Wednesday 26-03-2025 - 14:52

What can Student Union Advice support with?

Following the University’s announcement to move Humanities courses from Lampeter to Carmarthen from September 2025, we appreciate you may have questions about how this change will impact your studies, finances and overall student experience. Student Union Advice are here to support you through this transition empowering you to take the decisions that are right for you. For us, this means:

1. Confirming the University’s obligations to you and what that support looks like.
2. Ensuring you’re aware of all the options available to you.
3. Outlining the support you are able to get from Student Union Advice around formal processes.

What are the University’s obligations?

When you accept an offer made by UWTSD, you enter into a ‘agreement’ with the University. The University will ask you to enter into a Student Agreement each time you enrol or re-enrol with them. The Student Agreement sets out the University’s Policy when changes are made to a course including ‘major’ changes. In particular 6.6 states that if students are not satisfied with the changes, the University will offer students the opportunity to withdraw from their programme. If students wish, the University will also provide reasonable support in transferring to another programme with the University or to another provider. Therefore, the University must provide reasonable support to students that are impacted by this decision. 

The Office for Independent Adjudicator (a national body that can investigate English and Welsh Universities) sets out some guidance and what steps Universities can take to limit the impact on student experience: 

Flexibility

The University should act flexibly if a student’s circumstances prevents or discourages a transfer to a different campus location. Universities should support students with the overall aim to avoid disruption.

Communication and Transparency

The University should provide access to material information so students can make an informed decision about their course. The University should give clear and reasonable deadlines for when courses will transfer to a different campus location during the year, any limitations or conditions related to transfers – for example, tuition fee liability. 

Support Mechanisms

The University should ensure that students have access to wellbeing support when making decisions around a course transfer to a different campus. The University should signpost students to further support and advice when decisions involve complex circumstances, such as visa requirements for international students.

Exit Options and Compensation

The University should ensure that students have the right to compensation and alternative awards (e.g., exit awards) if they cannot continue with their studies in light of the transfer to a different campus. The University should also ensure that students have the right to an effective complaints process. 

What support will the University be offering for students that wish to continue but need further support and guidance?

If you have any questions around transferring to Carmarthen campus, you can reach out to Student Services and/or your Course Tutor. The University will also be posting FAQs around the move on the Student HWB. There is also an inbox that has been set up to support students with any queries related to the move: questions@uwtsd.ac.uk.  The University is also holding transition visits to Carmarthen to help support students get to know the campus and facilities available. 

What if I want to transfer to a different institution?

Before you consider transferring to a different institution, ensure that you have reached out to Student Services to discuss your concerns in the first instance. If you still wish to transfer to a different institution, there will be some considerations you’ll need to take into account. For example, tuition fees, student finance eligibility for future funding and whether you will be eligible for an exit award. It is encouraged that if you do wish to transfer to a different institution, you complete your current year of study to limit these impacts as much as possible. The University has a well-established process for students who wish to transfer to another University, and students are encouraged to contact their Course Tutor for further guidance.

How do I submit a complaint and what is the process?

Before you consider submitting a formal complaint, ensure that you have already reached out to Student Services to discuss your concerns as it may be possible to avoid a complaint and resolve the issue instead. As part of your complaint, you will also have to explain the steps you took to resolve the issue informally so it’s important you engage with the support available from the University. 

To submit a complaint, you can complete the SC08 complaint form. You can contact Student Union Advice for further support and guidance around completing the SC08 complaint form. This could include talking through the form, breaking down Policies that may be useful to you, and proofreading the complaint form. 

Once you’ve sent across your complaint form with the evidence, you should receive an acknowledgement email from the Academic Office within 5 days. Your complaint will be allocated a Case officer who will look into your complaint. The outcome of the complaint should be sent to you via email no later than 40 days from the acknowledgement email. If your complaint is not upheld, you may be able to submit a Review of Outcome, which is the final step in the University’s internal procedures.

If I submit a complaint, will this change the overall decision by the University to move Programmes from Lampeter to Carmarthen?

No, the purpose of the complaint will be to address the impact of the decision on your individual circumstances and how you want the University to mitigate this.

What happens once I’ve been through the internal University’s complaints procedure?

If your complaint is not upheld either at the initial stage or the Review of Outcome stage, you may wish to submit a complaint to the OIA. You can contact our Advice team for further support on this by emailing unionadvice@uwtsd.ac.uk or completing our advice form.  

Useful Resources

Office of the Independent Adjudicator Briefing Note on Course, Campus, or Provider Closure
UWTSD’s Student Charter
Consumer Protection Act 1987
HEFCW Revised Student Charter Guidance 2022
Student Union Advice Guidance on Concerns & Complaints
WONKHE: The realities of student transfer
WONKHE: Are Students being protected from course cuts and closures?