Student charter

A commitment between staff and students, this sets out what the University and you are expected to do to ensure a great student experience.

The community of scholars at Victoria University of Wellington comprises a partnership of students and staff who work together to develop learning that contributes to the development of the individual and of society.

The student charter is a formal and enduring commitment to this partnership that sets out the expectations of the student experience at Victoria University of Wellington and how that experience is fostered.

A good student experience is realised through individual and collaborative efforts to build understanding, skill and experience that are relevant not only to disciplinary expertise, but also to participation as a member of a global society. To achieve the greatest benefit from their university experience, students at Victoria University of Wellington are encouraged to work towards the following goals:

• being an active member of a scholarly community committed to enquiry and integrity
• engaging intellectually with others
• developing autonomy in pursuing knowledge and understanding
• broadening social and cultural engagement
• communicating concepts, ideas and arguments effectively.

Being an active member of a scholarly community committed to enquiry and integrity

To support students in achieving this goal, the University community is committed to:

• a system of student representation that emphasises partnership in making decisions that affect the student academic experience and broader university experience
• respect for individual difference, privacy and wellbeing
• enabling access to staff in order to support the quality of learning and of the university experience
• valid and fair assessment against clearly stated learning goals
• integrity in the academic community
• providing services that support student success and wellbeing in their study and engagement outside the University
• seeking and responding to student feedback on the experience of courses, programmes and student life
• fair and transparent procedures for dealing with complaints
• an environment that fosters overall physical and emotional wellbeing.

Engaging intellectually with others

To support students in achieving this goal, the University community is committed to providing opportunities to:

• interact during a programme of study with leading scholars at the University
• engage critically with the ideas of international scholarship
• develop a strong sense of disciplinary relevance in undertaking any enquiry
• work collaboratively with staff and other students to build skills of enquiry.

Developing autonomy in pursuing knowledge and understanding

To support students in achieving this goal, the University community is committed to providing:

• clear and comprehensive information about courses, qualifications and pathways into, through and out of study programmes, including to higher levels of graduate study
• clear information for understanding expected standards of academic performance
• constructive feedback that contributes to further learning
• opportunities to reflect on strategies to achieve high standards of performance
• academic support for setting and achieving personal goals
• resources, services and spaces that encourage self-directed learning.

Broadening social and cultural engagement

To support students in achieving this goal, the University community is committed to providing opportunities to:

• develop an international perspective through disciplinary study
• understand and apply the Treaty of Waitangi
• build awareness of the nature of cultural difference and intercultural communication
• apply for study abroad or other experience beyond the University.

Communicating concepts, ideas and arguments effectively

To support students in achieving this goal, the University community is committed to providing opportunities to:

• read extensively, purposefully and critically
• develop writing and speaking skills through guidance, practice and feedback
• explore issues and solutions to problems through interaction with others
• participate in different forms of communication with a wide spectrum of the University community.