TYPE OF COURSE

 APPROVAL REQUIRED
 

1

New Courses which are wholly constructed from existing modules or include no more than one new module that contribute to degree classification (UG) or no more than one new core module (PGT)

Part 1: Approval for Publicity, requires the department to make a general case that the proposed course is academically coherent and justify its introduction.  Once Approval for Publicity is granted, the new course may be advertised. 

Part 2: Final Approval, involves providing full details of any new modules and the programme specification (word document) and module map (excel document).  Once Final Approval is granted offers of admission to the course can be made. 

Part 1 and Part 2 can be submitted together if a department prefers.

Paperwork submitted direct to the Faculty Dean via the Academic Officer.

External comment from an existing or recent external examiner required.   The external should be asked to comment specifically on:

• The alignment of the award and it component parts with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications;

• the appropriateness of the curriculum in relation to national benchmarks and similar provision at other HEIs;

• the appropriateness of the strategy for learning, teaching and assessment.

2

New Courses which include more than one new module that contribute to degree classification (UG) or more than one new core module (PGT) 

Part 1: Approval for Publicity, requires the department to make a general case that the proposed course is academically coherent and justify its introduction.  Once Approval for Publicity is granted, the new course may be advertised. 

Part 2: Final Approval, involves providing full details of any new modules and the programme specification (word document) and module map (excel document).  Once Final Approval is granted offers of admission to the course can be made.

Part 1 and Part 2 can be submitted together if a department prefers.

Paperwork submitted direct to the Faculty Board (documentation must be sent to the appropriate Academic Officer at least two weeks before the Faculty Board meeting). 

External comments required (External comment should not be from a current or recent External Examiner.  External Examiners are considered recent if it is less than three years since their appointment ended). 

The external should be asked to comment specifically on:

• The alignment of the award and it component parts with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications;

• the appropriateness of the curriculum in relation to national benchmarks and similar provision at other HEIs;

• the appropriateness of the strategy for learning, teaching and assessment.

3

New Courses which meet any of the following criteria:

• are in new curriculum areas (as defined by QAA Subject Benchmarks);

• are in an area which will require significant new staffing resource;

• involve external collaboration;

• require internal validation in order to meet external requirements;

• is a Foundation Degree;

• include non-standard delivery patterns or methods of delivery;

• replace traditional teaching with distance/e-learning.   

A market research report from External Relations may be requested by the department in order to inform the course development. This should be appended to the Part 1 approval proforma.

Part 1: Approval for Publicity, requires the department to make a general case that the proposed course is academically coherent and justify its introduction.  Once Approval for Publicity is granted, the new course may be advertised. 

Part 2 proforma is replaced by approval via a Validation Panel which reports to the Faculty Board.  Guidelines on Validation and documentation requirements are available here.

The Academic Standards and Partnership Office convenes a Validation Panel on behalf of the Faculty Board, at which at least one external expert will be present.