Fitness to Study

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Fitness to Study

You need to understand and use this policy if …

You are concerned about another student’s wellbeing, and you need to report this
You have been told that a Fitness to Study report has made about you

In these cases, SAAT can help you work through the policy and the process and ensure that you are signposted to the most appropriate support to help you.

This is a policy that is in place to enable a situation, where a student is unable - through mental, emotional, behavioural or issues related to these - to fully and effectively engage with their course of study, and/or their student experience, to be managed in best interests of the student and the University.

Ulster University is committed to supporting students that are experiencing medical, psychological, behavioural or emotional conditions throughout their period of study. We acknowledge that in some circumstances continuing an academic programme of study, may not be in the best interests of the student or fellow students, staff etc.

Ulster University has a duty of care to respond appropriately where there are significant concerns relating to a student’s health and wellbeing (including a deterioration of physical health, poor mental health, psychological, personality or emotional conditions etc). This duty of care may extend to the impact that a student’s fitness to study is having on other student(s), staff and visitors to the University.

This policy applies to all students at Ulster University campuses.

Who can use this Policy and for what?

Fitness to Study enables the University to look holistically at an individual’s behavioural, mental and emotional needs and capacity, and, where there is evidence that a student is not coping, or is unable to engage at a required level with their course, the University can intervene. This can include issues around areas such as attendance, engagement with taught and online provision, assessment, project work, placements, voluntary or compulsory trips related to the student’s study programme and ability to effectively engage and/or perform to expected standards in relation in professional, ethical and practical work-related situations.

The Fitness to Study Policy can be initiated in circumstances when an Ulster student is causing significant concern and / or presenting risk of harm to themselves or others, leading to unsatisfactory academic progress, or a worsening of their personal wellbeing, or that of others.

This Fitness to Study policy encompasses:

A student’s ability to:

Start a particular course of programme of study; or
Continue with their current programme of study; or
Transfer to another programme of study; or
Start or continue with the placement requirements of their programme of study;
Return to their programme of study (or another programme of study)

A student’s fitness to study will depend upon their ability to meet:

The reasonable academic requirements of the programme of study; and
The reasonable social and behavioural requirements of an Ulster University student without having a detrimental effect on the health, safety, welfare and/or educational experience of the student, other students, or members of staff or members of staff at a placement provider.

The Fitness to Study Policy can be triggered by a report (FTS1 form) submitted by: -

>Any member of staff at Ulster University

>Members of staff and officers at Ulster University Student Union.

>Fellow students. Where concerns are raised by a student it is important to note that there is no expectation that a student should manage the situation personally. We recommend seeking the support of a member of staff (Studies Advisor, Programme Director, Student Wellbeing etc.)

>Third Parties such as: A PSRB professional accrediting / regulatory bodies, PSBA Partners, PSNI, Local Council, Medical Professional, Social Services can raise concerns under this policy.

Students on certain programmes (such as those in the Health Sciences, Medical, Social Work, Counselling and Teaching or other programmes which are subject to the requirements of Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies – known as PSRBs), may be subject to separate and overriding obligations to declare significant health issues and conduct matters.

Where a Fitness to Study notification is made the Student Academic Affairs Team manage the process which involves various stages, including an exploratory interview, and as needed, a Fitness to Study Panel. There are a number of potential outcomes from the Fitness to Study process including: -

Alteration the student’s mode of attendance (full time or part time)
Application of special academic and /or support arrangements;
Postponement of part of the student’s course (for example, a placement);
Requirement for the Student to transfer to a different course;
Suggesting the student undertake a Leave of Absence.
Termination the Student’s registration at the University;
And/ Or any other such actions that are necessary in the view of the Panel.

What can this Policy not cover?

This Policy is not intended to address student attendance or a student’s failure to engage with their academic studies where the concern is primarily a motivation/engagement issue. Procedures for Student Attendance and Engagement should be used in such cases.