Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct is designed to supplement the College’s Code of Ethics by providing detailed explanations and examples of unacceptable behaviour.

The purpose of this Code is to encourage and maintain standards of conduct by students consistent with the values and expectations of the Imperial community. The Code applies to conduct both on and off the College’s campuses and premises, as well as online. It also applies to students engaged in Imperial College Union (ICU) activities.

The Code is complementary to, and does not replace, other standards, regulations, Imperial Values, or professional conduct requirements applying to students in the College.

In addition to the summary below, the full code of conduct is available to browse: Student Code of Conduct 2023-24.

Respect for each other and our surroundings

Students should treat others as they themselves would like to be treated, with dignity and due respect at all times. The College community is one in which discrimination, bullying, harassment, and victimisation are never tolerated.

Students should treat others equitably and work to create an inclusive environment in which everyone is safe to speak up and share their perspective. Students are encouraged to be curious and seek to understand diverse perspectives.

Students should take responsibility for their behaviour and their impact on others. Students should consider and respond to the needs of others, ensuring communications with others are considerate and respectful.

Our campuses, property, and facilities should be treated with respect. They are for the safe and enjoyable use of all our community and should be used for their designated purposes and not intentionally or recklessly damaged or defaced.

Whilst freedom of speech or expression is an important right for all in our community, it is not an unqualified right. It is important to remember that a person’s right to freedom of speech means lawful freedom of speech. That means that speech that might be criminal in nature, or otherwise in breach of civil law, is not protected by a person’s right to freedom of speech or expression.

Honesty and Integrity

Students should demonstrate a commitment to independence, honesty, and transparency. They should be honest and truthful in their dealings with each other and with third parties. 

Students engaged in research activities should conduct their research in a way that supports public trust and confidence in the College’s research methods and findings. They should demonstrate rigour, honesty and integrity, and abide by relevant ethical and legal standards.

Students should not become complicit in any activities in which a student gains an unfair advantage, through plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, examination offences, dishonest practice, or other means. Students should comply with the College’s Policy on Academic Misconduct.

Sexual misconduct and abuse

Sexual misconduct (i.e., sexual harassment, sexual violence) is never tolerated. All students are expected to act to ensure a working and learning environment free from these behaviours.  

Sexual misconduct is any act of violence or harassment which is sexual in nature or any kind of unwanted, non-consensual sexual touching, or harassment, within or outside a relationship. This may include rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation or groping. It also covers behaviours such as grooming, coercion, the promise of a reward for sexual access and sexual demands or threats.

Bullying, harassment, and discrimination

We do not tolerate bullying or harassment and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination against any other person on grounds of any protected characteristic (age, disability, race, including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, being pregnant or on maternity leave, being married or in a civil partnership, or gender confirmation). Nor do we tolerate any form of targeting an individual on account their personal attributes.  This includes but is not limited to a medical condition, e.g. HIV or AIDS status, or socio-economic status. 

Harassment occurs where an individual engages in unwanted conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating another person’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading or offensive environment for that person. An individual may feel harassed or offended even when the inappropriate comment or conduct is not made towards or about the individual personally.

Harassment can take a variety of different forms which can be written, verbal, nonverbal or transmitted electronically, may consist of a single incident or a series of incidents, and may or may not be intentional. Examples include repeatedly ignoring a person through to subjecting him or her to unwelcome attention, ridicule or humiliation. More extreme forms of harassment and bullying include intimidation, physical threats or violence. 

Types of harassment include sexual harassment, and harassment based on a protected characteristic, or about the personal attributes of a person. This may include but is not limited to inappropriate gestures or jokes about, or gratuitous references to, a person’s characteristic. It can also include inappropriate displays of posters, or other offensive material, and singling out of a person for different treatment based on a characteristic.

 Victimisation is when a person is treated unfairly because they have complained about being discriminated against or harassed. We will not tolerate victimisation against an individual because they have made, or intend to make, a complaint or allegation, or has given, or intends to give, assistance and/or evidence in an investigation. 

There is no legal definition of bullying. Whether an individual considers that they have been bullied is subjective and so it is very important to be mindful of whether your behaviour could be interpreted as being bullying. However, there are behaviours that are generally recognised as constituting bullying, such as the exercise of power over another person through persistent, negative acts or behaviour that undermines an individual, personally and/or professionally. 

Support

Acts of bullying, harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct are not acceptable. The College uses a variety of tools and offers services which allows you to disclose and seek support if you have experienced any unwelcoming behaviours such as bullying, harassment, sexual violence, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, racial discrimination and more. 

Find out more by visiting the Student Support Zone.