Making changes to courses and modules

All courses and modules are updated annually as part of the ongoing cycle of monitoring and review. Course and module developments can be triggered by a range of activity, such as:

• academic research and expertise, for example in the subject area and new styles of assessment and delivery
• student feedback
• External Examiner reports
• professional body and industry influences
• changes in market demand and student needs

Decisions are made based on the information we publish and share about our courses and modules. So it’s important for current and prospective students to be given accurate and reliable information at the time they’re making their course and module choices.

Training, guidance and timelines

There are key deadlines that departments must meet to ensure both prospective and current students are provided with the information they need to decide which course to apply for and which modules they would like to choose. Changes are considered for implementation at the requested time wherever possible.  However, a late request for a change may lead to a delay in its introduction, particularly where there’s a risk that students who have chosen the course or module may feel the change is not a positive one (for example a late withdrawal of a module).

The Quality and Academic Development team provide training each year – these sessions are advertised via HR Organiser.  Departments are also welcome to contact the team at any time to seek advice (crt@essex.ac.uk or quad@essex.ac.uk).

• Curriculum Update overview (.pdf)
• Consultation and justifications (.pdf)
• Late changes (.pdf)
• Teaching, learning and assessment (.pdf)
• Year-round provision guidance (.pdf)
• Student consultation and notification on course and module changes (.pdf)
• Guidance on consulting with internal stakeholders (.docx)

Course suspension and discontinuation

Departments wishing to temporarily suspend recruitment to a course or to permanently discontinue a course should complete the course discontinuation/suspension form (.docx) and send this to the Quality and Academic Development team.

• Approval to discontinue a course is needed from the Faculty Executive Dean.
• Approval to suspend courses can be granted by the Faculty Dean.

Changes to the rules of assessment

Variations to the University’s rules of assessment for existing courses and modules must be considered by the Rules of Assessment Advisory Group, who will make a recommendation to the Education Committee.  Ultimate approval is granted by the Senate.

• As this process will take slightly longer, departments must make sure proposals are submitted in time for the Spring board so they can be sent to the subsequent meeting of Senate.
• If you are unsure, please contact the Assessment team or the Quality and Academic Development Manager.

Approving changes

The nature and scale of change requested will dictate whether approval is needed and when changes can be introduced.

• Information is available on the most common types of change (.docx) and who is responsible for approval.
• A different approval route may be agreed where a number of changes are combined for one course or module.
• Please contact the Quality and Academic Development team if you’re unsure, and particularly if you’re planning extensive changes to courses and modules, so we can talk over the best way to seek approval.