The University requires some information from applicants with any relevant criminal convictions. The information required, the timing of the disclosure, and the relevance of the conviction relates to the nature of the course. The University recognises and accepts that people with a criminal record are a broad and diverse population.
Applicants who have applied for courses in regulated professions (such as teaching, health, social work or courses involving work with children and vulnerable adults) are required to disclose all criminal convictions including sentences and cautions (including verbal cautions), reprimands, final warnings and bind-over orders. Exemptions within the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 requires applicants to such courses to disclose all convictions, even if spent.
The University requires all such applicants to declare criminal convictions in order that their suitability to work in a professional environment (which will include suitability to attend any mandatory placements involving work with children or vulnerable adults) can be determined. The University will also identify, assess and manage any potential risks that conviction(s) may create for others within the University environment.
Applicants to other courses are required to inform the University of any relevant, unspent convictions at the point that they accept an offer of a place. Relevant convictions include those for offences against the person, whether of a violent or sexual nature; and convictions for offences involving unlawfully supplying controlled drugs or substances where the conviction concerns commercial drug dealing or trafficking. Spent convictions (as defined by the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) are not considered relevant and should not be disclosed.
The University requires offer holders to declare their relevant, unspent convictions to enable the University to identify, assess and manage any potential risks that the conviction may create for others within the University environment.
It is important to understand the fact of a criminal record is not an automatic disbar onto any University course, even those which require an enhanced DBS check. Applicants are encouraged to take advice from the regulating bodies in such cases prior to making their application.
It is equally important that applicants with a criminal record understand that being admitted to a course may not automatically enable or permit a graduate pathway into particular career routes and accreditations.
Applicants are encouraged to take advice from regulating bodies and PRBS in such cases. Further details of these procedures are outlined in Appendix D