Publication scheme details

The Freedom of Information Act promotes greater openness and accountability across the public sector by requiring all 'public authorities' to make information available proactively, through a publication scheme.

A publication scheme is a document which outlines the information a public authority publishes or intends to publish.

The University of Brighton has adopted the model publication scheme developed for the Higher Education sector and is therefore committed to making key documents public, see University Information.

See university information provided under our publication scheme

If you cant find what you are looking for, make a request

A. Legal requirement

A.1 Adopting a publication scheme is a requirement of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This Act promotes greater openness and accountability across the public sector by requiring all 'public authorities' to make information available proactively, through a publication scheme.

A.2 'Public authorities' are listed in the Act and include universities, further education colleges and sixth form colleges.

B. What is a publication scheme?

B.1 The publication scheme is a document which outlines the information a public authority publishes or intends to publish. In this context, 'publish' means to make information available, routinely. These descriptions are called 'classes of information'. The scheme is not a list of the actual publications, because availability will change as new material is published or existing material revised. It is, however, the public authority's commitment to make available the information described.

B.2 A publication scheme must set out the classes, or categories, of information published. It must also make clear how the information included can be accessed and whether or not charges will be made.

C. The model publication scheme for higher education

C.1 The University of Brighton has adopted the model publication scheme developed for the Higher Education sector and is therefore committed to publishing the information it includes.

C.2 This model is designed for higher education institutions across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The purpose of the model is to save institutions duplicating effort in producing individual schemes and to assist the public in accessing information from across the sector. 

D. The University of Brighton

The University of Brighton adopted its university title in 1992, along with the UK's other former polytechnics. Brighton Polytechnic had been the product of a succession of mergers in the 1970s in Brighton and in Eastbourne but could trace its origins back to the middle of the nineteenth century in Brighton.

The constituent colleges which formed the polytechnic were Brighton College of Technology, Brighton College of Art and Design, Brighton College of Education and the East Sussex College of Higher Education.

Following a period of relative stability throughout the 1980s, the Sussex and Kent Institute of Nursing and Midwifery became part of the University of Brighton in 1994.

In 2003, the university opened the Brighton and Sussex Medical School run jointly with the University of Sussex and the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust.

Find out more:

The university has three campuses in Brighton. Subjects based on each campus include:

  • Falmer – initial teacher education, education studies, sports science, physical education, physiotherapy, podiatry and occupational therapy, nursing, medicine and paramedic science
  • Moulsecoomb – science and engineering, computing, architecture, humanities, social sciences, business, and language and literature
  • City campus – art and media

The university enrols 17,000 students each year with a significant concentration on full-time undergraduates and a growing number of taught postgraduates and research students. A staff of 2,150 includes around 900 academic and research staff. A range of central departments provide library and information services, sport and recreation provision, accommodation, personal counselling and other student support services across the university's campuses.

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E. Accessing information covered by the publication scheme

E.1 The classes of information we publish are outlined in Part 2 of the scheme.

E.2 The majority of documents can be downloaded from the University of Brighton website www.brighton.ac.uk and are also available in paper copy from the contacts indicated in the scheme. Normally single copies will be supplied free of charge with multiple copies being subject to a minimum fee of £10 for the first 20.

E.3 Please note that a publication scheme relates to 'published' information. Therefore, material covered has already been prepared in a format ready for distribution.

E.4 Copyright. The University of Brighton retains the copyright on the material in this publication scheme, unless otherwise stated. A single copy for personal, non-commercial use may be printed or downloaded but should not be further reproduced, distributed or adapted without the written permission of the copyright holder. An acknowledgement of the source and date should be given on any copy made.

E.6 To request information available through our publication scheme, please contact foi@brighton.ac.uk.

F. What about information not covered by the publication scheme?

F.1 Since 1 January 2005, any information held by a public authority which has not already been made available through its publication scheme may be requested. 

F.2 Requests must be made in writing and the University of Brighton will normally have 20 working days to respond. A fee may be charged, calculated according to Fees Regulations. 

Information subject to an exemption in the Act will not be released. However, the University of Brighton will be required to explain to the applicant why they are not releasing information and they may also have to justify this to the Information Commissioner.

F.3 All applications and enquiries should be addressed to foi@brighton.ac.uk.

G. Feedback

G.1 It is important that this publication scheme meets your needs. If you find the scheme difficult to understand, please let us know. We also welcome suggestions as to how our scheme might be improved. Any questions, comments or complaints should be sent in writing to:

Rachel Page
Head of Data Compliance and Records Management
University of Brighton
8th Floor, Cockcroft Building
Lewes Road
Brighton BN2 4GJ

G.2 Overall responsibility for the University of Brighton scheme is held by the Registrar and Secretary. Day to day responsibility for its operation and editing has been delegated to the Head of Data Compliance and Records Management.

G.3 If you are not satisfied with the way we have handled your request or with the reasons we have given for refusing to provide information, you have the right to ask for a review by writing to the Registrar and Secretary at the University of Brighton. 

G.4 The Information Commissioner is responsible for enforcing the operation of the publication scheme and you may appeal direct at any time either at data@dataprotection.gov.uk or

Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF

H. Further information

More information about the Freedom of Information Act is available on the Information Commissioner’s website at ico.org.uk.