This section of the website provides information about the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, the University of London’s Publication Scheme and General Right of Access route, how to contact the University and some useful information resources.

About the Freedom of Information Act (FOI)

The FOI Act was passed on 30th November, 2000 and was brought into effect in January 2005. One of its aims is to develop a culture of openness in government and public bodies. All public authorities, including universities, should be clear and proactive about the information they make available.

The Act establishes a right of access to all types of recorded information held by the University and imposes obligations on it to disclose information, subject to a range of exemptions.

There are two ways in which information can be accessed under the FOI Act: a Publication Scheme and a General Right of Access route. The Publication Scheme provides details of the types of information that are routinely produced by the University. The General Right of Access route to information allows a specific request for information to be made.

The information listed in the Publication Scheme is made available in electronic format and/or as a hard copy. Electronic information is available via hypertext links from the Publication Scheme which will direct you to the relevant website. Information in hard copy is available upon request, where necessary, from the University at the contact address given.

Publication Scheme

The University of London’s Publication Scheme and the Publication Scheme of its subsidiary, Senate House Services Limited, are available from this page. The Schemes set out the classes of information that the University publishes or intends to publish, the manner in which this information will be published and whether the information is available free of charge or on payment. The information listed in the schemes is available free of charge unless otherwise stated.

These Schemes set out the circumstances under which the University is required to make information routinely available, except where:

• the University does not hold the information;
• the information is exempt under one of the FOI exemptions or Environmental Information Regulations exceptions, or its release is prohibited under another statute;
• the information is archived, out of date or otherwise inaccessible; or
• It would be impractical or resource-intensive to prepare the material for routine release.

Each scheme can be viewed by using the links below:

• University of London Publication Scheme  [PDF 14pgs, 180KB]
• Senate House Services Ltd Publication Scheme [PDF 6pgs, 30KB]

General Right of Access

Under this route to obtaining information, a public authority must respond to a request within 20 working days. The University is not obliged to grant all requests as some exemptions exist. If a request is made to the University and the information sought is considered to be covered by an exemption, the University will respond accordingly.

If you are dissatisfied with the response you have had from the University, in respect of a request for information, you may invoke the Appeals and Complaints Procedure  [PDF 1pg, 17KB].  

Copyright

Information which is generated by the University or SHS and is included in either publication scheme may be reproduced for information, personal study and non-commercial purposes only.

Permission to reproduce information in the publication scheme does not extend to any material which is identified as being the copyright of a third party. Authorisation to reproduce such material must be obtained from the copyright holders concerned.

Contact the University

You can contact the Freedom of Information Officer by writing to the University Records Manager and Freedom of Information Officer, Legal and Constitutional Office, University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU.

Information Resources

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Data Protection Act

Information Commissioner’s Office 

Lord Chancellor’s Code of Practice   [PDF 23pgs, 55KB]

Ministry of Justice