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Student Charters

In 1993, following the Citizen’s Charter initiative, the then Department for Education published the Charter for Higher Education which explained the standards of service that students, employers and the general public could expect to receive from higher education, and what might be required of them in return.

Many institutions have since developed their own charters for students setting out similar expectations and rights.

More recently, as institutions have experienced a rise in student expectations following the higher fees resulting from the Higher Education Act 2004 some institutions have introduced student contracts and others are considering such a step.

The Working Group established in April 2010 by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) issued its final report early in 2011, which recommends that all universities should have student charters, setting out mutual expectations, and that these charters should be developed in consultation with student representatives.

HEFCW has published guidance to institutions about the development of Student Charters.

A presentation to student governors by Graeme Wise, Assistant Director (Policy) at the NUS in September 2011 reviews the position.

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