Overview of Governance at Arts University Bournemouth
Arts University Bournemouth (formerly The Arts University College at Bournemouth) is a higher education corporation, established under the Education Reform Act 1988.
As an institution it has existed since 1887, and was granted status as a higher education institution in 2000 in accordance with the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. Following the award of its own teaching degree awarding powers by the Privy Council in 2008, it formally adopted its status as The Arts University College Bournemouth on the 1st July 2009. On 7th December 2012 following approval from the Privy Council we officially became Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).
The University’s governing documents, the Instrument and Articles of Government, are subject to Privy Council approval.
The University is governed by a Board of Governors: the majority are lay members although staff and student members are also elected to the Board. The Board of Governors has a number of standing committees to oversee particular areas of business. The Board is responsible for exercising the powers of the University as defined in the Instrument and Articles of Government, the Education Reform Act 1988, and the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.
The Principal, through the Senior Management Team, is responsible for the executive management of the University, supported by a number of executive committees. The Academic Board is the University’s principal academic authority. Subject to the responsibilities of the Board of Governors and the Principal, the Academic Board has oversight of academic activities, including: assessment, learning and teaching; and research/knowledge transfer and scholarly activity. The Faculty Boards are responsible to the Academic Board for overseeing academic activities in each faculty.
Charitable Status
The University is an exempt charity for the purposes of the Charities Act 2006. It is subject to charity law but is not regulated by, nor required to register with, the Charity Commission. The Higher Education Funding Council for England is designated as the ‘Principal Regulator’ for the institutions it funds and has a general duty to promote compliance with charity law.
The powers of the University, as defined in sub-section 124(1) of the Education Act 1988, are
- to provide higher education;
- to provide further education;
- to carry out research and to publish the results of the research or any other material arising out of or connected with it in such manner as the corporation shall see fit
These powers constitute the objects of the University. The charitable purpose of the University, as defined in the Charities Act 2006, is the advancement of education for the public benefit. The Trustees of the University are members of Arts University Bournemouth Board of Governors.
For further information please refer to the following documents:
Finance and Taxation
The University’s financial year runs from 01 August to 31 July. The University is VAT registered. The University’s VAT registration number is AUB is 619 5281 26 The University is partially exempt from VAT legislation as a supplier of education and research. By virtue of its charitable status, the University is exempt from corporation tax on its primary purpose activities.
Subsidiary Companies
Arts University Bournemouth has three related subsidiary companies that carry out non-primary trading purposes:-
- AUB Enterprises Ltd
- AUB Services Ltd
- Arts University Bournemouth Charitable Foundation
Legal Name and Correspondence Address
The legal name of the institution, principal place of business and address for correspondence is:
The Arts University Bournemouth, Wallisdown, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5HHA preferred name in use is Arts University Bournemouth
Governing Documents
The University’s governing documents – equivalent to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of a registered company or the Charter and Statutes of a chartered institution – are the Instrument and Articles of Government.
Instrument and Articles of Government (Word 190KB)
In addition the Board of Governors of the University has adopted the following statement of its primary responsibilities:
Statement of Primary Responsibilities (Word 132KB)
Financial Information
Information about the University’s finances and its audited financial statements can be found on the Annual Report and Accounts page.