Ethics and Values Policy
Scroll
| Policy Owner | <insert role holder> |
| Version number | V1.0 |
| Review Cycle | <insert frequency> |
| Approval Route: | <insert board> |
| Latest publication: | <insert date> |
BIG International College (BIGIC) is committed to ensuring that all academic, professional, and commercial activity is conducted with integrity, transparency, fairness, and respect for human dignity.This Ethics and Values Policy establishes the principles that guide our conduct as a UK higher-education institution, ensuring compliance with:
The policy applies to all members of the BIGIC community, including staff, students, governors, contractors and suppliers, agents, consultants, and institutional representatives, external partners acting on BIGIC’s behalf.
It establishes the ethical framework that underpins our operations, reflecting our commitment to:
This policy forms part of BIGIC’s broader commitment to public confidence, good governance, and a safe, supportive environment for learning and work.
Our institutional vision is to build a college defined by integrity, leadership, and academic excellence, where ethical conduct informs teaching, learning, assessment, governance, and community engagement.
The Board of Governors has ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the College operates in accordance with these ethical principles.
The Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee will receive periodic assurance reports regarding compliance with this policy.
Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech:
BIGIC upholds lawful freedom of speech and academic freedom in line with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, the Education (No. 2) Act 1986, and OfS registration requirements. Staff and students may explore ideas, debate controversial topics, and express diverse viewpoints within the law and institutional policies.
Accessibility:
BIGIC believes education should be accessible to all. The College provides flexible learning opportunities, works to remove barriers for underrepresented groups, and aligns its approach with the OfS Equality of Opportunity Risk Register.
Accountability:
All members of the College community take responsibility for their actions and decisions. Accountability extends to students, colleagues, the public, the Board of Governors, and regulatory bodies such as the OfS, UKVI, and ICO.
Community:
BIGIC fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel connected, staff collaborate and mentor, and partnerships strengthen the wider learning community.
BIGIC promotes a supportive, inclusive environment where:
Compliance
The College will conduct all activities in accordance with national and international law, OfS regulatory requirements, and recognised sector standards. Staff are expected to understand and meet the legal obligations relevant to their roles.
Ethical Standards
BIGIC operates according to principles of integrity, professional responsibility, transparency, and respect for the dignity of others.
Excellence:
The College is committed to high-quality teaching, robust academic standards, continuous improvement, and programmes that are rigorous, relevant, and professionally aligned.
Innovation:
BIGIC encourages creative, evidence-based, and digitally enabled approaches to teaching, learning, and organisational development.
Empowerment:
Students are supported to become independent learners and global leaders through the development of critical thinking, professional growth, confidence, and self-direction.
Fairness:
Decisions and opportunities must be applied equitably and without discrimination, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Honesty:
Staff must declare conflicts of interest and avoid situations that compromise integrity or impartiality.
Integrity:
All institutional activity must be free from undue influence, conflicts of interest, corruption, bribery, or misrepresentation.
Kindness:
BIGIC promotes kindness, empathy, and respect, recognising that supportive environments enhance learning, wellbeing, and collaboration.
Openness:
The College aims to be transparent in its decision-making, limiting restrictions only where required for legal compliance, personal privacy, safeguarding, or commercial sensitivity.
Objectivity:
Appointments, contract awards, and operational decisions must be based solely on merit and evidence.
Public Interest:
Institutional decisions must prioritise the public interest and the benefit of students and the wider community.
Respect:
BIGIC values diversity and fosters a culture in which all individuals are treated with dignity.
Social Responsibility:
The College contributes positively to society through education, research, community engagement, partnerships, and responsible procurement.
BIGIC will not knowingly accept funding or enter partnerships that:
Funding and partnership proposals undergo ethical review to ensure:
BIGIC is committed to collaborating ethically with other education providers and partners. The College will not disparage competitors, use unethical, dishonest, or misleading recruitment practices, obtain information through improper means, engage in anti-competitive behaviour, or offer inappropriate inducements to students or staff. All competitive activity undertaken by the College must be lawful, professional, and transparent.
BIGIC conducts business only with organisations whose practices meet ethical, legal, and professional standards. All suppliers and subcontractors are required to comply with UK law, ethical procurement principles, and the College’s policies.
All recruitment agents acting on behalf of BIGIC must operate ethically, transparently, and honestly, without the use of improper inducements, and in full accordance with BIGIC’s Agent recruitment, selection and monitoring.
Honest and Transparent Information
BIGIC is committed to acting with honesty, integrity, and transparency in all communications with prospective and current students. The College will never knowingly provide information that is misleading, exaggerated, incomplete, or inaccurate. All published materials, verbal guidance, and written communications are produced with the intention of giving students clear, reliable, and truthful information to support informed decision-making.
Ethical Recruitment
BIGIC is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in all recruitment activities. The College strictly prohibits the use of improper financial inducements, misleading sales tactics, or any form of aggressive recruitment behaviour. All agents acting on behalf of BIGIC are required to comply fully with the College’s Agent recruitment, selection and monitoring Policy to ensure that recruitment practices remain fair, transparent, and ethical.
Student-Centred Delivery
We are committed to delivering programmes that meet the standards and expectations we advertise to students.
We ensure that teaching is provided in a timely manner and is of consistently high quality.
We provide appropriate academic support to enable students to engage fully with their studies and achieve successful outcomes.
Non-Judgemental Guidance
Academic and student support teams are required to provide impartial advice that enables students to make informed choices about their studies and personal circumstances.
Staff must support students in a way that promotes independent, well-considered decision-making.
All guidance should be delivered in the student’s best interests, without judgement, bias, or undue influence.
Respect and Equality
Students will be treated in accordance with the principles and protections set out in the Equality Act 2010.
All interactions with students will reflect the standards and commitments outlined in the College’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy.
Fair Complaints Handling
Confidentiality
BIGIC is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct in all aspects of its operations. The College prohibits bribery, fraud, and any form of improper inducement. BIGIC upholds the rights of staff to lawful freedom of expression and ensures that individuals who raise concerns in good faith are protected under the College’s whistleblowing arrangements. Confidentiality clauses will never be used to prevent staff from raising legitimate concerns, and the College actively promotes academic freedom in both research and teaching.
Staff are protected from victimisation, retaliation, or unfair disciplinary action when they raise issues relating to malpractice or wrongdoing. The College is committed to fostering an environment where concerns can be raised openly and addressed appropriately.
BIGIC recognises its wider responsibilities to the community and is committed to social responsibility, public accountability, ethical procurement, environmental sustainability, and transparent decision-making. The College aims to operate in a manner that strengthens public trust.
BIGIC conducts business only with organisations whose practices meet ethical, legal, and professional standards. All suppliers and subcontractors are required to comply with UK law, ethical procurement principles, and the College’s policies.
All recruitment agents acting on behalf of BIGIC must operate ethically, transparently, and honestly, without the use of improper inducements, and in full accordance with BIGIC’s Agent recruitment, selection and monitoring Policy.
Breaches of this policy may be addressed through the College’s disciplinary procedures, contractual remedites, or regulatory reporting processes where appropriate.