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Governance and Structure

​​​​​The University Executive Committee is responsible for all matters associated with the development and management of the university.

Learning Analytics Policy

Last updated: 23 April 2026

Introduction

1. We use learning analytics to help students understand their engagement and to help staff offer timely support. We do not use learning analytics for assessment or discipline. We do not take significant action about an individual without human involvement. This policy explains our purposes, what data we use, who can see it, and your choices. See also our Student Privacy Notice and Data Protection Policy. 

2. This policy covers the Jisc Learning Analytics service, attendance recording, and the student app. It applies to all taught students and the staff who support them. 

3. The institution will use learning analytics to help meet a student-focused vision, where focus will be placed on challenging and supporting students to ensure they produce their best work. This means keeping under continuous review how we strike the right balance in being supportive towards students and maximising their opportunities to succeed while still upholding academic rigour and challenge. The Personal Tutor Scheme will be the key enabler for learning analytics at University of Gloucestershire: Each student has a Personal Tutor*, a critical component in monitoring their progress and providing support and encouragement through their learning journey. 
*All taught students have a Personal Tutor, or equivalent,for the duration of their studies, although for some provision, including apprenticeships, the tutor carrying out the Personal Tutor functions may be known by another role title. 

4. Students have a responsibility to engage with the learning opportunities provided by their course. These expectations and the University’s approach to Personal Tutor interventions are set out in the Engagement and Attendance Policy. 

5. The University will ensure that learning analytics is deployed for the benefit of students and follow the following statement of principles:

a) We will use learning analytics to help all students reach their full academic potential. 

b) We will be transparent about data collection, sharing, consent and responsibilities.

c) We will abide by ethical principles and align with our University strategies, policies and values.  

d) Learning analytics will not be used to inform significant action at an individual level without human intervention.

6. All activities in this area will comply with the institution’s Data Protection Policy and Student Privacy Notice plus UK Data Protection legislation.

Responsibility

7. Overall responsibility for learning analytics at University of Gloucestershire is held by the Chief Operating Officer. 

8. Analytics presented to students are intended to help them understand how their learning is progressing, and suggestions may be made as to how they can improve their practices. Students are responsible for assessing how they can best apply any such suggestions to their learning. Any questions about learning analytics should be directed to Student Centres. 

Transparency and Consent

9. Students are informed about how their data will be processed when they agree to the relevant Student Contract and associated Student Privacy Notice at enrolment. Data will be collected for learning analytics in compliance with these documents.  

10. The data for learning analytics comes from a variety of sources, including the Student Records system and the Virtual Learning Environment.  

Confidentiality

11. Personally identifiable data and analytics on an individual student will be provided only to: 

a) The student.

b) University staff members who require the data to support students in their professional capacity.

c) University staff in Data and Insights who are working in partnership with the data processors to develop and improve the modelling and to evidence the impact of interventions.
 
d) Third parties who are processing learning analytics data on behalf of the institution. In such circumstances, the University will put in place contractual arrangements to ensure that the data is held securely and in compliance with UK Data Protection legislation. 

e) Other individuals or organisations to whom the student gives specific consent.

12. University IT staff will have access to systems and data to maintain proper functioning of systems rather than to access any individual’s data. 

Sensitive data

13. UK Data Protection legislation defines categories of “sensitive data” such as ethnicity or disability. Any use of such data for learning analytics will be fully justified and documented in the Student Guide to Learning Analytics and Attendance and any project initiation document or similar. These will also reflect any developments on the interpretation of “sensitive data” in UK Data Protection legislation.  

Validity

14. The quality, robustness and validity of the data and analytics processes will be monitored by the University, which will use its best endeavours to use learning analytics in line with best practice in the sector, for example ensuring that: 

a) Inaccuracies and gaps in the data are understood and minimised. 

b) Interpretation of analytics findings are informed by people with relevant qualifications and experience. This should help avoid overreliance on single findings, for example.
 
c) Learning analytics is seen in its wider context, and is combined with other data and approaches as appropriate. 

Student access to personal data

15. Students have the right to correct any inaccurate personal data held about themselves. 

16. Students will also be able to view any metrics derived from their data, and any labels attached to them, though sometimes they may need to request to do so. 

Interventions

17. A range of interventions may take place with students. These may include: 

a) Prompts or suggestions sent automatically to the student via email, SMS message or Jisc mobile app notification.

b) An invitation to talk. Staff use analytics to inform conversations, not to make assumptions. 

18. Interventions, whether automated or by University staff, will normally be recorded within the Student Records system. 

19. Metrics from learning analytics are not used for summative assessment. 

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