Sponsored Study Policy - London South Bank University
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POLICY STATEMENT ON SPONSORED STUDY June 2003 LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY SPONSORED STUDY POLICY FOR STAFF The University has absolute discretion whether or not to sponsor the study of a member of staff. It will take account of operational and other consequences of doing so. Members of staff do not have a right to sponsored study. Purpose 1. The purpose of sponsored study is to help employees who wish to pursue recognised work related qualifications or higher and further education courses relevant to their work or personal development. The staff appraisal interview provides the focus for a discussion between the employee and his or her appraiser on the rationale for the proposed course and for annual monitoring of progress. Criteria 2. The criteria for support are: (a) the qualification or course is nationally recognised and appropriate to the work of the Faculty or Department; (b) the qualification or course is appropriate to the employee's present work or future duties within the University, and to her or his academic ability; (c) normally, the qualification or course has been identified at a staff appraisal interview, as relevant to the development of the employee; (d) for London South Bank University courses only, the course may also be relevant to the personal development of the employee. Eligibility 3. The employee must be on a paid employment contract - individuals on consultancy and other service contracts are not normally eligible unless a separate agreement has been reached between the contractor and the University. Financial Support for London South Bank University courses 4. The University may allow a member of staff to attend a London South Bank University course without payment of the tuition fee. The fee waiver sponsored study policy DOES NOT apply to Language Centre courses. Fees will only be waived for periods when an individual is in the employment of the University i.e. for the duration of a fixed term or terms of any contract, and reimbursement of fees will be required if an employee leaves the University (see 6(c) below). 5. 6. The University will not pay for: (a) attendance on a full-time course; (b) repeated units; (c) examination fees for courses run by the University Language Centre. The employee must pay: (a) any optional or compulsory field trip, residential or other additional tuition expenses; (b) travelling expenses and the costs of books and equipment; (c) the tuition fees from the beginning of the semester in which he or she leaves the employment of the University. Outstanding fees will be deducted from the final salary payment of employees when they leave. Financial Support for sponsored study at other universities 7. The University may pay part or all of the fees for attendance on a course taught at another university if the required course is not available within the University, or it would not be appropriate for the member of staff to study at the University. The course must be directly relevant to the work of the faculty or department. 8. For courses at other universities, the University may pay registration, tuition and examination fees. 9. The terms and conditions for financial support for courses at the University also apply to courses at other universities. Approval 10. Employees who wish to take sponsored study at external institutions must complete the sponsored study form from the Staff Development Unit. Employees who wish to take sponsored study at London South Bank University must complete the fee waiver form available from the Fees office, the Staff Development Unit and all Faculty offices. 11. The Executive Dean, or Head of Department has absolute discretion whether or not to approve an application in the light of the operational needs of a Faculty or Department. 12. The employee must obtain approval at the beginning of each academic year of a course. Leave of Absence 13. The Executive Dean, or Head of Department has discretion to approve the following leave of absence: (a) Attendance - leave of absence to attend classes up to a maximum of one full day or two half days per week during term times. When classes are not held during term time (e.g. during the Whitsun recess), employees must attend work. (b) Examination - study leave to prepare for examinations up to a maximum of one full day per examination. No study leave is available to prepare coursework. (c) Summer Schools Etc. - leave of absence to attend Summer Schools or other taught activities (e.g. intensive block study, or distance learning) up to a maximum of three full days per year. Any additional days must be taken as annual leave. Academic Progress 14. The progress of employees attending courses under the sponsored study policy, will form part of the appraisal interview discussion. Progress reports may be sought from the course director by the line manager. A suggested proforma for monitoring progress is attached at Annex 1. 15. Staff on sponsored study are required to inform their Executive Dean or Head of Department if they withdraw from the course. 16. The individual is responsible for informing Human Resources on successful completion of his or her course. Copies of the qualifications achieved will be stored on the individual's personnel file held in the Human Resources Department. 17. The University reserves the right to amend or terminate the arrangements of this policy. Annex 1 LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY SPONSORED STUDY APPLICATION AND EVALUATION FORM Name: ......................................................................................................... Faculty/Department: .......................................................................... Part A – Rationale for the proposed sponsored study 1. Course title and brief description of content. ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 2. Attendance/study details, eg. dates, locations, mode of attendance etc. Reasons for wishing to attend a course at another university, if applicable. ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 3. The objectives the course will help to achieve ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 4. What skills and/or knowledge will be learnt as a result of the course? ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 5. How will the new skills and/or knowledge be applied after the course? ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 6. Line manager’s comments, ie. expectations in terms of targets or standards ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ Signed: Participant: ................................................................................... Date: .......................................... Line Manager: .............................................................................. Date: .......................................... Part B – Annually and immediately after the end of the course 1. Did the proposed period of study take place? Yes/No (if no, give reason). ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 2. To what extent has the course met the agreed training and/or developmental needs? Please tick. Not at all Partially Totally Comments ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 3. How will the learning be applied? ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 4. What help/support is needed to put the learning into place? ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 5. To what extent did the activity represent: Please tick. Value for money: Not at all Partially Totally An acceptable standard of delivery: Not at all Partially Totally Comments: ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 6. Agreed date to review .................................................................................................................... 7. Line manager's recommendation to support the next year of study (based on progress to date) Yes/No Signed: Participant: ................................................................................... Date: .......................................... Line Manager: .............................................................................. Date: .......................................... Part C – Review to monitor impact on performance 1. How has the learning been applied since the course? ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 2. To what extent have the agreed objectives/targets or standards been met? Please tick: Not at all Partially Totally Comments: ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 3. If learning has not been applied, please state why. ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ 4. What further action or review is required? ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ Signed: Participant: ................................................................................... Date: .......................................... Line Manager: .............................................................................. Date: .......................................... This form has been developed from the Higher Education Training Organisation’s manual “Investors in People in Higher Education” September 1999.
