Spp For Students

Student Protection Plan

The Student Protection Plan requires us to identify any risks to continuation of study for our students, measures put in place to mitigate those risks, arrangements for refund and compensation and for publication of the plan. This plan is based on our assessment of our risk profile in relation to the continuation of study for Middlesex University students as at 22 April 2022. You can download the Student Protection Plan.

The plan covers an assessment of the range of risks to the continuation of study for Middlesex students, and the measures put in place to mitigate those risks that the University considers to be reasonably likely to crystallise

One of the Middlesex University core values is ‘We put students first’. We have a regulatory framework to support student continuation of study, including:

• robust processes for approval of new programmes, amendment of programme content and discontinuation of programmes that follow expectations set out in the QAA Quality Code
• strong budget setting and management processes and regular reporting
• active student representation and requirements for student engagement in key programme matters
• a clear Complaints Procedure that complies with the OIA Good Practice Framework
• a governance structure that meets good practice standards and ensures decision-making is evidence-based and transparent.

Hendon campus

We have identified that the risk that the University will no longer be able to deliver programmes is negligible since the University is in a strong and robust position. We have no current plans to close departments or subject areas. We design our programmes to be taught by teams of academic staff and have access to specialist part-time staff, and appoint teams of supervisors to supervise research students. Thus we are not reliant on the availability of the expertise of a single individual to support students in a particular subject area. Our aim is to enable students to complete their programme and ensure that we have access to subject experts to enable students to complete.

In relation to the closure of programmes. we make decisions based on demand and currency of content, and inform applicants as soon as possible about programmes that we intend to close. Where possible, we will offer an alternative programme in a similar subject area or support undergraduate applicants to substitute their choice of university via UCAS.

If a programme closure is proposed, we implement our programme closure process which requires approval from the Academic Provision Approvals Committee. Current students will be consulted and provided with the opportunity to complete the programme or transfer to an equivalent alternative. We work with students to confirm options in relation to transfer to other programmes or modules and students have access to academic and professional services support via UniHelp and the Progression and Support team.

For courses in complementary medicine and interpreting and translation, currently in the process of closure, we have made arrangements with all students to ensure that they have the opportunity to complete their studies.

Malta campus

We notified students in January 2019 that we will be closing our Malta campus in September 2022. The risk to current students is low. The risk to current students is low since we are committed to ensuring that all students recruited can complete their programme of study within the scheduled time frames. We employ staff at Malta campus and will have access to staff at our Hendon campus to ensure that delivery to existing students can continue. Some of our programmes will remain open for recruitment for one or two more academic years because they can be completed by 2022.

In order to manage the closure, we have established a steering group led by the DVC (Learning and Innovation) with oversight of the closure process. An operational project board has responsibility for delivering and supporting activities designed to enable every student to complete their studies. In addition, it focuses on effective communication, coordination, transparency and best possible use of the allocated resources.

Apprenticeship programmes

We recognise that there may be risks associated with apprenticeship programmes, such as the risk of the employer no longer being able to support a student. The Apprenticeship Steering Group has been established to oversee the arrangements for the establishment and management of degree apprenticeships and continues to review the arrangements for apprenticeship programmes and contracts as we develop apprenticeship provision.

Overseas campuses (Dubai, Mauritius) and franchise partners

The risk that we close a programme at our Hendon campus that is delivered at one of our overseas campuses or franchised partners is low. We maintain relationships with local regulators so that we are aware of pending changes in local regulation or culture and can plan accordingly. We appoint link tutors and programme leaders who manage the relationship between the programmes offered at our Hendon campus and our overseas campuses and franchise partners. We will always ensure that students can complete their programmes.

Collaborative partners

The risk that students at a collaborative partner organisation are no longer able to study a Middlesex University programme because of closure or financial failure of the collaborative partner organisation is low. We have arrangements in place to oversee the financial and quality standing of collaborative partners. Memoranda of Co-operation between Middlesex University and the collaborative partner set out the terms under which a programme can be offered by a collaborative partner. All partners have contingency plans in place which identifies the arrangements that will be used should the specific partner and/or programme close or fail as a result of financial or other means. If a partner were to close we would implement the arrangements detailed in the plan.

Refund and Compensation

In the event that the University was unable to preserve continuation of study for students, it would seek to provide appropriate compensation to students. The University has established procedures for determining compensation. You can download the Refund and Compensation Policy.

Communication of plan

The Student Protection Plan is made available online on Student Protection Plan Document and on the Unihub site at University regulations and Policies. It is also communicated to students through links included in programme handbooks.

If the University closes a programme during the recruitment cycle, or makes changes to the programme, we inform applicants as early as possible in order to minimise the potential disruption to the application process. Where possible, we will offer an alternative programme in a similar subject area or support applicants’ substitution of choice to another institution via UCAS.

Where we make major changes to programmes, or make a decision to close a programme, students are notified by the programme leader, and provided with the information required to enable them to continue to study and to complete the programme. Students have access to independent advice via UniHelp and the Progression and Support team.