Our Code of Practice covers professional behaviour relating to international marketing and recruitment activity, by staff and overseas representatives who recruit international students on behalf of the University.
Particular attention must be paid to the requirements of the UKVI with respect of prospective students and offering professional advice. Those advising students on behalf of the University have a responsibility to ensure we meet the criteria for Tier 4 sponsor status.
At all times, staff and overseas representatives must:
1. Adhere to the Code of Practice for international recruitment and marketing
2. Adhere to the University's guidelines to assess a student's intentions and abilities to study in the UK. These have been produced based on the Modern Guidance for caseworkers, a vital part of maintaining Tier 4 sponsor status.
3. Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct by actively upholding this code at all times
4. Act in the best interests of the student or prospective student while respecting the University's policies
5. Provide students with relevant and accurate information so they can make an informed choice
6. Not withhold any relevant information or try to recruit students through inappropriate advice
7. Never encourage a student to enter a course of study for which they're inadequately prepared or not suited
8. Ensure that students don't enter the University without the required level of English language proficiency
9. Accurately represent their areas of competence and recognise the boundaries where it may be more appropriate to refer students to other staff members within the institution or external bodies
10. Take responsibility for keeping themselves informed of current developments within the University relating to course provision
11. Refrain from unfavourable or negative comparisons with other institutions in order to damage the interests of other institutions
12. Refrain from becoming involved in personal relations with individual students which might result in undue influence being exerted to offer students a place at the University
13. Be alert to ethical dilemmas and potential conflicts of interest and seek guidance when they arise concerning gifts, including hospitality, where it can be intended to influence professional conduct, while remaining sensitive to the significance of gifts in different cultures
14. Make themselves aware of local market conditions including relevant legal factors, regulations, official policies, and cultural sensitivities
15. Be aware of, and show appropriate sensitivity to and respect for, other cultures
16. Not discriminate or tolerate discrimination on the part of others on the basis of ethnic or national origins, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age
17. Not bring the University into disrepute.