Apprenticeship and Online Learning Programme Support Policy
3. Equality, diversity and inclusion
1. Introduction
The purpose of this policy is to support online learning and apprenticeship programmes and to ensure a clear relationship between the student and academic support offered by Library Services and City St George's, University of London.
2. Freedom of speech and academic freedom
2.1 City St George's, University of London, regards freedom of speech and academic freedom to be fundamental to delivering its mission as the University of business, practice and the professions. Its values in this are set out in a code of practice on freedom of speech and academic freedom, which explains how the University will uphold, secure, and promote freedom of speech within the law.
2.2 Nothing in this policy should be interpreted in any way that would be inconsistent with the code of practice and - in the event of any inconsistency - the provisions of the code will prevail.
3. Equality, diversity and inclusion
3.1 City St George's, University of London works to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in its activities, processes, and culture, for the whole University community, including staff, students and visitors.
3.2 The University will meet its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 in its policies and seek to eliminate discrimination on the basis of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital status, neurodiversity, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background.
4. Definitions
Apprenticeship Programmes is understood to include courses of study at any level which are designed to be delivered in collaboration with companies and organisations alongside practical training in the workplace. Provision of the correct level of library access is dependent on student registration data being accurately disseminated on the Students Information System (SITS).
Online Learning is understood to include courses which are designed to be delivered primarily online from City St George's and courses delivered through face-to-face teaching at a satellite campus. These courses are identified on SITS using codes 81-83 and codes 91-93 (Clerkenwell & Moorgate campuses) and SITS codes 01 and 02 (Tooting campus).
This document does not relate to:
- services for students undertaking placements or work-based study components of campus-based courses
- students enrolled on a campus-based course who live or work remotely from campus
- flexible courses where some on-campus attendance is required on a regular basis
- any programme delivered by a third party.
5. Policy
5.1 Scope
This document is intended for academic and professional services staff who are involved in the design and delivery of these programmes and will be reviewed as required to support any subsequent City St George's policies or directives relating to them.
5.2 Library spaces and print collections
Students on these programmes have full use of library spaces and print collections as outlined on the library web pages.
All students are bound by the terms and conditions of the Library Services Code of Conduct and the IT User Regulations. Access to library spaces and the loan of library items are dependent upon the production of a valid City St George's student ID card.
Library resources for these programmes will be purchased in line with the Library Services Collection Development Policy.
There is no provision for postal loans.
The University of London Libraries access agreement and the SCONUL Access scheme enable students to visit other London or UK university libraries. Borrowing provision at other libraries will be determined by the particular scheme or institution.
5.5 Online resources
Use of library resources is subject to licence agreements and copyright law. Clarification regarding acceptable use of these resources can be found in the Library Services Online Resource Policy. Access to these resources is normally via a student's IT login.
For general guidance, any use of online resources must be for educational and non-commercial purposes only, such as research or study. Commercial use is broadly defined as any activities which result in profit or monetary reward, or commercially funded research which is not shared in the public domain. As students on apprenticeship programmes are largely based in the workplace and may be asked to complete work-based projects, it is vital that all key stakeholders are aware of these legally binding conditions of use.
An early engagement with Library Services (see section 5.8 'Roles and responsibilities') is essential to establish the level of access to online resources which is available for specific student cohorts (not all licences provide access to online learners). Where additional costs are required, these should be identified in Stage 1 course approvals and should be met by the requesting School.
Any queries relating to the licence entitlements of specific resources should be sent to e-access@citystgeorges.ac.uk.
5.4 Digital course readings
Digital course readings are extracts from material which is not available online and which can be accessed via Reading Lists Online (Clerkenwell & Moorgate) or My Reading List (Tooting) in the form of scanned readings from books and journals.
For online learning courses and apprenticeship programmes based at City St George's campuses, these scans are made available in accordance with the terms of the Copyright Licencing Agency (CLA) Higher Education Licence. For courses based at overseas campuses, digital course readings are made under the terms of the CLA Overseas Campus Based Scheme; these readings can be stored on overseas servers (although access must be possible in the UK for auditing purposes), and scans must be made in the UK via the Library Services Digitisation Team. The library Digitisation Team should be made aware of any courses for which digital course readings may need to be made available.
Whether the course is based in London or overseas, if digital readings are required these may incur additional costs to the School, for which Library Services can provide a quote. Any queries should be directed to the relevant Subject Librarian in the first instance.
5.5 Inter-Library Loans
An Inter-Library Loans service is available to apprenticeship students. Standard fees will apply for all requests.
5.6 Copyright
The copyright law of both the UK and overseas territories must be adhered to by staff and students in the delivery of any online learning courses and apprenticeship programmes. When planning and delivering a programme academic staff should be aware of the following points:
- UK copyright law: any resources made available should conform to UK copyright law and the terms of any licences which the University holds. Currently these are the Copyright Licencing Agency Higher Education Licence and the Newspaper Licencing Agency Licence.
- Overseas copyright law: the copyright regime of the territory where overseas students are based prevails. Students are expected to be aware of the copyright law in their country. The Library Services Copyright and Digitisation Team is only able to provide guidance on UK copyright law. City St George's is not responsible for any breach of overseas copyright law.
Copyright guidance on UK law is available from Library Services.
5.7 Library Support
Any support from Library Services for these programmes is dependent upon prior discussion and agreement with the appropriate contacts (see section 5.8 'Roles and responsibilities') and may have an associated cost to the school delivering the course.
Accessibility support is not available from Library Services without prior discussion and referral from Student Health and Wellbeing (Clerkenwell and Moorgate) and Student Support (Tooting).
5.8 Roles and responsibilities
In order to ensure effective course planning, early engagement with Library Services is essential and should be established at stage one of the course approval process.
For information regarding course approvals contact Claire Packham (Head of Library Academic Services)
6 Procedure
N/A
7 Advice and guidance
Any enquiries relating to the policy should be directed to library@citystgeorges.ac.uk.
8. Failure to comply
Any misconduct or breach relating to this policy by any City St George's employee may lead to disciplinary action under the appropriate procedures:
- Clerkenwell & Moorgate campuses Disciplinary Procedure
- Tooting campus Disciplinary Procedure
Policy violations by students may be dealt with as cases of academic misconduct and standard disciplinary procedures will apply:
- Clerkenwell & Moorgate campuses Senate Regulation 13 Student Discipline
- Tooting campus Student Disciplinary Procedure
9. Review
This policy will be reviewed every 3 years and updated when appropriate, or as and when the Library Leadership Team considers it necessary.
Policy information
Should you require further information regarding this policy or access to the policy in an alternative format, contact library@citystgeorges.ac.uk.
Policy title: Apprenticeship and Online Learning Programme Support Policy
Policy version: V2
Primary author:
Related policies: Copyright Policy
Accountable authority: Director of Library Services
Approving authority: Library Leadership Team
Date of approval: July 2026
Policy effective from: July 2026
Date of review: July 2029