Our governance
Explore our governing documents, which set out our objectives, powers and who exercises our functions.
Governance documents
The University is an exempt charity incorporated by Royal Charter in 1961. The Charter is the University’s primary governing document and sets out the institution’s charitable purpose and objectives. The Charter, Statutes and Regulations form the University’s governing documents.
The governing documents set out the University’s objectives, its powers and who has the power to exercise its functions. In line with the Office for Students’ Regulatory Framework, the University’s governing documents uphold the public interest governance principles.
Charter
The Charter [DOC 48KB] is the legal document that created the University of Sussex in August 1961.
Statutes
The Statutes [PDF 89KB] provide additional information on the University’s fundamental governance structures and constitutional procedures.
The Charter and Statutes are approved by the Privy Council.
Regulations
The Regulations are internal documents which provide further information about the role and responsibilities of Council, Senate and of University Officers. They also set out specific processes and procedures used to govern the University.
- List of regulations
- Regulation 1: Members of the University
- Regulation 2: Student Discipline
- Regulation 3: The Students' Union
- Regulation 4: Senate
- Regulation 5: Council
- Regulation 6: Court
- Regulation 7: Officers of the University
- Regulation 8: Responsibility for creation and amendment of Regulations
- Regulation 9: Procedure for written and email resolutions
- Regulation 10: Delegation
- Regulation 11: The Auditors
- Regulation 12: Service of Notices and Documents
- Regulation 13: Academic Units
- Regulation 14: Deanship of Medical School
- Regulation 15: Titles for Academic Appointments
- Regulation 16: First Degrees, Foundation Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and Other Distinctions
- (Decommisioned in July 2025) Regulation 17: Affiliated Institutions
- Regulation 18: Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates awarded jointly by the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton
- Regulation 19: Research Degrees in the Brighton and Sussex Medical School awarded jointly by the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton
- (Decommissioned in July 2025) Regulation 20: Common Professional Examination in Law
- (Decommissioned in July 2025) Regulation 21: Degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Fine Arts, Master of Laws, Master of Research, Master of Science and for Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificate, including PGCE
- (Decommissioned in July 2025) Regulation 22: Degree of Master of Arts in Social Work and its Associated Awards
- Regulation 23: Degrees of Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy
- Regulation 24: Professional Doctorates and Exit Awards
- Regulation 25: Higher Research Degrees
- Regulation 26: Honorary Degrees
- Regulation 27: Academical Dress
- Regulation 28: Library
- Regulation 29: Other Regulations concerning the University Site and Buildings, Computing Relations and Miscellaneous Administrative Regulations
- Regulation 30: Grievance Procedure
- Regulation 31: Disciplinary Procedure
- Regulation 32: Redundancy Procedure
- Regulation 33: Capability Procedure
- Regulation 34: Sickness Absence and Medical Incapacity Procedure
- Regulation 35: Probationary Procedure
- Regulation 36: Procedure for Dismissal on Grounds of Some Other Substantial Reason or Statutory Bar
- Regulation 37: Procedure for Dismissal and Removal from Office of the Vice-Chancellor
Schedule of Delegation
The Schedule of Delegations [PDF 174KB] summarises the specific delegations detailed within the Charter, Statutes and Regulations.
Conferment of Degrees
The Conferment of Degrees [PDF 67KB] sets out which University Officers and Senior Executives have delegated authority to confer degrees.
Public Interest Governance Principles
As a registered Higher Education provider, the University of Sussex is required to reflect and uphold the public interest governance principles. The University is committed to actively upholding the Public Interest Principles [PDF 102KB].
Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech
The University has a foundational commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech, which are two of the public interest governance principles. A detailed statement on the University’s commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech can be found here.