A total of 17 relationships between staff and students have been disclosed to the University of Kent in the past four academic years, a probe has revealed.

While the university would not reveal exact figures it also confirmed it had sacked between one and four staff for improper relationships in that period.

An investigation by university news site The Tab found five universities had sacked staff for sexual relationships with students after 60 such relationships were reported since 2017/18.

A spokesman for the University of Kent said: "Under our Personal Relationships Policy, a member of staff who enters into a personal relationship with a student for whom they have professional responsibility is required to report it to the university.

"The staff member is expected to help organise appropriate alternative arrangements so that they have no further professional responsibility for the student.

"This also applies to those who are expecting to have professional responsibility for someone with whom they are in an existing relationship - such as a married couple or a landlord-tenant - and who then enrols at the University as a student, whether undergraduate or postgraduate.

"The 17 relationships reported under this policy since 2017-18 included a number of cases where there was an existing relationship before one party became a student with us.

"In the very rare examples of non-adherence to this policy, disciplinary action would be taken where required."

The university has campuses in Medway and Canterbury catering for more than 18,000 students.

University of West of England (UWE) in Bristol, Kingston University in London, and Edge Hill in Lancashire have each sacked one staff member.

The University of Hertfordshire would also not confirm exact figures but has dismissed between one and five staff members.

At least 60 relationships between staff and students have been declared but just three UK universities explicitly ban such relationships.

Imperial College, Sheffield Hallam, and the University of South Wales, have also disciplined staff for sexual relationships.

But they would not say if they’d sacked any - arguing that doing so could identify the individuals involved.

The University of South Wales was asked to clarify if the university had sacked any staff over relationships with students.

But a spokesman said: "Owing to the small number of individuals involved it is considered that the university, if it were to disclose any further details would be making data available about an individual, or a small number of individuals, from which they could be identified.

"Individuals have an expectation that their personal information is protected and remains anonymous."

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