Students who are on courses such as teaching, or healthcare related courses like medicine, are bound by the University’s Code of Practice on Student Health and Conduct. The full procedure document can be downloaded from the Secretariat website under ‘6. Disciplinary’.

In order to protect members of the public, the relevant Statutory Bodies require the University to have procedures in place that can bar students from graduating with registrable qualifications in cases where they are “unfit to practise for health, behavioural or conduct reasons”.

Some reasons that this could include are:

• Substance abuse (including alcohol), or drug dealing
• Abuse or violence
• Indecency
• Unprofessional behaviour
• Criminal offences/convictions
• Some mental or physical health problems

Important: Please don’t hesitate to disclose or reach out for help with your mental or physical health problem. Support is available and this procedure is only considered in cases where concerns have been raised in relation to your chosen profession.

Each relevant School has their own guidance that explains what sorts of behaviours or concerns might be brought under this policy. There is also individual School guidance for their internal processes.

It’s important that the University are made aware of any issues as soon as possible so that they can be addressed properly.

You can read more about how this policy is applied in our related articles.

FAQs

If I am intercalating, can I still be found unfit to practise?

Yes, you are still bound by this policy as you remain a candidate for a registrable award during any intercalated period.

If I disclosed something in a confidential conversation, how come I’ve been brought under this procedure?

Staff and students are required to share information when they have knowledge of circumstances that may bring harm to members of the public (patients, pupils, etc.) - even if this was disclosed in an otherwise confidential setting. Best practice would be for the person to tell you they are going to break confidentiality beforehand, but depending on things like timing and risk, this won’t always be possible.

If I am no longer allowed to finish my registrable course, what options do I have?

Assuming you have not been withdrawn from the University (which is a possible outcome from this policy), you might be given an exit qualification or be allowed to transfer to another programme. The decision of transfer will be made by the new Parent School.

Any exit qualifications will be for non-registrable awards, meaning that you will not be qualified for the job you were training for.