University Regulations and Policies

University Policies

The University of Lincoln operates within a framework of regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure it meets the statutory requirements for UK universities.

Other documents also form important elements of our Governance regime and relate to many and varied aspects of University business, including teaching and learning, employment, finance, and student services.

They include:

Academic and Student Policy Development and Communication

The Governance and Compliance Team provides support for the planning, development, and implementation of University academic and student policies.

Explore Academic and Student Policies

Academic Quality, Standards, and Partnerships

The Quality Assurance Policy and Manual sets out the approved approach to Programme Approval, Continuous Programme Monitoring, External Examining, Programme Modification, Periodic Academic Review, Academic Partnerships, Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies, Internal Review and End-Point Assessment. Forms associated with these processes are available using the above link.

Acceptance and Gifts Policy

This policy covers the solicitation and acceptance of gifts by or in the name of the University and seeks to ensure that gifts to the University are properly received, recorded, and administered.

Read Acceptance of Gifts Policy (PDF).

Access and Participation Plan

This policy, approved by the Office for Students, details the interventions that the University of Lincoln will make to improve access, student success, and progression into employment or further education for underrepresented groups.

You can review the appropriate version of our Access and Participation Plan in the list below:

Previous Agreements

Admissions Terms and Conditions

This documents outlines the agreement between the University of Lincoln and prospective students.

Read The Admissions Agreement 

These terms and conditions may change over time, so if you began your studies prior to this academic year, you can review the appropriate version of our Admissions Terms and Conditions in the list below:

Anti-slavery Transparency Statement

This statement outlines our commitment to tackling slavery.

Read our Anti-slavery Statement

Annual Fee Information
Code of Practice for Research

This document is intended to support good conduct in research and help prevent misconduct, in order to encourage research of the highest quality. 

Read Code of Practice

Code of Practice: Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech

This document sets out the rights of staff's freedom to pursue knowledge through rational and open enquiry, and how the University fulfils its obligations to ensure freedom of speech within the law is secured for students, staff, and visiting speakers.

Read our Code of Practice

Conflicts of Interest Policy

This policy defines conflicts of interest and provides a framework for recording, reporting, and managing such conflicts.

Read Conflict of Interest Policy

Data Protection

The University takes data protection seriously and has a number of policies available.

Explore Data Protection Policies

Environmental Sustainability

With the world facing an unprecedented rise in global temperatures, the University of Lincoln has been developing a range of approaches to environmental sustainability that aim to reduce any negative effect that our operations may have, and to offer solutions to these challenges through our teaching and research. 

Explore Sustainability at Lincoln

Equality and Diversity

The University continuously grows and evolves, so does our approach to celebrating and embracing diversity in all its forms, and we want to create an institution where our staff and students can work and study without fear of experiencing bullying, harassment, victimisation, or discrimination due to any and all individual and protected characteristics.

Find out More About Equality at Lincoln

External Speaker Policy

The purpose of this policy is to set in place a governing framework for visiting speakers to ensure that our proud heritage, where debate, challenge, and dissent are not only permitted but expected, can continue for current and future generations.

Read the External Speaker Policy (PDF)  

Ethical Investment Policy

The University routinely transacts with third party organisations through the investment of surplus funds and endowments. This policy seeks to guide ethical investment practice by the University.

Ethical Investment and Banking Policy

Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, you can ask the University to provide you with any information held by the University.

Make Freedom of Information Request

Health and Safety Policies

The Health and Safety Department are in the process of moving their policies from the current staff/students area to a new site, making more information publicly available. Staff and students can access all health and safety related policy documents, guidance and forms from the Health and Safety Portal. As policy documents are ready to be made publicly available, these will be added below.

Smoking and Vaping Policy (PDF)

Procedure for the Investigation of Misconduct in Research

This procedure outlines the processes which should be followed when complaints of misconduct in research are brought against any member of staff.

Read Our Procedure

Non-disclosure Agreements for Employees

The University of Lincoln is committed to the values and behaviours that underpin our One Community, and this is reflected in our approach.

Read Our Non-disclosure Approach

People, Performance and Culture Policies

Some documents may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. If you need a version of a document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@lincoln.ac.uk

Reportable Events to Office for Students Policy

This policy covers the reporting of particular incidents, circumstances, or material changes in the University of Lincoln's operating position to the Office for Students (OfS), the principle regulatory body for Higher Education in England.  

Read our Reportable Events Policy.

Research Ethics Policy

The University of Lincoln is committed to encouraging research of the highest quality by supporting good conduct and helping to prevent misconduct.

Read About Our Research Ethics

Research Excellence Framework (REF) Code of Practice

This Code of Practice forms part of the University’s strategy to support Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in its academic activities, and in particular in research.

Read the Code of Practice

Safeguarding Policy

This policy sets out how the University performs its duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults who are enrolled on its courses or are visiting the institution.

Read Our Safeguarding Policy

Spinout Review: Statement of Best Practice Adoption 2024

The University of Lincoln's declaration of adoption statement regarding the government's Spinout Review and its alignment of best practice with University policy:

The University of Lincoln is a strong proponent of research commercialisation for both monetary return and impact (societal benefit). Efforts have been made within the institution to facilitate this activity by increasing IP and research commercialisation awareness amongst academics and researchers. Commercialisation of research outputs at our institution is underpinned by our intellectual property and spinout policies and processes which are substantively aligned with the Spinout Review 2024 best practices.

Areas that require amendments for full alignment include a statement addressing the National Security and Investment Act 2021 and equity distribution for software spinout companies which has been suggested by the Review at a maximum of 10% for the university and minimum of 90% for inventors.

You can contact us regarding the adoption of the Spinout Review best practices by email at contracts@lincoln.ac.uk.

Student Complaints Procedure

The Regulations provide a means for students to raise a complaint about any service the University provides and to get that issue resolved.

Read Our Student Complaints Regulations

Student Protection Plan

This documents outlines identified risks to the continuation of study for our students and how we seek to mitigate them.

Read Our Student Protection Plan

Transparency Information

Our transparency information outlines the number of students who attained a particular degree or other academic award, or a particular level of such an award, on completion of their course with us.

Explore Transparency Information

University Financial Regulations

The purpose of the Financial Regulations is to provide a framework for the University to conduct its financial business, protect its assets and strive for value for money. 

Read the University Financial Regulations

University Regulations

These regulations relate to undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and the University generally.

Read Our University Regulations

Whistleblowing Policy

This policy sets out the policy and process for the making of disclosures in accordance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

Whistleblowing Policy (PDF)

Visitors Policy 2023

This policy provides guidance and information for all staff, students and visitors to the University regarding the processes and protocol for all visitors

Read Our Visitors Policy

The list above is not exhaustive. You can find more information about governance arrangements and other policy documents on the University's Secretariat microsite.

Policy Resources for Staff

Policy Framework and Templates

Contact Us

University of Lincoln
Brayford Pool Campus
Lincoln
LN6 7TS

secretariatemail@lincoln.ac.uk