Professional Training Charter

Our charter gives a summary of the University’s aspirations and expectations during your placement. It is not, however, a legally binding contract and it is not intended either to define or limit the legal rights and responsibilities of the University of Surrey, the University of Surrey Students’ Union, the placement provider and each student.

All students should ensure that they are aware of all policies and regulations published by the University and the Students’ Union which relate in any way to being a registered student and/or a member of the Students’ Union.

The University provides:

• A high-quality, relevant and ever improving academic experience for all students
• Library, IT, laboratory and teaching facilities including online access to journals, e-books, partner libraries, online IT training, use of University email and IT support
• A range of services ensuring students feel supported when necessary, including access to the Centre for Wellbeing, MySurrey Hive for advice on all aspects of student life, support from the Students’ Union and the International Engagement Office (if you are spending part of your placement abroad)
• A dedicated Professional Training team who regularly check and respond, in a timely manner, to emails and other communications from students, placement providers and staff
• An individual Placement Tutor who visits each student depending on the length of the placement or distances involved
• A placement return day (where applicable)
• Access to your personal tutor
• Access to other members of staff
• Assessment and feedback on Professional Training assignments completed as part of the placement module
• Regular opportunities for students to feedback (e.g. through student representatives, staff student liaison committee meetings, evaluation questionnaires etc) and a proactive approach towards enhancing the student experience
• Guidance to the placement organisation on the assessment criteria used by the University.

The Students' Union aims to:

• Provide students with the opportunity to feedback to the University and to enable continuous improvement of the services provided
• Support students to ensure they receive fair treatment, are treated equally and are aware of their rights and responsibilities
• Offer independent academic advice
• Provide a range of sports clubs, societies and other activities to enhance personal development, meet other students and develop hobbies and interests
• Support students in engaging with the community
• Represent the interests of all students at a local, regional and national level.

Your placement provider aims to:

• Plan the training and work programme to be completed by the student, in consultation with the relevant University Senior Professional Training Tutor or their nominee
• Offer a placement (unpaid) or a contract of employment (paid) specifying the duration and the terms of the placement
• Treat the student as an employee on a short-term contract in accordance with the organisation’s normal policies
• Provide a full and clear induction to the organisation and its working practices, conventions etc
• Nominate a supervisor who will conduct or make arrangements for day-to-day supervision of the student
• Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, a safe working environment, in conformity with health and safety legislation
• Provide the same level of liability and other insurance cover available for comparable employees
• Facilitate access to the student for visits by the Placement Tutor
• Facilitate and participate in the assessment of the student in accordance with the programme requirements and under the guidance of the University
• In cases of serious breaches of discipline, to advise and consult with the Senior Professional Training Tutor.

The student

In relation to the University and your placement provider, you’ll aim to:

• Do your best to strive for success and engage with all aspects of your Professional Training placement to enable you to be a good representative of the University
• Treat colleagues, fellow students, University staff, workplace and University environments with respect
• Abide by all company rules regarding hours of work, health and safety regulations and other practices and procedures
• Carry out the work programme specified by the placement organisation under the supervision of the specified supervisor(s)
• Comply with the assessment requirements of the placement by completing all assessment tasks in the relevant programme specification and handbook
• Inform your Senior Professional Training Tutor (and your personal tutor) when you have found a placement, so that you are able to use their expertise during the placement
• Consult with your Senior Professional Training Tutor prior to seeking any changes in the terms and duration of your placement. If you are abroad on placement and/or study exchange, you will also need to inform the International Engagement Office of any changes to your terms of placement or study
• Provide access to all records maintained during the placement for your Placement Tutor and the placement supervisor except, in the case of the Placement Tutor, where there is an issue of commercial secrecy or national security.
• Read and engage with the placement handbook, information provided in the pre-placement briefings, on the placement website and in emails from the placement team
• Take full responsibility for managing your own independent learning and personal and professional development, considering solutions to problems yourself before turning to the University for additional help
• If required, use the help and support available to you by consulting your personal tutor, Placement Tutor, or member of the placement team
• Regularly check and respond, in a professional and timely manner, to University emails, letters and other communications from staff and student representatives
• Make appropriate use of the Students’ Union provision for student representation on formal decision-making bodies and the University’s staff/student liaison committees
• Give constructive feedback on your University experience at all levels
• Make prompt payment of tuition and all other fees charged by the University
• If awarded Erasmus+ status, abide by the regulations as set out in the Erasmus+ Student Charter, Grant Agreement and Learning Agreement for studies or traineeships.