The National Union of Students has condemned the new code, introduced by Chester University, which already exists at Oxford University, obligating students to attend promptly and participate in course activities or face being chucked out of college.

Concerns have been raised that such codes are too one-sided against students, who pay thousands of pounds for their tuition and who should be viewed as equal stakeholders in their education.

A spokesperson for Abertay said, “We don’t have that kind of contract here at Abertay, but students are expected to sign up to official course regulations as to how they use the library and IT systems.

“We keep these issues under review but have no plans to introduce a code of conduct at present.”

A spokesperson for Dundee University said, “We do not have a code of conduct and we have no plans to introduce one in the future.”

James Alexander, president of NUS Scotland, said, “We are very concerned about the introduction of these contracts in England. This is part of an overall trend to treat students more as customers when, in fact, they are stakeholders in their education.

“Universities down south are getting worried students might turn around and sue them for not awarding a good degree, so they are covering their backs.

“It is part of a greater movement towards the ‘marketisation’ of universities and education, which we are worried might creep over the border. So we are quite happy with any university that chooses not to introduce these contracts.”