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The Hope Charter

The Hope Charter sets out the expectations and responsibilities both of the University to each student and of each student to the University.

It also sets out the responsibilities of the Students’ Union to both individual students and to the Student Body as a whole.

The Charter focuses on the student journey and reflects the expectations of both students and the university at each stage of this journey.

This Charter is underpinned by the commitment of students and staff of the university to the mission and values of Hope.

The mission and values of Liverpool Hope

Liverpool Hope University is Europe’s only ecumenical university foundation; its three founding colleges, S Katharine’s (1844) (formerly Anglican), Notre Dame College (1856) and Christ’s College (1964) (both formerly Catholic) form a fully integrated academic collegium.

Liverpool Hope University welcomes all who seek a sound higher education. It is deeply committed to a culture of research and scholarship, and to preparing its graduates to serve the common good, as well as respecting the individual’s right to freedom of speech. Its educational philosophy is based on the triune quest for Truth, Beauty and Goodness.

Faithful to its Christian moorings, it aspires to be a welcoming, hospitable and caring community. It invites all who work and study here to contribute to building a kind, generous and gracious fellowship where all may flourish.

These virtues we believe support its ethos of hard work, scholarly dedication and the rounded formation of its graduates.

Applying to Hope

When you apply, the university shall:

  • Provide you with up-to-date information about its courses and details of study related costs to help you make an informed choice
  • Provide information about the range of facilities available to you
  • Give a wide range of information about student funding, accommodation and support services
  • Consider your application fairly, efficiently and by staff members who are experienced and knowledgeable about UK or international students as appropriate

As an applicant, you are expected to:

  • Ensure that you research the programmes before you apply so you can make an informed choice
  • Let the University know about anything which might affect your application/studies
  • Inform the University, at an early stage or as it arises, of anything that may affect any part of your University life such as a disability or difficult personal issues
  • Undertake any preliminary tasks that your department asks of you

Studying at Hope

Throughout your course the University shall:

  • Treat you fairly and with respect
  • Communicate information to you clearly and in a timely fashion
  • Provide appropriate standards of teaching, learning support, advice and guidance
  • Offer you welfare support or signpost you to external support systems where necessary
  • Offer well-structured academic courses of study designed to challenge you to reach your full potential and increase employability
  • Provide feedback on your work in accordance with University guidelines
  • Create learning facilities and an environment in order to help make your experience as a student positive and memorable
  • Where appropriate, provide students on professional courses with well organised placements
  • Welcome you to the institution and provide a comprehensive induction programme
  • Provide equality of treatment for all in line with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010
  • Be an active member of a Hope community that embraces diversity and condemns all forms of harassment

As a student you are expected to:

  • Engage actively in your programme of study especially attending all timetabled sessions
  • Show respect and sensitivity for the whole community, staff and fellow students and abide by the Code of Conduct
  • Behave as an ambassador for the University at all times both on and off campus
  • Check your University emails regularly and communicate with the University with respect and maturity and in a courteous manner
  • Bring your needs for support to the University’s notice in good time, particularly in relation to assessments where extensions or deferment may be required
  • Make a full commitment to your course and sustain high levels of effort throughout your student experience including submitting all assessments in a timely manner
  • Be proactive and take responsibility for your own education, including making use of the Student Voice mechanism
  • Treat your surrounding environment with care and respect
  • Abide by the General Data Protection Regulation to ensure that data privacy is respected
  • Be a positive and proactive member of your community
  • Be an active member of a Hope community that embraces diversity and condemns all forms of harassment
  • Be aware of your behaviour as a member of the Hope community, and understand the University’s zero tolerance to any breaches of its sexual misconduct policy

Studying as a postgraduate student at Hope

With particular reference to postgraduate students the University shall:

  • Meet those expectations listed in this document under 'Throughout your course' and 'When you have concerns and difficulties'
  • Offer you a wide range of research-informed teaching and learning support
  • Provide you with supervisors who are active researchers
  • Help you to arrange any placements or work experience necessary to supplement your course
  • Offer you use of the academic facilities available at the University that may assist you in your post graduate course
  • Give you appropriate educational and welfare support

As a student you are expected to:

  • Meet those expectations previously listed in this document under 'Throughout your course'
  • Participate and contribute to the research culture of the University
  • Communicate regularly with your tutors for any guidance that you may need
  • Take advantage of the facilities that the University offers you in support

Addressing student concerns

When you have concerns / difficulties the University shall:

  • Provide concise objective advice and guidance for academic concerns and signpost where appropriate to the Students’ Union advice service
  • Treat all of your matters with concern and sensitivity and deal with them fairly and without discrimination
  • Offer or direct you to appropriate help and support that you may require
  • Provide you with clear information about procedures for complaints and appeals
  • Abide by the General Data Protection Regulation to ensure that data privacy is respected
  • Take your issues seriously and treat you with respect

As a student you are expected to:

  • Communicate any concerns or difficulties to the University as early as possible
  • Take responsibility for your own learning and carry out independent study
  • Approach your tutors, course representatives, student representatives and/or SU for advice on any concerns or difficulties
  • Ensure that any paid employment you undertake does not interfere with your attendance at sessions or your academic assessments
  • Be pro-active in seeking support and assistance
  • Follow the University procedures carefully; this includes understanding the consequences of breaches of the Code of Student Conduct
  • Not make any malicious or false complaints or allegations
  • Take advice given to you by advisors seriously
  • Act with respect

Being a Liverpool Hope graduate

After you graduate the University shall:

  • Offer you continued support in career development through the Careers and Employability service
  • Provide you with access to career development seminars and workshops
  • Provide guidance relating to postgraduate opportunities
  • Make every effort to keep in touch with you as a full member of our alumnus association
  • Treat you as a partner in a lifelong process of personal development, keeping you informed about developments at Hope, and enabling you to continue your association with the University after you leave

As a graduate, you are expected to:

  • Seek support for job applications and CV advice from the career development team
  • Keep the University up to date if you change your contact information so we can keep in touch with you
  • Act as an ambassador and advocate for the University across both your social and work-related networks.

The Liverpool Hope Students' Union Shall:

Representation

  • Make positive changes for students by representing the views, needs and concerns of the student body to the University, local/ national government and external organisations such as the National Union of Students
  • Empower students to make positive change through supporting student communities
  • Promote student interests at University meetings (Sabbatical Officers) and feedback the issues of students to the University
  • Support students to ensure that all receive fair and respectful treatment and are aware of their rights and responsibilities
  • Champion the student voice through the election, development and training of student representatives
  • Facilitate the course-representative system by promoting it to all students and supporting the representatives through training and building networks throughout the year
  • Ensure the democracy of the Students’ Union
  • Ensure that the Students’ Union Trustee Board is run in an effective manner and all members are aware of the decisions made

Advice

  • Offer an independent advice and advocacy service for students particularly those facing academic or disciplinary issues
  • Signpost students to University support systems that are available, including appeals, counselling and careers
  • Run awareness events throughout the year to highlight issues students may face and how they can seek advice, such as issues with exam stress or mental health
  • Provide students with information about accommodation which meets appropriate standards

Opportunities

  • Facilitate the running of sports teams and societies
  • Run cultural and recreational activities for students
  • Have elected positions so that all students have the opportunity to shape the organisation. In a democratic manner we will allot funding (where available) for a wide range of extra-curricular activities
  • Organise and facilitate social events on and off campus

This Charter was reviewed and amended by the Students’ Union and the University in March 2023 and approved by University Council in April 2023.