safety of the employees and students of the College and of any contractors or other visitors to College premises, and in particular assumes responsibility for:

• keeping under review the College Health and Safety Policy; • allocating sufficient resources for health and safety measures; • maintaining the organisation for the successful implementation and monitoring of

the College Health and Safety Policy;• reviewing on an annual basis a Health and Safety Report for the College; and • identifying and allocating health and safety responsibilities to individual members

of the staff within the College.

The Council is advised in these matters by the Health and Safety Committee. A member of the College senior management team fulfils the role of “Health and

Safety Director” for the institution, as envisaged by the Health and Safety Commission. This role is currently delegated to the Rector.

1.2.2 The Rector Executive responsibility for health and safety management in the College is delegated

from the College Council to the Rector. The Rector will attend the College Council as the institution’s “Health and Safety Director”.

The Rector has nominated the Chief Operating Officer to be responsible for the

implementation of the Health and Safety Policy. The Rector will receive an annual report from the Chief Operating Officer on Health and Safety indicating the effectiveness of the Health and Safety Policy and this will be forwarded to the College Council.

The Rector will sign the Health and Safety Policy and will approve any changes to it.

1.2.3 Chief Operating Officer The Chief Operating Officer, under nominated authority from the Rector, has

responsibility to ensure that the Health and Safety Policy is effectively applied throughout the College and will sit as Chair of the Health and Safety Committee.

The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for ensuring that management systems are

established to:• plan and establish strategic health and safety management within the College;• direct and monitor the implementation of the Health and Safety Policy through the

Safety, Health and Environmental Officer and the Health and Safety Committee;• determine the allocation of resources necessary to sustain the Health and Safety

Policy; and• review and evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of the Health and

Safety Policy on an annual basis;

The Chief Operating Officer will ensure that a Health and Safety Report for the College is forwarded to the College Council on an annual basis.

In so far as is reasonably practicable, the Chief Operating Officer will ensure that all

staff, students, contractors and other visitors, fulfil their obligations in the implementation of the Health and Safety Policy.


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The Chief Operating Officer will be assisted, advised and, where appropriate, represented on health and safety matters by the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer, the Head of Buildings and Estates and the College Occupational Health Service, Imperial College.

1.2.4 Deans of School, Directors of Research and Directors of Administrative Departments Each of the Deans of School, Directors of Research and Directors of Administrative

Departments is responsible to the Chief Operating Officer for the implementation of the health and safety policy at School or Research/ Administrative Department level and has responsibility for:• Implementing, so far as is reasonably practicable, the College’s Health

and Safety Policy;• Ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of staff,

students, contractors and other visitors under their area of responsibility;• Ensuring that sufficient resources are allocated for health and safety;• Appointing School/Area Safety Representative where appropriate and to offer

them advice and support in discharging their health and safety responsibilities; • Ensuring that mechanisms are in place for effective consultation and cooperation

through a local health and safety forum and the College Health and Safety Committee;

• Ensuring that arrangements are in place for the regular monitoring and review of health and safety performance;

• Ensuring that local health and safety policies, associated codes of practice and safe working procedures are in place and reviewed periodically;

• Ensuring that appropriate health and safety information, instruction, training and supervision is given to staff, students, contractors and other visitors;

• Ensuring that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out and being aware of the most significant risks;

• Receiving reports on health and safety (including serious accidents/dangerous occurrences) from Heads of Programme, Heads of Research and Heads of Administrative Departments; and

• Reporting on health and safety in consultation with the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer.

1.2.5 Heads of Programme, Heads of Research, Heads of Administrative Departments and Heads of Technical Services and ICT Each of the Heads of Programme, Heads of Research, Heads of Administrative

Departments and Heads of Technical Services and ICT is responsible to their Dean of School or Director of Research/Administration, for the implementation of the Health and safety Policy within their area of control, and has responsibility for:• Implementing, so far as is reasonably practicable, the College’s Health and Safety

Policy and the local health and safety policy, associated codes of practice and safe working procedures;

• Ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of staff, students, contractors and other visitors undertaking activities and using equipment and facilities under their area of responsibility;

• Ensuring that all staff and students know and understand their responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and adhere to local procedures and codes of practice;

• Ensuring that health and safety is considered in planning and budgeting and that resources are used effectively and in proportion to the local risks.

• Ensuring that necessary health and safety information, instruction and training is given to staff, students, contractors and other visitors;

• Ensuring that staff and students are provided with supervision appropriate to the health and safety risks;

• Ensuring that all staff with supervisory responsibilities for other staff and/or students know and understand their health and safety responsibilities;

• Ensuring that necessary health and safety records and documentation is in place,


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and is reviewed regularly to ensure it is kept up to date;• Ensuring that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are in place, including

the implementation of risk protection and prevention measures identified by these assessments;

• Ensuring that accidents/dangerous occurrences reported within their area of responsibility are subject to the appropriate level of investigation and the implementation of any remedial measures that are identified;

• Ensuring that routine Health and Safety audits and inspections are carried out;• Ensuring that that all safety control measures are correctly used and

adequately maintained; • Ensuring that all plant, equipment and processes are adequately maintained

and inspected in accordance with relevant statutory provisions; • Ensuring that staff, students, contractors and other visitors are provided with

appropriate protective clothing and equipment; • Ensuring that staff receive appropriate occupational health screening and

medical surveillance; • Ensuring that sufficient First Aiders and Fire Wardens are appointed to cover their

areas of responsibility in emergency situations;• Planning and establishing a Health and Safety Action Plan for their Department,

in consultation with the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer; • Monitoring and reviewing the Health and Safety Action Plan on a regular basis

and produce an annual progress report.

1.2.6 Occupational Health Service The College Occupational Health Service’s primary role is to provide central and

independent specialist advice, assistance and support to staff and students on occupational health as it relates to College activities and will:• Liaise with the College Safety, Health and Environmental Officer and provide advice

and assistance on the staff health surveillance programme;• Liaise with the College Safety, Health and Environmental Officer and provide

advice and assistance on health and safety issues arising from the use of display screen equipment;

• Liaise with the College Safety, Health and Environmental Officer on the College policy and strategy for the management of work-related stress;

• Liaise with the Personnel Department and provide advice on cases of work-related sickness absence and return to work strategies;

• Advise on the development and delivery of occupational health-related training;• Provide the necessary support and advice to the College Health and

Safety Committee;• Monitor formally reported incidents resulting in work-related ill health (or the

potential to do so), carrying out independent investigations where it is deemed necessary and provide the appropriate advice and assistance in implementing remedial actions identified through these investigations;

• Work with Programmes and Departments by providing advice and assistance to maintain and promote optimal health and the prevention of occupational ill health amongst staff and specified student groups.

1.2.7 Trades Union Safety Representatives The College recognises the important role that Trades Union Safety Representatives

have in assisting it to ensure the health, safety and welfare of those affected by its activities.

When Trades Union Safety Representatives are elected by the union the Chief

Operating Officer shall be informed. The College shall ensure that those appointed to this role are consulted with regard to the following:• The introduction of, or significant changes to, any measures or arrangements that

may significantly affect health and safety;• Any health and safety information the College is required to provide under the


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relevant statutory provisions.• The planning and organisation of health and safety training.• The health and safety consequences of introducing new technologies.

Appointed Trades Union Safety Representatives shall: • Carry out their functions as a safety representative in accordance with the Safety

Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations and the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations as appropriate;

• Be able to undertake inspections of workspaces in the College, as entitled to do so by the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations;

• Make any representations on matters affecting health and safety that arise from investigating hazards, dangerous occurrences, accidents or concerns raised by members to the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer in the first instance. The following will also be made aware of any such representations as appropriate and depending on the severity of the issue:

• Head of Programme/department for the affected area;• Dean / Director responsible for that particular area;• Buildings and Estates Department;• Chief Operating Officer.

1.2.8 College Health And Safety Committee The principle aims and objectives of the College Health and Safety Committee are:

• to encourage consultation and co-operation between the College management, staff and students on matters relating to health and safety;

• to recommend, instigate, develop, monitor and review action to ensure the health, and safety a of all persons affected by the activities of the College.

The Committee membership will consist of: • Chief Operating Officer (Chair);• Safety, Health and Environmental Officer;• Director of Buildings and Estates;• Operations Manager;• Engineering Manager• Head of Information, Learning and Technical Services ;• Technical Services Managers;• Facilities Manager;• Occupational Health Advisor;• School/ Area Safety Representatives from each School;• Representatives of each of the College trades unions;• President of the Students’ Union and one other appointed Student Safety

Representative.

The Committee is empowered to co-opt persons with specialist knowledge to assist as necessary.

The Committee will produce minutes and these will be sent forward to the Staff

Committee a sub-committee of the College Council. Approved minutes will be made available to all employees and students via the

College Intranet. Where the Committee wishes to make particular recommendations actions will be

implemented through the appropriate Committee member. The functions of the Committee are to:

• Assist in the development of the College policies and procedures on health and safety;

• Monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of those policies and procedures;• Receive, consider and advise on reports and information provided by external

auditors and enforcing authorities; • Receive, consider and advise on formal reports submitted by trades union


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appointed representatives;• Consider and advise on the effectiveness of health and safety training;• Consider and advise on the effectiveness of communication systems in relation to

health, safety and welfare;• Receive and consider reports and statistics relating to accidents/incidents and

dangerous occurrences and recommend remedial action; and• Receive and consider reports relating to health, safety and welfare in general and

recommend remedial action;

There will be a minimum of three meetings per year (once per term). Additional or extraordinary meetings will be convened either on request of the Chairperson or by a request, in writing, to the Committee Secretary.

The Secretary will issue a notice of Committee meetings at least 1 week in advance.

An agenda will be circulated at the time of the notice. Items to be placed on the agenda must be forwarded to the Secretary in advance.

1.2.9 Safety, Health and Environmental Officer The College will appoint a Safety, Health and Environmental Officer who will be a

competent person to carry out the duties set out below. The Safety, Health and Environmental Officer will follow a programme of continued professional development to maintain the appropriate standard of professional competence.

The Safety, Health and Environmental Officer is responsible for advising the Chief

Operating Officer the Health and Safety Committee and all Responsible Persons on the implementation of the Health and Safety Policy and for providing a specialist advisory service relating to all matters concerning health, safety and welfare at work.

The Safety, Health and Environmental Officer will:

• Keep up-to-date with legislation, codes of practice, guidance and case-law and advise Schools/Programmes, research units and Administrative Departments accordingly;

• Promote health and safety awareness and assist in the development of a pro-active health and safety culture throughout the College;

• Provide health and safety information to employees and students using appropriate communication means including the College Intranet;

• Liaise with Responsible Persons on all matters relating to health, safety and welfare;• Advise and assist in the formulation of policies, procedures and codes of practice

to ensure health, safety and welfare in schools/programmes, research units and administrative departments

• Monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of these policies and procedures;• Assist in the carrying out of risk assessments and the development of safe systems

of work and advise on control measures including protective clothing and equipment;• Assist in the development of Health and Safety Action Plans and ensure that these

are reviewed and updated on a regular basis;• Undertake audits, inspections and surveys, make the relevant responsible member

aware of any unsafe activities or conditions found and advise on remedial actions;• Ensuring that accidents and dangerous occurances are reported as required,

analysing accident data and producing reports and statistics;• Compiling and analysing Health and Safety Key Performance Indicators;• Advise on the potential health and safety hazards of new processes, machinery,

plant and equipment before work commences;• Liaise with the Head of Buildings and Estates on matters concerning the

maintenance, design, construction and modification of College buildings; • Liaise with the Head of Buildings and Estates, the Facilities Manager and the Fire

Brigade on matters concerning fire safety; • Assist in carrying out Fire Risk Assessments for all College buildings; • Liaise with the Head of Buildings and Estates on construction health and safety


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(CDM) and the management of contractors;• Liaise with the Occupational Health Service, on matters concerning occupational

health; health surveillance, work-related stress and health and safety whilst working with display screeen equipment;

• Arrange the provision of health and safety training for all levels of staff;• Assist in the provision of health and safety induction training for students;• Be a member of the College Health and Safety Committee; • Liaise with appointed trade union safety representatives and assist them in

carrying out their duties;• Produce an annual health and safety report for the College Council to be reviewed

by the Health and Safety Committee and Senior Management Team;• Undertake investigations into accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences and

report the findings of these investigations to the relevant member of staff and;• Maintain contact with enforcing agencies and inform them of any reportable

accidents, diseases or dangerous occurrences as required by legislation.

1.2.10 School/Safety Representatives Each School Safety Representative is responsible to the Dean of School or Director to

assist in the implementation of the Health and Safety Policy within their School and will:• Be aware of and comply with the Health and Safety Policy and local procedures and

codes of practice and thus set a good example to employees, students and visitors;• Assist the deans of school in the formulation and revision of local policies

procedures and codes of practice;• Act with the delegated authority of the Dean of School on health and safety

matters and provide assistance to employees and students on such matters; • Report to the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer on any health and safety

problems that cannot be resolved locally;• Liaise with the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer on general health

and safety matters and in particular regarding new processes, operations or machinery;

• Attend meetings of the College Health and Safety Committee;• Monitor their School to ensure a high standard of housekeeping, safe access and

egress and fire safety standards;• Undertake such other health and safety duties that may be assigned by the Dean

of School or Director.

1.2.11 Staff All staff are responsible for assisting the appropriate Responsible Person in achieving

the objectives of the Health and Safety Policy and will:• Co-operate with the College so as to enable their responsibilities under health and

safety legislation to be carried out;• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be

affected by their acts or omissions whilst at work;• Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the

interests of health and safety by the College;• Be aware of and comply with the Health and Safety Policy and local procedures and

codes of practice and thus set a good example to students and visitors;• Ensure that they and any staff or students under their supervision use safe working

practices and adhere to Health and Safety Policy and local procedures and codes of practice;

• Ensure that visitors using the facilities of the College do not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety;

• Report accidents/dangerous occurrences whenever they occur;• Take appropriate immediate action to stop any unsafe work practices or unsafe

working conditions within their delegated area of responsibility; • Ensure that any such health and safety problem that cannot be resolved

immediately is reported as a matter of urgency to the appropriate person;• Ensure that at all times full use is made of appropriate safety devices, protective

clothing and equipment;


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• Ensure that all plant, machinery and equipment is safe to use and report any defects immediately;

• Ensure that there is maintained a safe means of access to, and egress from their area of work; and

• Ensure that a high standard of housekeeping is maintained in their area of work.

1.2.12 Students• All students are required to co-operate fully in achieving the aims and objectives of

the Health and Safety Policy and to recognise their responsibilities for the health and safety of themselves and others;

• All students are required to comply with the local procedures and codes of practice;

• All students shall adhere to safety instructions given and make use of appropriate safety devices, protective clothing and equipment; and

• Students must not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare.

1.2.13 Contractors and Visitors• Contractors and Visitors shall report to the security desk immediately upon arrival.

All Contractors shall sign the Visitors Book on arrival and departure. • All Contractors and Visitors are required to comply with the College Health and

Safety Policy, and local procedures and codes of practice;• All visitors shall adhere to safety instructions and make use of appropriate safety

devices, protective clothing and equipment; and• Contractors and Visitors must not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or

misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare.

1.3 Health and Safety Procedures The following is a summary of College procedures for health and safety. Further

information and advice can be obtained from the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer. Policies, guidance documents and forms can be obtained from Health and Safety on the RCA Intranet – https://intranet.rca.ac.uk/support/health-wellbeing/health-safety/

1.3.1 Fire Safety All staff and students must ensure that they know the fire alarm procedure. They

should familiarise themselves with the evacuation routes and fire exits for their area. On hearing the alarm, any equipment in use must be switched off or made safe. All persons must leave the area by the nearest exit using the stairs and go to the assembly point. Designated College Fire Wardens will assist in the evacuation. The assembly point for the Kensington buildings is the Albert Hall steps. The assembly point for the Battersea Buildings is Albion Square, Hester Road. Following investigation a member of staff in the Security Control Room will call the Fire Brigade if required.

If you discover a fire, raise the alarm immediately by breaking the glass of the nearest

Fire Alarm Call Point. If you have received the relevant training and it is safe to do so, try to put the fire out using the appropriate extinguisher.• Do not take any personal risk.• Do not use the lifts.• Do not re-enter the building until you are instructed to do so.

1.3.2 Fire Prevention Fire Risk Assessments have been carried out for all areas of the College in accordance

with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. The significant findings of these assessments will be communicated to all relevant staff.


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Fire equipment and escape routes must be kept clear at all times. Fire or smoke doors are clearly marked as such and must not be wedged, propped or tied open. Fire extinguishers must not be used to prop doors open. Flammable liquids and aerosol sprays must only be used in accordance with risk assessments and safe working procedures and should be stored in a flammable storage cabinet when not in use. All areas must be kept clear of fire hazards.

Fire safety guidelines are posted throughout the College and are available on Health

and Safety – RCA Intranet.

1.3.3 Housekeeping A tidy and systematic method of working is necessary to promote a safe working

environment. Clean your work area daily. Do not leave items on the floor. Wipe up any spills immediately. Corridors and staircases as well as access routes through studios must not be used as storage areas. Do not leave waste materials in stairwells or corridors. Inform Security if you have any waste materials or items to be disposed of. Safe access and egress must be maintained at all times. The build up of combustible materials should also be avoided.

1.3.4 Health and Safety Committee The Health and Safety Committee is responsible for the development of the College’s

policies on health and safety and for the monitoring of their implementation. The Committee, which meets once a term, is chaired by the Chief Operating Officer and reports to the Staff Committee which is a sub-committee of the College Council. Membership includes the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer, Head of Buildings and Estates, Head of Technical Services, School Safety Representatives and Safety Representatives appointed by the recognised trade unions.

1.3.5 Accident and Incident Reporting All accidents to staff, students or visitors must be reported using an accident report

form. Accident statistics are monitored by the College and incidents are investigated to determine the cause and help prevent a re-occurrence. Accident report forms are available from First Aiders. They are also posted on Health and Safety Notice Boards and are available on Health and Safety – RCA Intranet. Accident forms can be completed by staff or students and should be forwarded as soon as possible to the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer.

In order to help to monitor unsafe situations and dangerous occurrences these types

of incidents should be reported using the same form. Certain specified incidents, injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences must be

reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in accordance with the RIDDOR Regulations. All work related accidents involving students or visitors which result in them being taken to hospital for treatment should be reported if they are work related. Accidents to staff which result in seven consecutive days’ absence from work must also be reported. The Health, Safety and Environmental Officer must be informed of any RIDDOR reportable incidents as soon as possible so that a report can be made to the HSE. The area/location where the accident occurred must not be touched, except for the purposes of making it safe, until an investigation has been carried out by the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer or another appointed member of staff. Further information on RIDDOR reportable incidents can be found on Health and Safety – RCA Intranet.

1.3.6 First Aid Qualified First Aiders are available throughout the College to treat injuries and other

medical conditions in College. Notices detailing the names and locations of the nearest First Aid boxes and trained First Aiders are shown in prominent locations throughout the College.


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Nominated First Aiders are also trained in the use of defibrillators. For all First Aid or medical emergencies contact Security by phoning 333 for the Kensington Buildings and 4477 for the Battersea Buildings.

1.3.7 Risk Assessments The College will, in accordance with legal requirements, make an assessment of all

risks to the health and safety of staff, students visitors and contractors. These risks will then be controlled so far as is reasonably practicable so that neither staff and students nor others who could also be exposed to them will be put at risk.

Guidance on Risk Assessment and the relevant forms can be found on Health and

Safety – RCA Intranet. This includes specific procedures for the risk assessment of student projects, installations and exhibits.

1.3.8 Hazardous Substances A risk assessment must be carried out for all activities and processes involving

hazardous substances where there is a potential risk to health in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. Examples of hazardous substances include chemicals, paints (including aerosol cans), adhesives, resins and solvents. The COSHH Regulations also apply to hazardous dusts such as wood dust and silica. Hazardous substances should not be used in College unless the risks have been assessed and authorisation obtained from an appointed member of staff.

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) must be obtained from the supplier of

any hazardous substance in use and presented to the appropriate member of Technical Staff.

Training and induction is available for staff and students. To reduce the risk of

exposure to hazardous substances their use is restricted to staff and students who have been adequately trained and/or inducted. This will include the appropriate action to be taken in case of emergency. Further guidance on hazardous substances including COSHH assessment forms are available on Health and Safety – RCA Intranet.

Staff and students should report any adverse health effects, however minor, which

may be related to the use of hazardous substances to the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer who will inform the Occupational Health Advisor, Imperial College, if required.

1.3.9 Workshops and machinery safety All College workshop equipment is colour coded (traffic light system). Signs

explaining the coding system are displayed in all workshops and the instructions must be followed. Students must attend a workshop induction from technical services before they use any machinery. Staff or students using a workshop for the first time will be inducted in fire and emergency procedures.

The use of any machinery can involve significant risks. These risks can be minimised by adhering to the following:• use only equipment that you have been trained on and are authorised to use;• ensure that you are familiar with and adhere to the College colour coding

scheme (traffic light system);• ensure that you know how to use the equipment safely;• always use machine guards;• keep long hair and loose clothing securely away from all rotating parts of

the equipment;• wear appropriate footwear (open toed sandals and flip flops are strictly prohibited);• wear eye protection and hearing protection at all times where instructed to do so;


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• ensure that you know where the emergency stop buttons are located.

1.3.10 Control of Contractors The competence of all contractors working on College premises should be assessed

by an appointed member of staff before they start work. This includes maintenance of plant and equipment and any installation work carried out in College galleries. All contractors should be asked to provide copies of their public liability insurance and their health and safety policy. Risk assessments and method statements must also be provided for all activities carried out by contractors and must be approved before work commences.

A permit to work system is also in operation for specified hazardous activities such as

‘hot work’, roof access and any work involving asbestos. An Asbestos Management Plan and an Asbestos Risk Register for all College buildings are held by the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer.

The Head of Buildings Operations is responsible for ensuring that all construction and

refurbishment work complies with all relevant standards and is carried out safely in accordance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM).

1.3.11 Electrical Safety The College has procedures in place for the testing of portable electrical appliances

on a routine basis (PAT Testing). Staff and students who bring electrical equipment into College should seek advice from the Engineering Manager (Buildings & Estates) or the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer on the requirements for PAT testing. This also applies to any items used in the galleries.

Faulty or damaged equipment must not be used and no repairs should be attempted

except by a competent member of staff. Particular care should be taken with extension leads. Electrical equipment should not be used in damp surroundings or where flammable vapours may be present.

1.3.12 Display Screen Equipment (DSE) All staff using PCs and laptops in the course of their work should have their

workstations assessed in accordance with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations. On line interactive DSE training is available for staff. A DSE self-assessment form should be completed and returned to the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer. All necessary measures will be taken to reduce any risks identified in the assessment. Staff using DSE for the first time should also contact the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer to arrange for an eyesight test.

Computer Rooms and other workstations used by students are fitted with furniture

and equipment to maintain good standards of ergonomic design. Guidance on the ergonomic design and safe use of DSE equipment including laptops is available for staff and students on Health and Safety - RCA Intranet.

1.3.13 Working At Height Under the Work at Height Regulations the College has a legal requirement to minimise

the risks to staff and students from working at height. When work at height cannot be avoided then suitable access equipment must be provided. In the College galleries activities such as hanging work from the walls and ceilings take place at heights of up to 4 metres.

Tower scaffold/mobile access towers are available for use by students. This is the

safest method for working at height because it provides a stable work platform with guard rails. Tower scaffolds must be erected and checked by a competent member of staff. Platform steps and/or adjustable platform steps are also available as a safer alternative to step ladders.

For further information on access equipment for working at height please contact the


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Chief Engineer, or Health, Safety and Environmental Officer. Guidance on safe working at height is available on Health and Safety – RCA Intranet.

1.3.14 Lifting Equipment No lifting equipment should be used on College Premises unless a risk assessment

has been carried out and authorisation has been obtained from an appointed member of staff. Lifting equipment may be fixed or portable and includes cranes, hoist, passenger/goods lifts, forklift trucks and all associated lifting tackle (slings/chains). All equipment should have a valid insurance test/inspection certificate in accordance with the Lifting Equipment and Lifting Operations (LOLER) Regulations To reduce the risk of accidents the use of lifting equipment is restricted to staff and students who have been adequately trained and/or inducted. The safe working load displayed on the equipment must not be exceeded.

The use of fork lift trucks is strictly limited to trained and authorised members of staff.

1.3.15 Manual Handling One of the most common causes of injuries in the workplace is incorrect Manual

Handling techniques. Manual Handling is defined as the lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of loads using human bodily force. All manual handling activities in College will be risk assessed by an appointed member of staff in accordance with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations. All necessary measures will be taken to reduce any risks identified in the assessment to an acceptable level. This will include training and induction in Manual Handling techniques for staff and students. Manual handling aids such as trolleys and barrows will also be provided where practicable. Staff and students should make use of the equipment provided and ask for assistance if necessary.

Guidance on safe manual handling techniques is available on Health and

Safety – RCA Intranet

1.3.16 Noise At Work Noise assessments have been carried out to identify for any activities/processes for

which the noise levels may exceed the levels prescribed in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations. This includes work areas such as plant rooms and workshops as well as individual machines and/or processes. All work areas and machinery for which hearing protection is required are identified by appropriate signage and hearing protection is provided for staff and students working in these areas.

1.3.17 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Where personal protective equipment (e.g. safety shoes, ear defenders, respirators

and gloves) are required because of the work-related risk, they will be issued free of charge to staff. Provision will also be made for students. The equipment must be used properly and stored correctly. Where training in the use of PPE is needed it will be provided. Staff and students should always use PPE when it is required and should report any defects immediately.

1.3.18 Placements and Trips The College recognises that it has a duty of care for the health and safety of students

while on work placements linked to their studies. The College also expects that the necessary action will be taken by the Placement Provider to ensure the health and safety of our students. A placement health and safety risk assessment will be carried out before the start of the placement. Guidance on Placements and the relevant forms can be found on Health and Safety – RCA Intranet.

The College also recognises that it has a duty of care for students on trips associated

with their work. A travel checklist should be completed for all trips. An Overseas Travel Risk Assessment should also be completed if there are significant hazards associated with the destination (e.g. poor infrastructure/roads, terrorism, extreme climate) or if


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students are involved in hazardous activities. Guidance on trips including information on insurance, vaccinations etc. can be found on Health and Safety – RCA Intranet.

1.3.19 Lone Working Consideration should be given to the health and safety issues associated with lone

working particularly for work of a hazardous nature. If you have to work alone, ensure that someone knows where you are and at what time approximately you will finish.

1.3.20 Compressed Gases The use of compressed gases/cylinders and in particular liquid petroleum gases

(LPG) such as acetylene and propane in College are strictly controlled. All compressed gas cylinders must be handled carefully, kept upright and protected from excessive heat. Staff and students will be given adequate training in the handling and use of compressed gas cylinders to enable them to identify and understand the risks associated with each product being handled.

2 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY The Royal College of Art educates 1700 students and employs 340 members of staff

across its two London campuses in Kensington and Battersea. The College has an international reputation for providing excellence in art and design education in a community-focused environment. It recognises responsibilities to reduce the environmental impact of its activities and is committed to improve continuously its sustainability performance. This is demonstrated through:• meeting, and wherever possible exceeding, environmental legislative and other

requirements• preventing pollution by managing and reducing emissions and discharges and

using resources responsibly and efficiently• producing and implementing a Carbon Management Plan to improve energy and

water efficiency, increase recycling and minimise waste• considering sustainability as part of the College’s purchasing processes• ensuring that new buildings and refurbishments take into account

sustainability principles• producing and implementing a Travel Plan to encourage more sustainable

commuting and business travel• incorporating sustainability and promoting good environmental practice as part of

learning and teaching activities• protecting and enhancing biodiversity• improving sustainability awareness among staff and students• engaging with the local community and the Further and Higher Education Sector on

sustainability issues• regularly reviewing the Sustainability Policy and setting objectives and targets for

its implementation.

The College Council and the Rector have ultimate responsibility for improving sustainability performance within the College. Staff and students have an important role to play in this. They are supported by the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer, the Buildings and Estates Department.

2.1 Organisational Arrangements

2.1.1 Safety, Health And Environmental Officer The Safety, Health & Environmental Officer is responsible for developing an

environmental strategy for the College in key areas such as waste and energy management, and advising staff and students on making it a more sustainable place to work and study.


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3 MASTERS STUDENT CHARTER

3.1 Introduction This Student Charter articulates the educational ethos of the College and defines the

responsibilities of College and student. It is divided into the following aspects:• Learning• Feedback and assessment • Resources• Student Engagement• Student Support • Community

The Student Charter was developed in partnership between the College and its

Students’ Union. The Learning and Teaching Committee reviews it on an annual basis. It complements individual Programme Handbooks and the RCA Regulations, which provide a fuller description of programme-specific aims, methods and outcomes and College-wide policies and processes.

3.2 Learning The responsibility for an RCA education is a shared one. The College offers a

curriculum that balances intellectual, technical and professional development and that challenges and supports you to reach your creative potential. In return, we expect students to be independent learners, able to set and pursue your individual goals.

You will become part of a diverse international community of artists, designers and

thinkers willing to test the boundaries of their practice, discipline and research. This community will be the greatest resource that you can draw on throughout your studies (and potentially beyond).

The College commits to:• Delivering a creative curriculum that balanaces intellectual, technical and

professional development• Providing academic support from staff at the forefront of their discipline• Providing you with a Programme Handbook when you start at the College that

describes curriculum aims, methods and outcomes• Providing you with an annual teaching timetable in advance of your studies• Providing opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration

You commit to:• Setting and pursuing your individual goals through the curriculum• Seeking, listening to and reflecting on academic support offered• Ensuring that you understand the philosophy and structure of your programme• Attending scheduled teaching events• Ensuring that you are aware of interdisciplinary opportunities available to you

3.3 Feedback and Assessment Assessment is an opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned. Each College

Masters programme concludes with an individual project that aims to embody the research, experimentation and reflection that you will have undertaken throughout your studies. A final examination board will assess the quality of that work, and your ability to articulate the approaches, knowledge, skills and reasoning employed in its production. If you pass this examination you will graduate from the College.


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To ensure that you are supported throughout your programme you will be assigned a Personal Tutor, with whom you will have termly documented Progress Review meetings to help you reflect on your development. You will also receive informal feedback from a multitude of different voices, including programme tutors, visiting tutors, industry partners and peers. It is up to you to reflect on that feedback and to choose how to respond to it.

The College commits to:• Assigning you a dedicated Personal Tutor to provide you with academic and

pastoral support • Completing termly Progress Reviews with your Personal Tutor to review your

development which provide a record of agreed objectives.• Communicating the availability of contracted and visiting staff for personal

tutorials• Preparing you for interim and final examination • Responding to your emails within five working days within term time

You commit to:• Seeking the advice of your Personal Tutor if you require support• Identifying and communicating issues for discussion at Progress Reviews• Reflecting and acting upon agreed objectives• Taking responsibility for scheduling your own tutorial support • Following Handbook guidance on the submission and presentation of your work in

examinations • Routinely checking your College email account

3.4 Resources The College offers access to specialist facilities, as well as studio space, bookable

gallery spaces, library facilities and social spaces. Traditional workshop facilities are maintained in all areas of the College, alongside cutting-edge digital technologies. The majority of these facilities are open to all students, although access will be prioritised according to academic need at periods of high demand.

The College commits to:

• Providing access to all specialist technical resources based on academic need• Providing complete information on all available technical resources and support• Providing clean, safe and secure access to appropriate studio and/or collaborative

space across extended opening times• Providing access to an extensive collection of library material, including special

collections and archives• Providing free access to RCA information technology resources, services and

support (including RCA email and intranet access for life)

You commit to:• Planning ahead so that you have established academic need for and availability of

technical resources • Ensuring that you understand and operate under College procedures for safe and

proper use, and attending inductions where necessary• Helping to keep the space clean, safe and secure• Using library spaces and collections with care and consideration• Signing and abiding with the Acceptable Use Policy for technology services and

information systems

3.5 Student Engagement The College is committed to involving you in decision-making about changes to your

experience both at a programme- and College-wide level. The relationship between the institution and its student body is fundamental to successful academic review and renewal.


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The College commits to:• Ensuring that all Heads of Programme meet elected student representatives at

least once a month• Convening two Programme Review Committees per academic year to review with

elected student representatives the academic health and progress of each programme

• Providing students with an opportunity to give anonymous feedback on their experience through the annual Masters Student Survey and publishing an institutional report on its outcomes

• Convening three Programme Forums per academic year to facilitate discussion on important changes or plans for the programme’s future

You commit to:• Electing four student representatives for each programme• Communicating your views to elected student representatives • Participating in the annual Masters Student Survey• Attending Programme Forums

3.6 Student Support The College aims to ensure that you are fully supported throughout your studies and

beyond. There is a wide range of specialist student support available at the RCA. This support includes practical welfare advice, learning support and help in achieving your goals after you graduate.


• Providing access to high quality and confidential welfare support on issues of disability, finance, accommodation, counselling and occupational health

• Providing access to dedicated support services for international students• Providing access to specialist learning support services for Dyslexia and English for

Academic Purposes • Providing College-wide inductions to the history, ethos and infrastructure of the

College You commit to:

• Ensuring that you are aware of what welfare support is available to you• Ensuring that you are aware of what international student support is available ot

you• Ensuring that you are aware of what specialist learning support is available to you• Attending College-wide induction evenets where possible

3.7 Community The RCA is committed to creating an environment of mutual respect, where

differences are valued and respected and where innovation, creativity and diversity can flourish. Positive working relationships - whether between staff and staff, staff and students or students and students - are central to this. Mutual respect is facilitated by the promotion of values of dignity, courtesy and respect, alongside a culture of zero tolerance of bullying and harassment.

The College maintains an Equality and Diversity Policy to ensure that these values are upheld.

The College and students commit to:

• Helping to sustain a community where differences are valued and respected • Reporting any incidents of bullying, harrassment or discrimination

Incidents of bullying, harassment or discrimination can be confidentially reported to a

Personal Tutor, Head of Programme, Students’ Union representative or member of the Student Support team.


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4 RESEARCH STUDENT CHARTER

4.1 Introduction This Research Student Charter articulates the educational ethos and research culture

of the College and defines the responsibilities of College and student. It is divided into the following aspects:

• Undertaking Research• Development and Progression• Resources• Student Engagement• Student Support• Community

The Student Charter was developed in partnership between the College and its Students’ Union. The Learning and Teaching Committee reviews it on an annual basis. It complements individual Programme Handbooks and the RCA Regulations, which provide a fuller description of programme-specific aims, methods and outcomes and College-wide policies and processes.

4.2 Undertaking Research

The RCA was rated the most research-intensive art and design university in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Academic staff and research students contribute to the research culture of individual Schools as well as working across disciplines and Schools, undertaking pioneering research across the range of disciplinary provision within the College, which brings high levels of positive economic, social and cultural impact.

The belief that knowledge can be generated, and questions answered, through experimentation, creative enquiry, analytical scholarship and development of innovative artefacts and designs, underpins our research projects and outcomes. The College offers an environment which balances intellectual, technical and professional development and that challenges and supports you to develop as a researcher. In return, we expect you to be independent, able to set and pursue individual goals.

You will become part of a diverse international community of artists, designers and thinkers willing to test the boundaries of their practice and discipline. This community will be the greatest resource that you can draw on throughout your studies (and potentially beyond).


• Offering a research environment that enables intellectual, technical and academic development

• Providing academic support from staff at the forefront of their discipline• Providing you with a Research Student Handbook when you start at the College

that describes the research student experience• Providing a programme of supervisory meetings and research training

opportunities such as the Research Methods Course • Providing opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and partnership working

as appropriate in the context of students’ research• Ensuring you are provided with suitably trained and academically-relevant

supervisors

You commit to:• Setting and pursuing your individual goals through your supervisory relationship• Seeking, listening to and reflecting on academic support offered


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• Ensuring that you understand the philosophy and structure of your programme• Arranging in supervisory meetings and taking advantage of development

opportunities where possible• Making informed decisions about collaboration and partnership opportunities and

the potential benefits to your research• Participating in your School’s research forum or equivalent, where appropriate

4.3 Development and Progression

To ensure that you are supported throughout your programme you will be assigned supervisor(s), at least one of whom will be from your own School. Through supervisory meetings, you are able to demonstrate the progress of your research and receive formal feedback. Tutorials should be orientated towards milestones of achievement, but will also incorporate critical comments, advice and guidance on the student’s work, the standard that is required and relevant resources and approaches.

Interim Examination of your work will take place by the end of May annually, focusing on the progress of your research programme and consideration of training needs. Final viva voce examination is convened to demonstrate that you have fulfilled the objectives of the programme of research and achieved the standards required.

The college commits to:• Supporting completion of a Supervision Tutorial Log (PDP1) after each formal

supervisory meeting• Supporting completion of a Training Needs Analysis (PDP2) at the first supervisory

session of each new academic year• Communicating the availability of supervisory staff for supervisions• Providing training in research methods through the Research Methods Course• Preparing you for interim and final examination• Providing clear guidance for final submission requirements • Responding to your emails within five working days within term time

You commit to:• Engaging with your supervisor in a professional manner• Prepare for and engage in critical discussion about your progress• Identifying personal development needs, and seeking opportunities for personal

development• Taking responsibility for scheduling your own supervisory meetings• Fully participating in the RMC, unless exempted• Abiding by the requirements and processes set out in the RCA Academic

Regulations, and following Handbook guidance on the submission and presentation of your work in examinations

• Routinely checking your College email account and responding to reasonable requests for information from the Research Office

4.4 Resources

The College offers access to specialist facilities, as well as studio space, bookable gallery spaces, library facilities and social spaces. Traditional workshop facilities are maintained in all areas of the College, alongside cutting-edge digital technologies and specialist library facilities. The majority of these facilities are open to all students, although access will be prioritised according to academic need at periods of high demand.


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The College commits to:• Providing access to all available specialist technical resources based on academic

need• Providing complete information on all College technical resources and support

available• Providing clean, safe and secure access to appropriate studio and/or collaborative

space across extended opening times• Providing access to an extensive collection of library material, including special

collections and archives• Providing free access to RCA information technology resources, services and

support (including RCA email and Intranet access for life)

You commit to:• Planning ahead so that you have established academic need for and availability of

technical resources• Ensuring that you understand and operate under College procedures for safe and

proper use, and attending inductions where necessary• Helping to keep the space clean, safe and secure• Using the library spaces and collections with care and consideration• Signing and abiding with the Acceptable Use Policy for technology services and

information systems

4.5 Student Engagement

The College is committed to involving you in decision-making about changes to your experience both at a School- and College-wide level. The relationship between the institution and its student body is fundamental to successful academic review and renewal.

In addition to your relationship with your School, research is supported by the work of the Research Office. Throughout your time at the College, engaging with Research Office activity such as research student forums or communicating them will play an important role in your studies.

The College commits to:• Ensuring that all senior members of Schools meet elected student representatives

at least once a month• Convening two meetings per academic year to review with elected students

representatives the research provision, environment and resource available • Providing students with an opportunity to give anonymous feedback on their

experience through an annual Student Survey and publishing an institutional report on its outcomes

• Providing College-wide for a for consideration of the health of research programmes, and annual monitoring of research programmes through Annual Programme Reviews

• Working with the Students’ Union to help improve the research student experience

You commit to:• Electing up to four student representatives for each School• Communicating your views to elected student representatives• Participating in the annual Research Student Surveys • Engaging with representatives who attend Learning and Teaching Committee, and

also the SU for Academic Standards Committee• Ensure issues affecting the broader research student body are reported to the

Students’ Union through representatives


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4.6 Student Support

The College aims to ensure that you are fully supported throughout your studies and beyond. There is a wide range of specialist student support available at the RCA. This support includes practical welfare advice, learning support and help in achieving your goals after you graduate.

The College commits to:• Providing access to high quality and confidential welfare support on issues of

disability, finance, accommodation, counselling and occupational health• Providing access to dedicated support services for international students• Providing access to specialist learning support services for Dyslexia and English for

Academic Purposes• Providing College-wide inductions to the history, ethos and infrastructure of the

College

You commit to:• Ensuring that you are aware of what welfare support is available to you• Ensuring that you are aware of what international student support is available to

you• Ensuring that you are aware of what specialist learning support is available to you• Attending College-wide induction events where possible

4.7 Community

The RCA is committed to creating an environment of mutual respect, where differences are valued and respected and where innovation, creativity and diversity can flourish. Positive working relationships - whether between staff and staff, staff and students or students and students - are central to this. Mutual respect is facilitated by the promotion of values of dignity, courtesy and respect, alongside a culture of zero tolerance of bullying and harassment.

The College maintains an Equality and Diversity Policy to ensure that these values are upheld.

We all commit to:

• Helping to sustain a community where differences are valued and respected• Reporting any incidents of bullying, harassment or discrimination

Incidents of bullying, harassment or discrimination can be confidentially reported to a Supervisor, Dean, Director of Research & Innovation, Students’ Union representative or member of the Student Support team.

5 DYSLEXIA POLICY

5.1 Policy statement The College acknowledges that the cluster of differences linked to processing

language (both written and spoken) reading, memory and organisation associated with the terms ‘dyslexia’, ‘dyspraxia’ and other related specific learning difficulties is prevalent within art and design education. Within these Regulations the term ‘dyslexia’ will be used in a comprehensive way to refer to all of the above.

The College is committed to ensuring that students with dyslexia are selected and supported on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal


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opportunities within the College, enabling them to perform to their full potential. The College will, as outlined in the Disability Equality Scheme, provide support for students and staff with dyslexia in accordance with the requirements of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA).

5.2 Background information

What is Dyslexia? ‘Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which mainly affects the development of

literacy and language related skills. It is likely to be present at birth and to be lifelong in its effects. It is characterised by difficulties with phonological processing, rapid naming, working memory, processing speed, and the automatic development of skills that may not match up to an individual’s other cognitive abilities. It tends to be resistant to conventional teaching methods, but its effects can be mitigated by appropriately specific intervention, including the application of information technology and supportive counselling.’ (British Dyslexia Association)

What is Dyspraxia? ‘Developmental dyspraxia is an impairment or immaturity of the organisation of

movement. It is an immaturity in the way that the brain processes information, which results in messages not being properly or fully transmitted. The term dyspraxia comes from the word praxis, which means ‘doing, acting’. Dyspraxia affects the planning of what to do and how to do it. It is associated with problems of perception, language and thought. Dyspraxia is thought to affect up to ten per cent of the population and up to two per cent severely. Males are four times more likely to be affected than females. Dyspraxia sometimes runs in families. There may be an overlap with related conditions.’ (Dyspraxia Foundation).

Although some students will have severe difficulties, others will have learnt strategies to manage these by the time they register at the College. This does not mean, however, that their underlying difficulty has disappeared. A good number of students will not have been diagnosed as dyslexic before their arrival at the College. For some the diagnosis of a specific learning difficulty may come as a relief; an explanation for previous poor performance. For others a diagnosis is less welcome, and may initially lower confidence.

All personal information about individual students is regarded as confidential and the student’s permission must be obtained before information about their dyslexia is communicated to anyone else, including members of staff responsible for teaching them or providing support. The benefits of disclosing their dyslexia to the necessary members of staff are explained to students prior to inviting them to sign a consent form.

Some people with dyslexia will experience difficulties not exclusively associated with a disparity between ability in speaking and in reading and writing. These difficulties might include perceptual problems such as spatial orientation, sequencing and other organisational skills, hand–eye control (legibility of writing) and poor short-term memory. Even if the student has learnt to be relatively fluent in some skills, he or she may still have difficulty in other areas and, in stressful situations, may become less skilled than usual. The range of effects of these conditions means that dyslexic students at the College have difficulty with work in the studio not just with Humanities courses.

5.3 Dyslexia Support at the RCA In recognition of the high incidence of dyslexia among students of art and design,

in 2001 the College commissioned an investigation by an external consultant.


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The consultant’s report (‘Report on Dyslexia: developing provision and support at the Royal College of Art’, Katherine Kindersley, November 2001) identified a high incidence (approximately 25 per cent) of dyslexia among RCA students and made a number of recommendations, including the appointment of a Dyslexia Coordinator and the formation of a Dyslexia Forum. The College formed a working party and produced an Action Plan (2002) in response.

Dyslexia coordinator The Dyslexia Coordinator provides a service which includes advice on dyslexia-related

issues, individual dyslexia screening tests and assessment arrangements, academic support, strategy workshop sessions, support for organisational difficulties and individual tutorial help with dissertations, study skills, time management and presentation techniques.

Dyslexia Forum A Dyslexia Forum, which meets twice a year, oversees development of dyslexia

support at the College, including the opportunities provided by emerging technology. It is chaired by the Director of Information, Learning and Technical Services and attended by the Dyslexia Coordinator, with programmeal representation from studio areas, the Critical & Historical Studies Programme, Occupational Health and Student Support. The Dyslexia Forum reports to the Equality and Diversity Committee, which in turn reports to Senate.

Dyslexia screening and assessment The College undertakes to screen and to arrange dyslexia assessment and needs

assessment for students, both of which are necessary in order to claim a DSA (Disabled Student’s Allowance).

A diagnostic assessment for dyslexia includes:

• a screening test• an exploration and assessment of cognitive or neurological strengths and weaknesses.

The College will guide the student through the process of assessment.

5.4 Financial assistance The Disability Equality Scheme in the College Regulations details some of the

financial assistance available. In addition students may apply for the following:

UK Students

Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA)Postgraduate students from the UK (full-time or part-time) are eligible to apply to Local Authorities (LAs) for a DSA if they have been assessed as having a disability, such as dyslexia. The allowances are intended to cover extra costs or expenses that may arise while studying, which are a direct result of dyslexia.

For students who have not been previously assessed, the College will pay the major

part of the assessment fee. Students will be required to make a contribution. Payment for assessments is administered by the Student Support Office.

International Students

International students, including EU students who do not qualify as UK students for statutory student support purposes, are not eligible for a DSA. However:• Students who have not previously been assessed may apply to the Student

Support Office for help with the payment of the assessment fee. • One-to-one support is provided by the Dyslexia Coordinator as required. • Students can also apply to the International Student Disability Fund.

The Student Support Manager will conduct a needs assessment before


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allocating funds.

5.5 Teaching strategies Students with dyslexia should be able to rely on the positive attitudes and

cooperation of College staff. Information and guidance on good practice is disseminated college-wide through programmeal representation on the Dyslexia Forum. This guidance is passed on to academic staff through course forums, to Programme Administrators and Technicians and at inductions for new staff.

One of the responsibilities of the Dyslexia Forum is to identify specific guidelines for various teaching contexts within the College. These guidelines are made available in Dyslexia Support – RCA Intranet. ‘Dyslexia: A Student Handbook’ is also available on the RCA Intranet and the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

5.6 Support for staff with Dyslexia Members of College staff can undergo a screening test and if thought to be dyslexic

will be referred to the HR Officer, who can advise them about going for an assessment and subsequently applying for ‘Access to Work’ funding.

5.7 Information & Learning Services There are various forms of support available within Information & Learning Services

for students and staff with dyslexia. These include:

Library skills workshops The Library offers a programme of workshops each term aimed at enhancing student

learning by ensuring independent and effective use of information resources both within the Library and externally. The workshops, which are designed to help students develop their research skills, focus on the use of electronic and external information resources, including a number of bibliographical databases.

Reading material – key texts in the library The Library holds a collection of books on study skills, learning styles and more

generally about dyslexia. A list of these is available on the College Intranet and VLE.

Technical support A number of College lectures are recorded and made available to view in the Library.

Audio-visual (AV) Services will provide copies of these to individual students on request. Digital audio recorders are also available from AV Services for short-term loan, to record course-based events, tutorials, etc.

5.8 Sources of information Information for students and staff about dyslexia support at the RCA is made

available in a number of ways:• at registration• at induction• in the Prospectus• in the Student Handbook• on the College Intranet• on the College VLE (RCADE)• on the College website • through the Student Support Office• through the Dyslexia Support Office.

In addition, a list of websites providing useful information about dyslexia is available

on the College Intranet and VLE.


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6 COLLEGE POLICY ON HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE The College recognises its responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of all its

students and employees. If any member of the College develops any infectious, psychological or life-

threatening illness, the College will take reasonable steps to safeguard that person’s welfare and continued position in the College.

Anyone wishing to consult the Occupational Health Programme or Counselling Service on any health or welfare issues is encouraged to do so in the knowledge that all consultations are held in complete confidence.

7 DRUG AND ALCOHOL MISUSE POLICY

Policy Statement The College has a legal responsibility to provide a safe and healthy study and work

environment for its students, staff and visitors. The College condemns the misuse of alcohol and other substances, or the possession

or supply of illicit drugs.

The inability of students and staff of the College, or visitors, to perform their work responsibly and safely because of the effects of alcohol, drugs or other substances will not be tolerated.

7.1 Illegal drugs

7.1.1 Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 it is an offence for the occupier of premises or a person concerned in the management of any premises knowingly to permit or suffer activities such as the smoking of cannabis or the supply of a controlled drug to another person to take place in those premises.

7.1.2 The College will take appropriate disciplinary action in such cases. This action may include the termination of a student’s studies or a member of staff’s employment. In addition the offences will be referred to the police.

7.2 Alcohol

7.2.1 While alcohol is not illegal and its consumption, subject to the Licensing Act 1964, is allowed on College premises, there is concern about its inappropriate use during the working day and during social events.

7.2.2 Heads of Programme are expected to discourage their staff and students from consuming alcohol during the working day. Staff and students must not drink at all before using hazardous chemicals, machinery or equipment.

7.2.3 Staff organising social events outside working hours must ensure that the event is properly managed.

7.2.4 Licence holders and events organisers are expected to manage premises and events responsibly.

7.3 Personal support The College acknowledges its responsibility in fulfilling its caring and supportive role

in the welfare of students and staff. Those who appear to be in need of help and support with alcohol- or drug-related problems should be referred by their head of programme or line manager to the Occupational Health Programm, Imperial College. Self-referral to the OH is encouraged.


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Occupational Health offer confidential and impartial advice to promote the

health, safety and welfare of staff and students. The services provided include confidential counselling. If a member of staff is referred for substance abuse treatment or counselling, the time taken away from work to attend will be treated as paid sick leave.

7.4 The individual and the community The individual circumstances surrounding each alcohol- or drug-related problem will

be taken into consideration, recognising that a variety of responses will be necessary. The College will balance the interests and concerns of the person experiencing the problem with those of other members of the College community.

In each case the College will seek to be supportive of the individual concerned but

there will be circumstances where, because of safety implications or the wellbeing of other staff or students, the conduct of the individual may warrant disciplinary action. Advice is available from the HR Department.

8 EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY

8.1 Introduction The Royal College of Art is committed to creating an environment of mutual respect,

where differences are valued and respected and where innovation, creativity and diversity can flourish. Positive working relationships - whether between staff and staff, staff and students or students and students - are central to this. Mutual respect is facilitated by the promotion of values of dignity, courtesy and respect, alongside a culture of zero tolerance of bullying and harassment.

The aim of this policy is to ensure that everyone is treated fairly, irrespective of age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy, maternity, gender identity, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity or national origin, sexual orientation, religion or belief, social background or culture, trade union membership or part-time status. The College values diversity and recognises that people with different backgrounds, cultures, skills and experiences bring new ideas, ensuring the College can develop, innovate and harness the individual ability.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the following policy;• Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Victimisation policy – The Right to Respect

8.2 Staff accountabilities8.2.1 All staff are expected to:

• take appropriate measures to ensure that they do not unlawfully discriminate, bully or harass others

• should notify their line manager or Human Resources of inappropriate behaviour witnessed taking place or reasonably suspected to be taking place

8.2.2 Deans of Schools, Directors, Heads of Programme/Departments Administrative/Line Managers, All other staff are expected to:

• have a responsibility to ensure the Equality and Diversity Policy is observed and implemented within their area of work

• should alert Human Resources of any suspected breaches

8.2.3 Director of Human Resources/Chief Operating Officer • audit and review on a regular basis all policy and procedures• ensure compliance with changes to legislation• compare and promote best practice against similar organisations


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8.2.4 Rector • oversee the implementation of the Equality and Diversity Policy

8.3 Implementation The College is committed to a programme of action to ensure that the Equality and

Diversity Policy is effective by:• Advising senior management, other appropriate members of staff and committees

of the College in matters of equal opportunities;• Providing training and/or guidance in the equality and diversity policy and those

provisions, relevant to their responsibilities and employment legislation;• Stating on relevant material that it is an equal opportunities employer;• Ensuring that all material is consistent with the College’s equality and diversity

policy;• Issuing each student and staff member with a copy of this statement;• Including reference to the Equality and Diversity Policy in terms and conditions of

employment and asking new employees to confirm that they have read the policy as part of their terms and conditions of employment;

• Posting the policy on the web• Monitoring implementation and taking appropriate action when necessary.

8.4 Equality Legislation and Definitions The Equality Act 2010 incorporates previous legislation including the Sex

Discrimination Act, the Race Relations and Disability Discrimination Act to provide a consistent approach to comply with the law.

Types of unlawful discrimination• Direct discrimination: This occurs when someone is treated less favourably

because of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, compared to another person.For example, a decision made to not employ a person because of their gender or sexual orientation.

• Indirect discrimination: This occurs when a practice, policy or procedure appears to treat everyone equally but in fact it has the effect of disadvantaging certain groups (and cannot be justified in relation to the job.) For example, a particular practice might disadvantage people of one gender, or from one ethnic background

• Harassment: Where unwanted conduct violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

• Associative discrimination: This is direct discrimination against an individual because they associate withanother person who possesses one of the ‘protected characteristics’ of discrimination.

• Perceptive discrimination: Discrimination against an individual on the perception that the other person has a particular protected characteristic

• Victimisation: Treated less favourably and subject todetriment because of a complaint orintending to pursue a complaint or grievance made under the Equality Act 2010.

8.5. Managing diversity The College aims to promote policies, practices and procedures to create a working

culture that values, welcomes and harnesses those differences and enables people to develop and progress to their full potential. The following types of discrimination are protected under the Equality Act 2010 and within the College’s Equality and Diversity policy.

8.6 Recruitment and selection The RCA encourages applications from all eligible applicants regardless of the person

possessing a protected characteristic. It is committed to ensuring that all stages of the admissions process are free from discrimination. The College will also make reasonable adjustments required to the admissions process to ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged because of their disability. Admissions panel members

are required to attend equality & diversity training.

http://person.For


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8.7 Disability discrimination Disability can be defined as ‘a physical or mental impairment which is substantial and

long term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities’. The College complies with all relevant disability related legislation and will take all reasonable adjustments in order to accommodate a student’s disability.

8.9 Gender reassignment Gender reassignment is a process by which a person’s gender presentation (the way

they appear to others) is changed. Anyone who proposes to, starts or has completed a process to change his or her gender is protected from discrimination under the Equality Act. An individual does not need to be undergoing medical supervision to be protected. It is discrimination to treat transsexual people less favourably for being absent because they propose to undergo, are undergoing, or have undergone gender reassignment than they would be treated if they were absent because they were ill or injured.

8.10 Race discrimination It is illegal to treat a person less favourably because of their colour, nationality and

ethnic or national origins. The College ensures that all their processes and procedures eliminates unlawful racial discrimination, promotes equality of opportunity and promote good relations between people of different racial groups.

The four areas which are covered by discrimination;• direct discrimination• indirect discrimination• harassment• victimisation

Please refer to 7.4 above for full meaning.

8.11 Religion or belief The Act protects people from discrimination on the grounds of religion and/or beliefs

or lack of religion or beliefs. The College ensures that everyone is treated fairly by embracing the cultural, religious and non-religious beliefs and applies this principle within all its policies and procedures.

8.12 Sexual orientation Under the grounds of sexual orientation in Equality Act 2010, all bisexual, gay,

heterosexual and lesbian people are protected and it is unlawful for someone to be treated less favourably at the College because of their sexual orientation.

Sexual orientation is defined as people who are attracted to;• people who are the same sex as them• people who are the opposite sex to them• people of both sexes

8.13 Committees An Equality and Diversity Committee chaired by the Chief Operating Officer is a joint committee made up of staff, trade unions and student union members which meets

each term to ensure that the College meets its legal obligations and to promote equality and diversity within the College.

8.14 Process: dispute or concerns Students may make a complaint of discrimmination using the Student Complaints Procedure. Initially the student may wish to seek a confidential interview with his or her Personal Tutor, Year Coordinator, Head of Programme, a Students’ Union representative, the Student Support Manager or a member of the Occupational Health Service, Imperial College.


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9 ANTI-BULLYING, HARASSMENT AND VICTIMISATION PROCEDURE - RIGHT TO RESPECT

9.1 Code of practice for equal opportunity at Royal College of Art within employment

The Royal College of Art is committed to creating an environment of mutual respect, where differences are valued and respected and where innovation, creativity and diversity can flourish. Positive working relationships - whether between staff and staff, staff and students or students and students - are central to this. Mutual respect is facilitated by the promotion of values of dignity, courtesy and respect, alongside a culture of zero tolerance of bullying and harassment. The aim of this policy is to ensure that everyone is treated fairly, irrespective of age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy, maternity, gender identity, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity or national origin, sexual orientation, religion or belief, social background or culture,

trade union membership or part-time status. The College values diversity and recognises that people with different backgrounds, cultures, skills and experiences bring new ideas, ensuring the College can develop, innovate and harness the individual ability. This policy is committed to providing equal opportunities and to avoiding unlawful discrimination.

9.2 Staff Accountabilities9.2.1 All staff:

• are expected to take appropriate measures to ensure that they do not unlawfully discriminate, bully or harass others

• should notify their line manager or Human Resources of inappropriate behaviour witnessed taking place or reasonably suspected to be taking place

9.2.2 Deans of Schools Directors; Heads of Programme/Departments; Administrative/Line Managers; All other staff• have a responsibility to ensure the equality and diversity policy is observed and

implemented within their area of work• should alert Human Resources of any suspected breaches

9.2.3 Director of Human Resources/ Chief Operating Officer• audit and review on a regular basis all• policy and procedures• ensure compliance with changes to • legislation• compare and promote best practice• against similar organisations

9.2.4 Rector • oversee the implementation of the Equality and Diversity policy.

9.3 Implementation The College is committed to a programme of action to ensure that the Equality and

Diversity Policy is effective by:• Advising senior management, other appropriate members of staff and committees

of the College in matters of equal opportunities in employment;• Providing training and/or guidance in the equality and diversity policy and those

provisions, relevant to their responsibilities and employment legislation;• Stating on relevant material that it is an equal opportunities employer;• Ensuring that all material is consistent with the College’s equality and diversity

policy;• Issuing each member of staff with a copy of this statement;• Including reference to the equality and diversity policy in terms and conditions of• employment and asking new employees to confirm that they have read the policy

as part of their terms and conditions of employment;


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• Posting the policy on the web.• Monitoring implementation and taking appropriate action when necessary.

9.4 Equality Legislation and Definitions The Equality Act 2010 incorporates previous legislation including the Sex

Discrimination Act, the Race Relations and Disability Discrimination Act to provide consistent approach to comply with the law.

Types of unlawful discrimination:• Direct discrimination: This occurs when someone is treated less favourably

because of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, compared to another person. For example, a decision made to not employ a person because of their gender or sexual orientation.

• Indirect discrimination: This occurs when a practice, policy or procedure appears to treat everyone equally but in fact it has the effect of disadvantaging certain groups (and cannot be justified in relation to the job.) For example, a particular practice might disadvantage people of one gender, or from one ethnic background.

• Harassment: Where unwanted conduct violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

• Associative discrimination: This is direct discrimination against an individual because they associate with another person who possesses one of the ‘protected characteristics’ of discrimination.

• Perceptive discrimination: Discrimination against an individual on the perception that the other person has a particular protected characteristic.

• Victimisation: Treated less favourably and subject to detriment because of a complaint or intending to pursue a complaint or grievance made under the Equality Act 2010.

9.5. Managing diversity The College aims to promote policies, practices and procedures, to create a culture

that values, welcomes and harnesses those differences and enables people to develop and progress to their full potential. The following types of discrimination are protected under the Equality Act 2010 and within the College’s Equality and Diversity policy.

9.6. Recruitment and selection The RCA is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all

eligible applicants regardless of the person possessing a protected characteristic. The College is committed to ensuring that all stages of the admissions process is free from unlawful discrimination. The College will also make reasonable adjustments required to the recruitment process to ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged because of their disability. All admissions panel members are required to attend equality & diversity training.

9.7 Disability discrimination Disability can be defined as ‘a physical or mental impairment which is substantial and

long term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities’. The College complies with all relevant disability related legislation and will take all reasonable adjustments in order to accommodate a person’s disability. Under the Equality Act 2010.

9.8 Gender reassignment Gender reassignment is a process by which a person’s gender presentation (the way

they appear to others) is changed. Anyone who proposes to, starts or has completed a process to change his or her gender is protected from discrimination under the Equality Act. An individual does not need to be undergoing medical supervision to be protected. It is discrimination to treat transsexual people less favourably for being absent because they propose to undergo, are undergoing, or have undergone gender reassignment than they would be treated if they were absent because they were ill or


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injured.

9.9 Race discrimination It is illegal to treat a person less favourably because of their colour, nationality and

ethnic or national origins. The College ensures that all their processes and procedures eliminates unlawful racial discrimination, promotes equality of opportunity and promote good relations between people of different racial groups.

The four areas which are covered by discrimination;• direct discrimination• indirect discrimination• harassment• victimisation

Please refer to 8.4 above for full meaning.

9.10 Religion or belief The Act protects people from discrimination on the grounds of religion and/or beliefs

or lack of religion or beliefs. The College ensures that everyone is treated fairly by embracing the cultural, religious and non-religious beliefs and applies this principle within all policies and procedures.

9.11 Sexual orientation Under the grounds of sexual orientation in Equality Act 2010, all bisexual, gay,

heterosexual and lesbian people are protected and it is unlawful for someone to be treated less favourable at the College because of their sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is defined as people who are attracted to;• people who are the same sex as them• people who are the opposite sex to the or• people of both sexes

9.12 Additional condition of employment covered by the College Employees requiring special leave to meet family, cultural or religious obligations will

be given sympathetic considerations within the normal terms or employment. The College recognises the special needs of those with responsibility for child care or

have the responsibility of caring for a member of the family. Please refer to the family friendly policies which will be considered for all employees whose personal circumstances have changed and wish to apply for flexible working arrangements.

All reasonable efforts will be made to enable an individual to continue working following illness or the onset of disability.

9.13 Committees An Equality and Diversity Committee chaired by the Chief Operating Officer is a joint committee made up of staff, trade unions and student union members which meets

each term to ensure that the College meets its legal obligations and to promote equality and diversity within the College.

9.14 Process: dispute or concerns relating to rights at work Staff who believe they have been subjected to unfair discrimination should raise their concerns with their manager or Head of Department in the first instance. Staff can

also seek advice from human resources. The disciplinary process will be invoked in the case of a breach of the equality and diversity policy by a College employee. Any member of the public, visitor or service provider involved in discrimination or harassment, appropriate or serious action will be taken.

9.15 Process: dispute or concerns Students may make a complaint of bullying or harrassment using the Student

Complaints Procedure. Initially the student may wish to seek a confidential interview with his or her Personal Tutor, Year Coordinator, head of programme, a Students’ Union representative, the Student Support Manager or a member of the Occupational


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Health Service, Imperial College.

10 CODE OF CONDUCT ON PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS Introduction This code of conduct applies to all staff of the College. It provides guidance in areas

where personal relationships overlap with working relationships and is intended to ensure that individual members of staff do not act with impropriety, bias, abuse of authority or conflict of interest and do not lay themselves open to allegations of such conduct.

The College values and relies upon the professional integrity of relationships between members of staff and students. In order that the College operates and is perceived to operate in a professional and proper manner it is necessary to recognise, and take account of, personal relationships which overlap with professional relationships.

Relationships between staff and students The College believes that the professional relationship between a student and

members of staff is vital to a student’s educational development and affirms that the teaching relationship is based on trust. Although students join the College as mature adults, any staff/student professional relationship embodies an imbalance of power. It is important that staff do not abuse this position, either intentionally or unintentionally. In this context a professional relationship is defined as one where there is an assessing, supervising, tutoring, teaching or pastoral role or a role providing administrative or technical support. Students are entitled to equality of treatment and it is important that a personal relationship between a member of staff and a student does not prejudice that equality of treatment. In this context, a personal relationship is defined as a family relationship, a business/commercial/financial relationship or a sexual/romantic relationship.

Staff should not enter into a sexual/romantic relationship with a student for whom they have a responsibility for assessing, supervising, tutoring, teaching, for pastoral care or for whom they are required to provide administrative or technical support. Staff should not enter into a business, commercial or financial relationship with a student which could compromise, or could be perceived to compromise, the objectivity and professional standing of the tutorial relationship.

The College recognises, however, that such relationships may pre-exist when a member of staff is appointed or when a student registers. Where a member of staff has a professional role in relation to a student with whom he or she has a personal relationship, he or she must inform his or her head of programme (or Pro-Rector if the member of staff is a head of programme), in order that alternative teaching, tutoring or assessment arrangements may be made.

Staff may seek guidance on the implementation of this Code, on a confidential basis, from the Chief Operating Officer. Students may seek guidance on the implementation of the Code on a confidential basis from the Student Support Manager or from the Students’ Union.

Relationships between members of staff Where a personal relationship develops between members of staff who are in a line

management or supervisory relationship, involvement in appraisal, promotion or any other management activity or process involving the other party must cease. Additionally, staff in a personal relationship should not work together in any circumstance whereby a breach of financial control may occur.


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Declaration of personal relationships Where a personal relationship is not declared and results in an unfair advantage or

disadvantage to either of the parties to the relationship (be they a member of staff or a student), this will lead to disciplinary action.

11 GUIDANCE ON RELIGION AND BELIEF

Dress code The College imposes no dress code on its employees, and welcomes the variety of

appearance brought by individual styles and choices. The wearing of items arising from particular cultural/religious norms (e.g. hijab, kippah, mangal sutra, turban) is seen as part of this welcome diversity.

This diversity is subject to the following limitations: • health and safety requirements may mean that for certain tasks specific items of

clothing such as overalls and protective clothing need to be worn. If such clothing produces a conflict with an individual’s religious belief, the issue will be sympathetically considered by the line manager, with the aim of finding a satisfactory compromise.

• dress should conform to the current majority view in our society of what constitutes appropriateness and decency

• wearing slogans or symbols which are discriminatory (e.g. racist or sexist) is a disciplinary offence and will be dealt with accordingly.

Religious observance The College will make reasonable efforts to provide a suitable space for prayer and

ablution if practical. In some cases individual requirements will be met by facilities in the neighbourhood. The College will provide information about these.

All staff, regardless of religious belief or non-belief, are required to work in accordance with their contract. There may be some flexibility over how the hours are worked. Line managers should make every attempt to ensure that those whose religion requires them to pray at certain times during the day are free to do so. In addition, reasonable efforts should be made to accommodate requests from those who, for example, require an extra hour at midday on Friday, or not to work beyond sunset on Friday or at the weekends in ways that conflict with their religious beliefs.

Leave for religious festivals By custom, holiday arrangements include a day off at Christmas and Good Friday,

both of which are Christian religious festivals, together with Easter Monday. In the interests of equality, those practising other religions or none will be able to book three days of their holiday entitlement on the dates of most significance to them, providing these days are booked at the beginning of the academic year. Further requests for holiday entitlement to be taken at times of religious significance will be treated sympathetically. The number of annual leave days overall will remain as in the contract of employment, for all staff, of any religious belief. The main religious dates for each year will be accessible through the College’s website.

Extended leave If a member of staff requests extended leave for the purpose of going on pilgrimage at

a particular time, the line manager should attempt to accommodate the request. If the extended leave exceeds the annual holiday entitlement, the excess days would be unpaid leave.

Staff with relatives abroad may have particular religious/cultural needs for occasional extended leave for births, weddings and deaths. Line managers should accede to such requests if reasonable and practicable.


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Food requirements The College undertakes to assess the demand for food that meets religious dietary

requirements (e.g. vegetarian, kosher, halal) in consultation with the relevant religious groups. It will provide such food in its canteen according to the demand for it.

Offensive actions or behaviour Any attempt at coercing others to comply with a particular belief system, for example

through distribution of propaganda or through threats or offensive remarks, will result in disciplinary action.

The College undertakes to remove/paint over any offensive literature or graffiti found

on its premises and to take action against those found responsible.

Implementation and responsibilities All line managers are responsible for familiarising themselves with this policy, and for

following it in matters such as requests for leave.

12 PUBLIC INTEREST WHISTLEBLOWING/PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE POLICY

12.1 Introduction The College is committed to the highest standards of openness, probity and

accountability. It seeks to conduct its affairs in a responsible manner, taking into account the requirements of the funding bodies and the Committee on Standards in Public Life (the Nolan Committee). The Public Interest Disclosure Act (1998) gives legal protection to employees against being dismissed or penalised by their employers as a result of publicly disclosing certain serious concerns. It is a fundamental term of every contract of employment that an employee will faithfully serve his or her employer and not disclose confidential information about the employer’s affairs. However, where an individual discovers information which he or she believes shows malpractice or wrongdoing within the organisation then this information should be disclosed without fear of reprisal. Such disclosure may be made independently of line management. This policy is intended to assist individuals who believe they have discovered malpractice or impropriety. It is not designed to question financial or business decisions taken by the College, nor may it be used to reconsider any matters which have already been dealt with under any grievance or disciplinary procedure. Although the Public Interest Disclosure Act applies only to ‘workers’, the College believes that it is important that the policy and its procedures should apply to all persons officially connected with the College, including students and lay members of Council. For the purposes of this policy, such persons shall be referred to as ‘Members of the College’.

12.2 Scope of the Policy The policy is designed to allow members of the College to raise concerns at a high

level or to disclose information which the individual believes may show malpractice. The policy is intended to cover concerns which are in the public interest and are not appropriately dealt with under existing disciplinary and grievance procedures. These might include:

• financial or non-financial malpractice, impropriety or fraud;• failure to comply with a legal obligation or with the Statutes, Ordinances and

Regulations of the College;• serious health and safety risks• damage to the environment;• criminal activity;• academic or professional malpractice;• miscarriage of justice


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• improper conduct or unethical behaviour;• attempts to suppress or conceal information relating to any of the above.

12.3 Safeguards

12.3.1 Protection This policy is designed to offer protection to those members of the College who disclose concerns in the public interest provided that the disclosure is made in good faith and in the reasonable belief of the individual making the disclosure that it reveals prima facie evidence of malpractice. The disclosure must not be made for reasons of personal gain and in the circumstances it must be reasonable to make the disclosure. Such individuals will be protected if they make the disclosure to the appropriate person (see section 4 below).

12.3.2 Confidentiality The College will treat all such disclosures in a confidential and sensitive manner. The identity of the individual making the disclosure will initially be kept confidential. However, any investigation process may reveal the source of the information, and the individual making the disclosure may need to provide a statement in order for the

matter to be pursued effectively.

12.3.3 Anonymous Allegations This policy encourages individuals to put their names to any disclosures they make. Concerns expressed anonymously are much less powerful, but they will be considered if they appear to be serious, credible and capable of being confirmed by other credible sources.

12.3.4 Untrue Allegations If an individual makes an allegation in good faith which is not confirmed by subsequent investigation no action will be taken against that individual. If, however,

an individual makes malicious or vexatious allegations, does not act in good faith, or makes the allegations for the purposes of personal gain, disciplinary action may be taken against the individual concerned.

12.4 Procedure for Making a Disclosure12.4.1 Initial Step If making the disclosure to the line manager is inappropriate or has proved ineffective the individual should make the disclosure to the Chief Operating Officer who has been

designated by the Council as the person responsible for considering such allegations. If, however, the disclosure is related to the Chief Operating Officer, then the disclosure may be made to the Rector. If the individual does not wish to make the disclosure to either of the above he or she may raise the matter with the Chairman of the Audit Committee, who can be contacted through the College’s internal auditors:

Mazars Tower Bridge House St Katharine’s Way London E1W 1DD Attention: Richard Bott

12.4.2 Process The designated person appointed by the Chief Operating Officer will consider the information available and decide if there is a prima facie case to answer. In doing so

the designated person will decide whether an investigation should be conducted and what form such an investigation should take. This will depend on the nature of the matter raised, and may include an internal investigation, an independent inquiry or referral to the Police.


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12.4.3 Investigation An initial investigation to establish all the relevant facts may be conducted by an independent officer of the College, who will report his/her findings to the designated person. Investigations should not be carried out by the person who will have to reach

a decision on the matter. Any investigation will be carried out as sensitively and speedily as possible. The designated person will consider the results of the investigation and may then invoke an internal procedure (e.g. disciplinary) or refer the matter to an external authority for further investigation.

12.4.4 Decision The designated person will inform the individual who made the disclosure what action

is to be taken. If no action is taken then the individual concerned should be informed of the reason for this and allowed the opportunity to remake the disclosure to the Chairman of the Council. The Chair of the Council will decide on an appropriate course of action based on the information available.

12.4.5 Reporting of Outcomes A record of all disclosures, and subsequent actions taken, will be kept by the director

of human resources who will retain such records for not less than three years. In all cases a report of the outcomes of any investigations will be made to the Audit Committee.

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Senior CollegeCommittees

S E N I O R C O L L EG E C O M M IT T E E S

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THE COURT The Court is the body empowered by the Charter to appoint the Visitor,

the Provost and the Treasurer of the College. The Court also appoints certain members to the Council.

The Court meets annually and receives the audited financial results of the College for the previous year and a report by the Rector on the workings of the College during the year. The membership, which is in excess of 300 people, includes the Officers of the College, the Emeritus Professors, the Professors, the Fellows and Honorary Fellows, and up to 12 co-opted members. The majority of the other Members are appointed by universities, City Livery Companies, trade associations and other organisations, as laid down in the College Statutes.

THE COUNCIL The Council is the governing body of the College.

It is empowered by the Charter to nominate to the Court a person for appointment as the Provost, to appoint the Pro-Provost and the Rector, to nominate to the Court a person for appointment as the Treasurer, to appoint, upon the recommendation of the Senate, the Pro-Rectors, and the Auditors.

The Council, in addition to the many other powers vested in it, is responsible for all matters concerning property and finance, for administrative policy and for any issues affecting the general welfare of the College. The membership is made up principally of lay members but includes a number of staff and students.

The Council normally meets four times a year.

Membership of the Council: Ex-officio: Pro-Provost and Chairman: Baroness Rebuck Provost: Sir James Dyson Rector: Dr Paul Thompson Treasurer: Caragh Merrick Pro-Rector: Professor Naren Barfield Chief Operating Officer: Richard Benson Co-President of Students’ Union: Hannah Evans

Twelve Members appointed by the Court: Professor Ricky Burdett Robert Careless Jennifer Duvalier Magdalene Odundo Lady Ritblat Professor Martin Roth Dame Marjorie Scardino Cathy Turner

Eight Members co-opted by the Council: Professor Rachel Cooper Professor Alice Gast Alan Leibowitz Patrick Plant John Studzinski Ed Williams

Student Member Co-Presidents of the Students’ Union: Francesca Tamse

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THE SENATE The Senate is chaired by the Rector and oversees the academic work of the College.

Subject to the powers reserved to the Council by the College Statutes, the Senate promotes and validates the academic work of the College both in teaching and in research and regulates the education, welfare and discipline of the students. The Senate agrees the appointment of External Examiners, new academic developments, student numbers and revisions to the Regulations.

It also approves the Final Examination results, awards the degrees, proposes student fees and agrees the Entrance Examination arrangements. The Senate normally meets four times a year.

Membership of the Senate: Ex-officio: Rector and Chair: Dr Paul Thompson Pro-Rector: Professor Naren Barfield Chief Operating Officer: Richard Benson Dean of School of Architecture: Dr Adrian Lahoud Dean of School of Communications: Professor Neville Brody Dean of School of Design: Professor Dale Harrow Dean of School ofFine Art: Professor Juan Cruz Dean ofSchool of Humanities: Professor Jane Pavitt Dean of School of Material: Professor Judith Mottram Director of Information, Learning & Technical Services: Dr Amanda Spencer Co-Presidents of the Students’ Union: Hannah Evans & Francesca Tamse

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In the Eventof a Fire

I N T H E E V E N T O F A F I R E

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IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE

BLUE FIRE ACTION NOTES ARE POSTED IN ALL BUILDINGS ON FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES

IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE:• Operate the nearest fire alarm call point.• Leave the building by the nearest available exit route closing the door behind you.

Do not use the lifts. • Do not attempt to fight the fire with a fire extinguisher unless you have been

trained AND it is safe to do so.

IF THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDS:• Switch off and make safe any equipment.• Leave the building by the nearest available exit route closing doors behind you.• Do not use lifts.• Go to the ASSEMBLY POINT for the building/ campus where you are located

Kensington Campus: Albert Hall Steps towards the Royal College of Music Battersea Campus: Albion Square, Hester Road

• Remain at the assembly point until security staff say that it is safe to enter the building.

• Fire Wardens are available to assist with the evacuation process and guide you to the ASSEMBLY POINT.

Regulations2016/2017Issued by:Director of Academic Development Royal College of ArtKensington Gore, LondonSW7 2EU

For any inquiries contact:[email protected]

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