Course and Programme Approval
Consultation Requirements for Course Amendments
Schools have the authority to approve all course changes without the need for College approval. Previously consultations with students/applicants and external academics were mandatory except in the case of simple corrections. This position has been reviewed and it has been agreed that there should be no blanket requirement for consultations. Rather, the significance of the proposed changes should be considered: where the proposal represents major change, consultations should be carried out. It is important to note that consultations are a critical part of the approval process as they provide the opportunity for independent review of the proposal. External academic consultation provides a crucial element of objectivity in helping the University to maintain academic standards at the appropriate level. In addition, consultation with students is an important aspect of informing them of likely changes to provision, which not only contributes positively to student experience but ensures that the University complies with its obligations under Consumer Protection legislation. The proposer’s decision on whether to conduct consultations must therefore be considered carefully. Proposers should be aware that, in scrutinising a proposed course change, the School may judge that the changes are so significant that consultations are required. An early discussion with School approval committees may therefore be advisable.
The table indicates when consultations with an External Examiner and students are required on the proposal for course amendments, based on the changes being categorised as major or minor.
Any proposal containing one major change must go to consultation with both students and External Examiners, EXCEPT where each major change:
1) aligns with School, College or University-mandated changes; or
2) involved prior consultation with students; or
3) involved students in their design; or
4) resulted from student feedback.
NOTE: Major changes typically require, or are accompanied by, multiple changes to other parts of a proposal, so all revised sections (including changes that would individually be 'minor') should be included in any consultation to ensure and maintain overall high quality of the proposal.
| No. | Field |
Major Change |
Minor Change |
| 2, 25 | Course title/short title | - | Any |
| 6 | Short description | - | Any |
| 7, 8, 9 | Requirements of entry/co-requisites/excluded courses | Any | - |
| 12 | Typically offered | - | Any |
| 14 | Course aims | - | Any |
| 15 | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) | Any removal, addition or substantive change | Any minor rephrasing for clarity or consistency |
| 16 | Learning & Teaching Methods | - | Any |
| 17 | Minimum requirement for the award of credit | Any introduction of requirements additional to the standard rules for the award of credit | Any removal of requirements additional to the standard rule for the award of credit |
| 18 | Summative assessment methods | Any introduction or removal of an assessment method(s), or any change in weighting greater than 20% magnitude | Any change in weighting less than and equal to 20% magnitude |
| 19 | Description of summative assessment methods | - |
Any |
| 20 | Availability of reassessment | Any change which results in more than 25% of assessment being non-reassessable (permission from the Clerk of Senate also required) | Any change where the totel of assessment which is non-reassessable is less than and equal to 25% |
| 21 | Formative assessment & feedback | Any reduction in formative assessment | Any change other than reduction |
| 22 | Grading basis | Any | - |
| 24 | Exam duration | - | Any |
| 28 | Location | Any | - |
| 32, 33 | Collaborative/other teaching institutions | Consult Academic Collaborations in Academic Policy & Governance. | Consult Academic Collaborations in Academic Policy & Governance |
| 34 | Taught wholly by distance learning | Any | - |
* Consultation on the final proposal is NOT required with both students and External Examiner when major changes align with School, College or University-mandated changes, involved prior consultation with students, involved students in their design, or resulted from student feedback.
Please note that Learning & Teaching Administrator/School Office in other Schools whose students may take the course should be alerted.