Publication scheme

What is a Publication Scheme?

Our publication scheme is a useful and comprehensive list of all the information that we routinely put into the public domain.

The Publication Scheme is divided into two parts:

Part one is the introduction. This tells you all about the scheme and how it works.

Part two is the actual list itself, the organised schedule of information sources.

The Publication Scheme

Click on this link to view the University of Westminster's Freedom of Information publication scheme


Introduction -

Legal requirement

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 obliging all public authorities to make information available proactively, through a publication scheme.
Public authorities are defined in the Act and include universities.

What is the publication scheme?

A publication scheme is a document that lists all the different types of information that an authority intends to publish and explains the manner in which it intends to publish them. In this context published information means information that is routinely and readily made available in a structured form, either on paper or on-line.
Our publication scheme is divided into seven sections that reflect our work and our organisation. In each section we have listed various classes of information. A class is a group that shares a common theme or function. Within each class we have itemised all our published information sources. We have noted how you can get hold of them, with web links if appropriate, and whether any access charges apply.

The ICO defined new publication scheme

The University of Westminster has adopted the Information Commissioner's Office definition document guidance for University publication schemes, V2.0 October 2008.
This definition document guidance is designed for universities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For more information visit the ICO website

About the University of Westminster

The University of Westminster (UoW) can trace its history as an educational facility back to 1838. In the past the institution was known as the Royal Polytechnic Institute, then the Regent Street Polytechnic and after 1970 as the Polytechnic of Central London, or PCL. In 1992 PCL was granted University status and gained the power to award degrees.

The University's constitutional framework is set out in a legal document called a Memorandum and Articles of Association. You can find a copy of this document here.

The University's chief executive officer is Professor Geoffrey Petts, our Vice-Chancellor and Rector. He is responsible to UoW's Court of Governors for the administration and management of the whole institution.
The University has four main sites, Cavendish, Marylebone, Regent (all in central London) and Harrow (west of London).

Academically the University of Westminster is organised into seven schools as follows:


Cavendish Campus: School of Electronics and Computer Science / School of Life Sciences

Harrow Campus: School of Media, Arts and Design / Westminster Business School

Marylebone Campus: Westminster Business School / School of Architecture and the Built Environment

Regent Campus: School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages / School of Law
 

Accessing information covered by the scheme

The publication scheme is divided into nine sections. Under each section heading you will find a brief introduction and a table listing all the useful information the University publishes.
Alongside each information source we have noted the manner in which it is published. All of the sources labelled Web can be found online. Visit and search if you want to read or download them.
Over time we will post more and more information on the Web. For now though, some of our sources are only available in printed form and others need to be consulted in our libraries. To discuss these options contact the University Records Manager:

Archive Services
University of Westminster
4-12 Little Titchfield Street
London
WIW 7UW

T: +44 (0)207 911 5158
F: +44 (0)207 911 5158
E: foi@westminster.ac.uk

We are committed to releasing all our published information sources in at least one free format. Requests for alternatives may attract a charge. For further details contact the Records Manager.

What about information not covered by the publication scheme?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 comes into full force on 1st January 2005. After this date you'll be able to request access to all the types of information that we hold, whether they are published or not.
Requests for unpublished information should be made to the University in writing either by post or email. The University will normally respond fully within 20 working days.
Please note that certain types of information are exempted by the Act. These include personal data (where disclosure continues to be governed by the Data Protection Act, 1998) as well as commercially sensitive and confidential materials. If your request for information is refused we will write to you explaining which exemption we have applied and why.

Copyright

The University of Westminster holds the copyright for most of the information in this scheme. Copyright material can be reproduced free of charge but it must not be used in a misleading context or for commercial purposes. The source of the material should be identified and the University of Westminster should be credited as the owner of the copyright.

Feedback and further information

It is important that this publication scheme meets your needs. If you find the scheme difficult to understand, please let us know. Any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme should be sent in writing to our Publication Scheme Co-ordinator.
If you want to take your complaint further or if you need independent advice on a Freedom of Information issue you should write to the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire, SK9 5AF
E: mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk
W: Information Commissioner's Office