The University has adopted the model publication scheme developed for the Higher Education sector and is committed to publishing the information it describes.
The scheme is divided into two parts: the introduction, see below for details and the classes of information published, information about this can be found on the classes of information page.
Adopting a publication scheme is a requirement of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This Act promotes greater openness and accountability across the public sector by requiring all 'public authorities' to make information available proactively, through a publication scheme.
'Public authorities' are defined in the Act and include Universities such as the University for the Creative Arts.
A publication scheme is a structured means of describing the information the University routinely publishes. The University's publication scheme is divided into seven classes or categories of information:
- Who we are and what we do
- What we spend and how we spend it
- What our priorities are and how we are doing
- How we make decisions
- Our policies and procedures
- Lists and registers
- The services we offer.
The Scheme is not a list of the actual publications, because this will change as new material is published or existing material revised. It is, however, our commitment to make available the information described.
The Scheme makes clear how the information described can be accessed and whether or not charges will be made.
The University for the Creative Arts has adopted the model publication scheme developed for the Higher Education sector and is therefore committed to publishing the information it describes.
This model is designed for Higher Education Institutions across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The purpose of the model is to save institutions duplicating effort in producing individual schemes and to assist the public in accessing information from across the sector. However, to reflect the diversity in size and function of institution, a number of optional classes of information are included. As a result, models within the sector will vary slightly. Any optional classes relevant to us have been included in our scheme.
At UCA, we believe that creativity makes global communities more vibrant, more innovative, more human.
Which is why, for 160 years, our university has been a passionate advocate for creative education and research.
We offer courses in Architecture, Crafts, Fashion, Graphic Design, Illustration, Fine Art, Photography, Film, Media, the Performing Arts and Creative Business. Our programmes are acclaimed for their top teaching quality, and highly respected by creative sector employers.
But we're a lot more than that, too.
Our goal
We want to inspire people to use their creativity to drive change, overcome challenges and improve the lives of others.
So we've designed our university to be an inclusive, dynamic environment. Our campuses across Surrey and Kent, our Institute for Creative Innovation in Xiamen, China, and our homes within partner organisations such as the Royal School of Needlework and Maidstone Television Studios all have one thing in common:
They are places to forge inspiring partnerships, make work with purpose and build real solutions to human problems across the globe - whether that's as part of our vibrant teaching and research community, or as a student on one of our courses.
The classes of information we publish are described in the second part of the scheme. Please see the classes of information page for more information.
Under each class heading we have described the information which is available. The majority of documents can be downloaded directly from the website and are also available in paper copy from the contacts indicated in the scheme. Publications are free unless otherwise stated.
Please note that a publication scheme relates to 'published' information. Therefore, material covered has already been prepared in a format ready for distribution.
You will have the right, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, to request any information held by the University which it has not already made available through our publication scheme.
Requests will have to be made in writing and the University will have 20 working days to respond. The University will not be required to release information to which an exemption in the Act legitimately applies. However, we may be required to explain to the applicant why we are not releasing information and we may also have to justify this to the Information Commissioner.
It is important that this publication scheme meets your needs. If you find the scheme difficult to understand, please let us know. We also welcome suggestions as to how our scheme might be improved. Any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme should be sent in writing to the Freedom of Information Officer. If you find broken links within the publication scheme, please email foi@uca.ac.uk and we will resolve the problem as soon as possible.
If we are unable to resolve any complaint, you can complain to the Information Commissioner, the independent body who oversees the Freedom of Information Act. To view full contact details for the Information Commissioner, please see the Information Commissioner's Office website