The university recently published its consumer protection policy, which outlines how it ensures compliance with consumer protection law and advice for the higher education sector from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Alongside the policy, a new staff training course and informational SharePoint site have been developed.

Generally speaking, the university is bound by consumer protection requirements as it markets and provides education services. Its consumers are its prospective and current students.

In March 2015, the CMA published advice to help higher education providers across the UK understand and meet their consumer protection responsibilities. The advice was updated and re-issued on 31 May 2023.

If the university does not comply with its consumer protection obligations, it may face student complaints or legal action and suffer reputational and financial damages.

Staff e-learning module

To help support colleagues in understanding and complying with responsibilities in relation to consumer protection, a new staff e-learning module has been developed. The module is mandatory for colleagues whose responsibilities align closest with curriculum change and student recruitment activity (outlined below). However, all university staff are responsible for ensuring materials and interactions with students are compliant and are encouraged to undertake the e-learning.

The e-learning is mandatory for the following staff:

Faculties  

• Any Faculty staff (R&T, APM, Technical) that are not formally part of a School or Professional Service)

Schools

• All R&T staff
• All APM staff
• All technical staff

Professional Services

• All RAA staff
• All External Relations staff
• Institute for Professional and Work-Based Learning
• University of Nottingham Online
• Any roles not covered by the above that support CPD or short course (including evening classes) activity.

The e-learning (approximately 1 hour) can be accessed through the university short courses site.

Please note all staff involved in university open days should complete the training before these recruitment events.

All eligible staff should complete the e-learning by Sunday 30 June 2024.

SharePoint site

Additional guidance and resources to assist staff can be found in the consumer protection SharePoint site.  Further information will be added as it becomes available.