Student Protection Plan

The University of Salford is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory framework can be found on the Office for Students website.

All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The Student Protection Plan sets out what you can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Our Student Protection Plan is approved by the OfS and will be reviewed regularly, at least once a year, so its contents will be updated from time to time.

At Salford, we strive to provide you with a stimulating and rewarding university experience. Sometimes, however, there may be circumstances in which changes need to be made that could substantially affect your studies. Such cases are very rare and, should they occur, we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that you are fully supported to complete your studies.

Contents

1. What is a Student Protection Plan

This Student Protection Plan explains what measures we will take to protect you if the plan is “triggered” by a risk to the continuation of your programme of study. Potential risks to study could be, for example, a strategic decision to close a programme or a subject; the University losing the power to award degrees; or no longer being able to deliver programmes in a particular mode of study, such as distance learning. The Plan sets out the potential risks we have identified, the measures we will take if the Plan is triggered and how we will communicate with you if there is a risk to your studies.

In addition to this Plan, we describe what you can expect from your time at the University of Salford in the following ways:

Student Charter – produced jointly with the University of Salford Students’ Union, the Charter outlines the mutual commitments and expectations between the University and students;
Terms and conditions – these form part of the legally binding contract you enter into with us when you accept the offer of a place to study. They explain the range of policies and procedures you are expected to follow, such as payment of tuition fees, academic regulations and rules relating to use of the University’s IT facilities;
Blackboard – all students on undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes and are registered on programme and module sites within Blackboard (the University’s Virtual Learning Environment) where students can find detailed information about how their programme is taught and assessed
Student Handbook – all students have a Student Handbook which provides detailed information about how their programme is taught and assessed, how to access support, and guidance on different aspects of student life. Undergraduates and postgraduate taught students share the same handbook which is available from our current students section. Postgraduate research students are provided with a handbook which is tailored to the academic school in which they are studying.
Student Refund and Compensation Policy – the policy is intended to provide a clear and simple framework so you can understand when you may be entitled to a refund, compensation or another type of remedy, and how to make a claim.

2. Who is covered by the Plan?

Registered students

If you are registered for a University of Salford taught or research award, you are covered by the Plan and we will contact you if it is triggered and will affect your studies. This includes:

Studying at the Salford campus on a full- or part-time basis;
Being employed and following a higher or degree apprenticeship with us;
Studying with one of our UK or international partners;
Studying on a credit bearing programme leading to a University of Salford award;
Being on placement as part of your programme;
Studying with us via distance or blended learning;
Studying a Salford programme taught by Salford staff at another location (“off-site delivery”);
Being on an interruption of study or being suspended from your studies.

You are not covered by the Plan when your registration has been terminated for the following reasons:

You have requested to withdraw from your programme of study;
You have completed your programme in the normal way;
You have been required to withdraw as a result of student misconduct matters, non- payment of tuition fees, academic failure or similar matters;
You do not re-register for the next year of your programme;
You are studying a non-credit bearing programme.

Applicants

If you have applied to study at the University of Salford and have accepted an offer, the Plan also applies to you. In such cases, we will inform you of any changes and will offer alternative arrangements wherever possible. This could include, for example, offering you an alternative programme at Salford or helping you find a place at another university.

We follow Competition and Markets Authority guidance to protect your consumer rights, both when you are an applicant and following your registration with us.

3. What type of events are covered by the Plan?

This section provides some examples of the types of events that would trigger the Plan, alongside events that would not be covered. Section 4 sets out in greater detail the events and the likelihood of them occurring. Section 5 has details of the measures we will take to protect your studies.

What is covered?

Closing your programme of study;
Changing your location of study;
Other reasons, such as:
- no longer being able to operate as a university;
- losing the power to award degrees;
- no longer being able to deliver your mode of study, such as part-time learning.

The University’s circumstantial and environmental risks are the same as those of any major institution. These include events that could not be anticipated and/or are beyond our control, such as fire and flood (often referred to as “force majeure”). Should a major event occur, our academic faculties and support services have in place business continuity plans which address potential issues and detail mitigation, such as ongoing safety inspections, risk assessments and having appropriate insurance in place.

What is not covered?

Planned programme or module amendments. The Programme Development, Approval, Amendment, Review and Withdrawal Policy is in place for making changes to existing programmes and modules. We communicate with students as part of this procedure, in line with the Competition and Markets Authority guidance.
Planned suspension or withdrawal of programmes. The Programme Development, Approval, Amendment, Review and Withdrawal Policy is in place for the planned suspension or withdrawal of existing programmes as part of the ongoing refreshment of our portfolio. We comply with Consumer Protection Laws and work with students when programmes are withdrawn or suspended, ensuring “teach out”, offering alternative programmes or arranging transfers where appropriate.
Change of research supervisor. All postgraduate research students are allocated two supervisors to ensure continuity in the event that the primary supervisor leaves or is unable to complete their supervision responsibilities. In certain circumstances, considered on a case-by-case basis, it may be possible for the research student to transfer their studies to the new employer of the primary supervisor. The University reserves the right to review a student's registration where it is unable to provide appropriate supervision for the research project. In such circumstances, the University will make reasonable efforts to identify alternative supervisory arrangements before considering other options, including transfer, suspension, or termination of registration in accordance with University regulations.

4. How likely is it that the Plan will be triggered?

The table below describes the types of event that could happen, resulting in there being a risk to you being able to complete your studies. We have assessed each of these events against the likelihood of it occurring. We explain what evidence we have used in our assessment so you can understand the way in which we have identified each risk. Section 5 details the measures we will take if the Plan is triggered.

Event	Likelihood	Evidence
(a) We decide to cease to operate as a university.	Low	We are a long-established university, tracing our roots back to the 19th century. Our financial position is strong and we have recorded a trading surplus for each successive year since 2013/14. The University cash flow is sufficient to pay existing borrowings and to continue to invest in the University estate and we operate prudent financial management and budgeting processes. In the event we decide to cease to operate, programme teams will draw up and implement a reach out plan that shows how students currently on the programme will be able to complete their studies and be supported to the very end. This includes contingency plans should students need to take reassessments or retake modules. We would engage with the OFS to ensure students were aware of other appropriate providers and that we would support them if they want to transfer.
(b) We lose the power to award degrees.	Low	The University gained degree awarding powers in 1967, when the institution was established by Royal Charter. We ensure programmes meet sector-recognised standards and relevant subject benchmark requirements and which are reviewed by Validation Panels. We operate robust assessment, moderation and external examining processes detailed in our Academic Handbook. We monitor the credibility and integrity of awards and classifications through reports considered through academic governance committees. We maintain effective programme approval, validation, monitoring and periodic review processes which are described in our Academic Handbook. We issues identified through internal review, external examiners and student feedback. We ensure appropriate oversight through Senate and sub committees.
(c) We are no longer able to deliver programmes in one or more locations.	Low	Our business case approval process for programmes of study and partnerships ensures that perceived risks are identified, and contingency arrangements are confirmed prior to approval. Legal agreements with our partner organisations also identify risks and contingency measures. We have an established Incident Response Plan for major and critical incidents including severe weather, accidents, failure of infrastructure and malicious activity including terrorism.
(d) We decide to cease to deliver or to suspend programmes in one or more subject areas.	Low	It is very rare for us to close whole subject areas or departments. In the last 10 years we have closed only two subject areas, due to significant decline in demand for programmes in those disciplines. All of the affected programmes were taught out by us and all students were able to complete the programme for which they originally registered. Should the University make a strategic decision to cease delivery in a specific subject area in the future, such a change would be undertaken in a planned way to minimise and manage impact.
(e) We decide to cease or to suspend recruitment to a programme in one or more subject areas.	Medium	We keep our portfolio of programmes under review as part of our normal operating practice. As part of this review we will at times decide to cease or suspend recruitment. In such circumstances, we will contact all applicants with a live application in a timely way, notify them of the changes and support them to find an alternative programme at Salford or elsewhere, as appropriate.
(f) We are no longer able to deliver material components of our programmes due to the unanticipated departure of members of staff.	Low	We design our programmes to be taught by integrated teams of academic staff, recognising and mitigating the higher risk in specialist areas. Should we need to make changes to material components of your programme, we will give you as much notice as reasonably practicable. Programme teams will ensure that the impact on you is mitigated wherever possible. The University has in place robust procedures for the recruitment and replacement of teaching staff through its People and Organisational Development Directorate. Whilst it is expected that there will be a gap between members of staff leaving and being replaced the University does: - identify and fill vacancies as quickly as possible; - where appropriate use other subject expert teaching staff to cover vacancies; - if necessary, use subject expert fixed-term cover for vacancies; - use other experienced members of staff with appropriate skills and experience to deliver teaching sessions. These procedures mean that the University is normally able to continue to deliver Programmes if staff leave during an academic year and there is consequently a low risk to the student experience.
(g) We decide to cease delivery in one or more mode of study.	Low	The majority of our programmes involve face-to-face contact time with staff. A very small number of programmes are delivered wholly by other means such as distance or online learning. For all modes of study, we have plans in place should change need to be made to delivery. These include consultation with students on the programme and providing information to applicants.
(h) We are no longer able to recruit international students.	Low	We have held a licence from the Home Office to recruit international students since the scheme was introduced in 2008. This allows us to recruit students from outside the UK and European Union. We actively manage our compliance with Student Visa sponsorship rules through a dedicated team and we monitor performance through our Home Office Compliance Assurance Group. We have suitably designed and consistently applied controls in place to safeguard our license.
(i) We lose professional accreditation for a programme.	Low	We have long-standing and stable relationships with the professional bodies that accredit a number of our programmes. Accreditations are reviewed periodically in line with the accreditors requirements. Relationships with accreditors are managed by our academic faculties as an integral part of our quality assurance framework.
(j) We lose specialist facilities.	Low	Our specialist facilities are managed by technical experts, and we review and update facilities on a rolling basis. We have in place a Mutual Aid Agreement with a nearby university. This enables us to request their assistance, such as resources or the ‘loan’ of specialist staff or provision of a certain facility or building. The approval process for academic programmes takes due regard of any agreements with third parties providing specialist facilities and ensures that contingency plans are in place. The stability of our estate is very high: we have no short- term leases for buildings. We have made, and continue to make, significant investments, including the new £54 million Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre to provide first class teaching spaces as well as enriching health and wellbeing services in our Salford community (due to complete in late 2026). We have an established Incident Response Plan for major and critical incidents.

5. How will we protect your studies?

This section sets out what actions we will take to protect your studies if any of the events listed occur. Normally this Plan will not be triggered for planned changes (e.g. curriculum amendments). Similarly, the Plan will not be triggered for circumstances that apply to specific students (e.g. change in research supervisor). Section 3 above provides details on these points.

In the unlikely event of the Plan being triggered, we will carry out an Equality Impact Assessment to ensure that the needs of different groups of students are appropriately taken into account. We recognise that the events listed below could affect our students in different ways depending on their personal circumstances. For example, disabled students or those with caring commitments may need individual advice and support. We undertake to work with individual students on a case-by-case basis where our usual protection measures may not be suitable or require modification. This may include the exploration of reimbursement of any reasonable costs that might be incurred.

Measures

Teach out: this is our normal first choice of measure. Where teach out is in place, we undertake to ensure that you can complete your programme of study. During teach out, programmes remain subject to our normal quality assurance processes.
Alternative Salford programme: alongside teach out, we may also offer you the option of transferring to an alternative programme at Salford.
Alternative programme with another provider: if we are unable to offer teach out or an alternative programme at Salford, we will aim to work with partners and other UK institutions to facilitate your transfer or direct entry to a programme at another provider, subject to their entry requirements.
Alternative premises: if we are unable to teach in our normal premises, we will source other suitable locations nearby. In the case of specialist facilities, we have a mutual aid agreement with a local university which allows us to access their facilities should the need arise.

Type of provision

On campus: refers to programmes taught by University of Salford staff at our campus in Peel Park or in MediaCity.
Off-site: refers to programmes taught by University of Salford staff on premises other than our campus.
Distance/blended: refers to programmes taught by University of Salford staff either wholly online or through a combination of online and face-to-face tuition.
Collaborative: refers to programmes taught by a partner institution of the University of Salford, either in the UK or overseas.

Event (a) (i) - We decide to cease to operate as a university but are able to provide teach out

Type of provision	Teach out	Alternative Salford programme	Alternative programme with another provider	Alternative premises
On campus	X
Off-site	X
Distance/Blended	X
Collaborative	X

Event (a) (ii) - We decide to cease to operate as a university and are not able to provide teach out

Type of provision	Teach out	Alternative Salford programme	Alternative programme with another provider	Alternative premises
On campus			X
Off-site			X
Distance/Blended			X
Collaborative			X

Event (b) - We lose the power to award degrees

Type of provision	Teach put	Alternative Salford programme	Alternative programme with another provider	Alternative premises
On campus			X
Off-site			X
Distance/Blended			X
Collaborative			X

Event (c) - We are no longer able to deliver programmes in one or more locations

Type of provision	Alternative programme with another provider	Alternative premises
On campus		X
Off-site	X	X
Distance/Blended	X	X
Collaborative	X	X

Event (d) - We decide to cease to deliver or to suspend programmes in one or more subject areas

Type of provision	Teach out	Alternative Salford programme	Alternative programme with another provider	Alternative premises
On campus	X
Off-site	X
Distance/Blended	X
Collaborative	X

Event (e) - We decide to cease or to suspend recruitment to programmes in one or more subject areas

Type of provision	Alternative Salford programme	Alternative programme with another provider
On campus	X	X
Off-site	X	X
Distance/Blended	X	X
Collaborative	X	X

Event (f) - We are no longer able to deliver material components of our programmes due to the unanticipated departure of members of staff

Type of provision	Alternative Salford programme	Alternative programme with another provider
On campus	X	X
Off-site	X	X
Distance/Blended	X	X
Collaborative	X	X

Event (g) - We decide to cease delivery in one or more mode of study

Type of provision	Teach out	Alternative Salford programme	Alternative programme with another provider	Alternative premises
On campus	X
Off-site	X
Distance/Blended	X
Collaborative	X

Event (h) - We are no longer able to recruit international students

Type of provision	Teach out	Alternative Salford programme	Alternative programme with another provider	Alternative premises
On campus			X
Off-site			X
Distance/Blended			X
Collaborative			X

Event (i) - We lose professional accreditation for a programme

Type of provision	Alternative Salford programme	Alternative programme with another provider
On campus	X	X
Off-site	X	X
Distance/Blended	X	X
Collaborative	X	X

Event (j) - We lose specialist facilities

Type of provision	Teach out	Alternative Salford programme	Alternative programme with another provider	Alternative premises
On campus				X
Off-site				X
Distance/Blended				X
Collaborative				X

6. Triggering the Plan

Should any of the events set out in sections 4 and 5 occur, and where they are not covered by established processes, a group convened by the University Secretary will consider whether they should trigger the Plan or whether it should be referred to the University Leadership Team for triggering. This will depend on the particular circumstances of the event. The group will include senior officers of the University and representatives of the University of Salford Students’ Union.

7. Refunds

If the University is unable to continue delivering a programme of study as a result of one or more of the circumstances outlined in this Student Protection Plan, it will provide affected students with as much notice as reasonably possible and will take all reasonable steps to minimise disruption. This may include enabling students to complete their studies at the University through alternative arrangements or supporting transfer to an appropriate programme at another provider.

In implementing these measures, the University will seek to ensure that students are able to achieve the learning outcomes of their programme and that their legal and contractual rights are respected.

Where a student is able to complete their studies through the protection measures set out in this Plan, a refund of tuition fees will not normally be payable. However, where the University is unable to deliver the programme as agreed, students may be eligible for a refund, compensation, or another form of remedy in accordance with the University's Refund and Compensation Policy.

Any compensation beyond a full or partial refund of tuition fees will normally be considered only where a student can demonstrate financial loss or additional costs directly attributable to the University's actions or inability to continue the programme. Claims will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may require supporting evidence.

Where the University discontinues a programme and is unable to provide a suitable alternative means for students to complete their studies, students will be entitled to an appropriate refund of tuition fees and, where applicable, consideration of compensation in accordance with the University's Student Refund and Compensation Policy.

8. How will we communicate with you about the Plan

The Plan is published on the dedicated Terms and Conditions page that contains links to student-related information. If we need to implement the measures in our Student Protection Plan, we will undertake formal consultation and provide tutorial sessions to support you collectively and individually.

If we propose significant changes to your programme through our formal programme and module amendment process, we will consult with you before those changes are made. If the measures set out in this Student Protection Plan need to be implemented, the University will provide appropriate support to affected students. This may include financial, academic and wellbeing support, advice from specialist University services, assistance in identifying suitable transfer opportunities where available, and access to careers guidance.

The University will work in partnership with the Students’ Union and provide it with relevant information so that it can offer independent advice and support to affected students.

9. How often will the Plan be reviewed?

The Student Protection Plan will be reviewed annually by the Quality and Standards Committee.

10. Concerns and complaints

If you have any concerns about how we implement the Plan, should a triggering event occur, you should follow the Student Complaints Procedure. Full details about how to do this can be found on the Student Hub.