GOVERNANCE
Publications
Governance: how the University is run
The following provides information about the University's governance and legal structure. Information about University committees is also available.
Legal status of the University
The University is a chartered corporation, whose legal status derives from a Royal Charter granted in 1909. The University's objects, powers and framework of governance are set out in the Charter and supporting statutes and ordinances, which are published annually in the Statutes, Ordinances, Regulations and Official Record.The Charter and Statutes require the University to have four separate bodies – Court, Council, Senate and Convocation, each with clearly defined functions and responsibilities – to oversee and manage its activities.
Council
Council is the University’s 32-strong governing body. It normally meets six times a year and is responsible for policy, financial affairs and a wide range of other business. It includes members of the academic and support staff, students and lay people. The lay members are in a majority and most of them are elected by Court or appointed by external bodies for renewable three-year terms. The chair is elected from the lay membership. The minutes of Council meetings are available to members of the University on the Council website, which also provides information about the specialist committees that advise Council on finance, estates, student affairs and other matters.
Senate
Senate is the University’s principal academic body, responsible to Council for teaching and learning, examinations, research and enterprise. It has more than 100 members, including deans, heads of department and student representatives, and is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor. Senate normally meets five times a year. The minutes of its meetings are available to members of the University on the Senate website, which also provides information about the committees that advise Senate on research, education and so forth.
Court
Court has about 550 members. They include members of Council and Senate, representatives of local and national bodies, benefactors of the University, staff, students, local MPs and members of Convocation. Court usually meets once a year to consider the annual accounts and the strategy and management of the University. It has the right to comment on the affairs of the University, advise Council on any matter and invite Council to review a decision. The Chancellor presides at meetings of Court. For more information, visit the Court website.
Convocation
Convocation has many thousands of members, including all of the University’s graduates and honorary graduates. It manages its affairs through a Standing Committee and holds an annual general meeting. Convocation elects 100 members of Court and one member of Council. It has the right to give an opinion on any matter relating to the University and may communicate directly with Council, Senate and Court. More information about Convocation is available.
Faculties
The University has more than 34 academic departments, grouped into six faculties (Arts, Engineering, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Medicine and Dentistry, Science and Social Sciences and Law). Each faculty is headed by a dean. He or she chairs the faculty board (which manages the faculty’s affairs) and advises Senate and other bodies on academic policy. Deans normally serve for four years. There is more information on our faculties page.
Prominent figures within the University
The Chancellor
The Chancellor is elected by Court on the nomination of Council for an initial period of ten years, is the ceremonial head of the University, presides over meetings of Court, confers degrees and is a source of advice.
Pro Chancellors
There are currently four Pro Chancellors, elected by Court on the nomination of Council for an initial three-year term, who carry out certain of the Chancellor’s functions in her absence.
Vice-Chancellor
The Vice-Chancellor is the academic leader and chief executive of the University, appointed by Council after consultation with Senate. As the University's Chief Executive, he is responsible for the financial management of the University within broad policies laid down by Council and in accordance with funding council requirements.
Pro Vice-Chancellors
The Vice-Chancellor is supported by four Pro Vice-Chancellors, appointed by Council after consultation with Senate for an initial four-year term. Each Pro Vice-Chancellor has responsibility for particular faculties and policy areas.
Registrar
Working alongside the Pro Vice-Chancellors and, like them, reporting direct to the Vice-Chancellor is the Registrar. He is responsible for all the University’s professional and support services, which are delivered through 13 divisions (support services).