Governance of the University
The University is an independent corporation whose legal status derives from a Royal Charter granted in 1905. Its objectives, powers and governance framework are set out in the Charter (PDF, 41KB) and its Statutes (PDF, 86KB) . The University's Charter requires the existence of the following officers and bodies:
Officers of the University
The Chancellor is formally the lay head of the University and the Chair of Court and attends on a number of special occasions, including degree ceremonies. Other lay officers comprise three Pro-Chancellors, one of whom acts as the Chair of Council, and the Treasurer.
The Vice-Chancellor is the chief academic and executive officer of the University. He is chairman of Senate, and is responsible for the executive management of the University and is accountable to the Council for the exercise of these responsibilities. He is assisted by eight Pro-Vice-Chancellors.
The Registrar and Secretary has overall responsibility for all the University's professional services.
Officers of the University (PDF, 7.2KB)
The Council
The University Council is the governing body of the University, responsible for the strategic development and overall performance of the University's business.
It is responsible for ensuring proper conduct of University business in support of the objectives defined by the University Charter and Statutes, including strategic planning, financial affairs, estate management, staffing matters, health and safety issues, and oversight of the Students' Union.
Council membership comprises lay and academic persons appointed under the Statutes of the University, the majority of whom are non-executive. Much of the work of Council is carried out through formally constituted committees.
The minutes of Council meetings are available on the Council web page.
The Senate
Senate is responsible for academic governance of the University. It is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor.
Senate is the supreme academic authority, responsible for the academic work of the University and the regulation and superintendence of the education and discipline of students.
The Faculties
The University's six faculties are responsible for teaching, research and examining of subjects within departments and for regulating admission of students to them.
Faculties also make recommendations to the Senate on the award of degrees, fellowships and prizes as well as on academic staff appointments and promotions.
The Court
The University Court is a large, formal body that meets annually and serves a number of official and unofficial functions. It elects the Chancellor and one of its main responsibilities is to foster a healthy relationship between the University and the wider community.
It does this by bringing together people from bodies whose links with the University make a valuable and positive contribution, and its membership is representative of the University and its wider community.