The University of Wolverhampton is committed to protecting freedom of speech within the law and academic freedom.
If you believe that something the University has done, or failed to do, has adversely affected your freedom of speech or academic freedom, you can raise your concern with the University.
From 1 September 2026, the Office for Students (OfS) also operates a Free Speech Complaints Scheme for certain individuals. The scheme is free to use and provides an external route for eligible complaints concerning registered higher education providers in England.
Who can use the OfS Free Speech Complaints Scheme?
You may be eligible to make a complaint to the OfS if you are, or were:
- a member or member of staff of the University, including academic staff;
- an applicant for an academic staff post at the University; or
- an actual or invited visiting speaker at the University.
The scheme also covers eligible former members and former members of staff where the relevant requirements are met.
Are students eligible?
Students cannot make a complaint through the OfS Free Speech Complaints Scheme.
Students who believe their freedom of speech has been adversely affected should use the University's relevant complaints process. Where eligible, students may subsequently be able to take an unresolved complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA).
Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education - OIAHE
What can I complain about?
The OfS scheme considers complaints where an eligible person claims that they have experienced adverse consequences because of something a university or college has done, or failed to do, and that this may amount to a breach of the institution's duty to secure freedom of speech within the law.
Adverse consequences do not have to be financial.
Depending on the circumstances, a concern might relate to matters such as:
- being disciplined or investigated because of something you have lawfully said or written;
- restrictions affecting academic teaching or research;
- an academic freedom concern;
- an employment-related decision connected to lawful expression;
- restrictions placed on an event or speaker;
- cancellation of a speaking event; or
- another University action or failure to act which you believe has adversely affected your lawful freedom of speech.
Whether a particular complaint falls within the scheme will ultimately be determined by the OfS.
Does the scheme cover things that happened before 1 September 2026?
The scheme is not retrospective.
The OfS will not review a free speech complaint to the extent that it concerns University action or inaction which took place before 1 September 2026.
However, there can be circumstances where something which began before 1 September continues to involve University action or inaction after that date.
For example, the OfS explains that a policy introduced before September 2026 which remains in force and continues to affect an academic's freedom after 1 September may potentially give rise to an eligible complaint about the relevant action or inaction occurring from that date onwards. Eligibility will depend on the individual circumstances.
Should I raise my concern with the University first?
Yes.
Where the University has an internal disciplinary, complaints, appeals, grievance or similar review process through which the issue can be considered, the OfS normally expects that process to be started first.
The OfS will normally accept a complaint once:
- you have received confirmation that the relevant University process has been completed; or
- if earlier, 90 days have passed since that process began.
You therefore do not necessarily have to wait indefinitely for an internal process to finish before approaching the OfS.
Raising a concern with us
If you are concerned that your freedom of speech or academic freedom may have been affected, you do not need to decide for yourself whether there has been a legal breach before raising the issue with us.
You can tell us:
what happened;
what speech, expression, teaching, research or other activity was involved;
what the University did or did not do; and
how you believe this affected you.
We can then consider the appropriate route for your concern.
Raising a concern does not mean that the University has determined that a breach has occurred. Equally, providing support to someone who raises a concern does not mean that the University has accepted or rejected any person's account or viewpoint.
What happens if I make a complaint to the OfS?
The OfS will first consider whether the complaint meets the requirements of its scheme.
If it accepts the complaint, the University will normally be informed and given an opportunity to respond. The OfS may seek information from the complainant and the University and, where appropriate, may seek input from academic or other experts.
The OfS will then determine whether the complaint is justified under its scheme.
As the scheme is new, the OfS says that its timescales will remain under review. It currently estimates that most reviews will be completed within six months, although some may take less or more time.
Does freedom of speech mean that anything can be said?
No.
The University's duty concerns freedom of speech within the law.
The OfS scheme does not protect unlawful speech. There may also be circumstances in which a university can lawfully place proportionate restrictions on speech.
At the same time, speech does not become unlawful simply because it is controversial, unpopular or offensive to others.
Questions about freedom of speech can sometimes involve other rights and responsibilities, including equality law, harassment, safeguarding, employment responsibilities, academic freedom, professional requirements and the rights of others.
These issues will be considered according to the individual circumstances.
You can still ask for support
Raising a freedom of speech or academic freedom concern does not prevent you from asking for support.
If something has affected your wellbeing, studies or work, you can seek appropriate University support regardless of whether a formal complaint has been made or whether a breach of freedom of speech or academic freedom is ultimately established.
Support does not require a determination that anyone has done something wrong.
Further information
The Office for Students provides detailed information about the scheme, including eligibility, the types of complaints it can consider and how to submit a complaint: