A quick guide: Programme Level
A brief staff guide to QA at programme level. For more detailed information, please consult the relevant section of the Quality Assurance Handbook (QAH) identified.
Introducing a new programme
A short Concept Note should be completed in consultation with the Marketing Department.
The programme proposal form is divided into two parts.
Part 1 is to be submitted to your Faculty Office for approval at Faculty Management Group.
Part 2 is to be submitted to your Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching), together with:
- Programme specification
- External subject specialist comment form
- Course proposal forms for any new courses which form part of this new programme
- Optional: Comments from students, alumni and/or employers demonstrating demand for the new programme (no prescribed format)
Your complete programme proposal will then be considered by your Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee. If recommended it will then go to the Joint Faculty Programme Panel before going to Learning and Teaching Quality Committee for approval.
For more details, please see QAH A2
Changes to an existing programme
There are different procedures for minor and major changes to a programme, requiring different levels of approval.
Minor changes can be approved through the Annual Programme Review procedures (see below).
Major changes require a programme amendment form and an amended programme specification. These are changes which alter the substantive content of a programme, including:
- Changes to intended learning outcomes
- Changes to core or compulsory courses
- Addition or withdrawal of six optional courses (or half of the options offered)
- Introduction of pathways leading to differently named awards
- Introduction of distance learning, a year abroad, or time at a partner institution
These are approved in the same way as new programmes.
Withdrawing a programme
The rationale for withdrawal should be determined by your Department, and requests should be submitted to your Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee using a programme withdrawal form.
Annual Programme Review
Annual Programme Reviews of taught programmes are coordinated by the Faculty Offices. Convenors complete a review report template on the basis of feedback from student evaluation of courses, comments from visiting examiners, and statistics supplied by the Planning Office.
For more information, please see the guidance notes and the QAH B4
Visiting Examiner Reports
Visiting Examiners are appointed through the Registry to ensure the standard of awards. Their reports on each academic session form part of the Annual Programme Review, and are analysed separately at Departmental/Faculty and School levels.
Periodic Programme Review
A Periodic Programme Review is a review of a Department's portfolio of programmes conducted over a six-year cycle. These are cumulative reflections on Annual Programme Reviews and other annual cycles of activity, with the involvement of internal and external peers, and student representation.
