Programme and unit development and approval
Policy for Programme Approval (PDF, 193kB)
New Programmes, High-risk changes and programme withdrawals (aPVC decision) - two stage approval of a business case and then an academic case approved by ACCG.
Changes to programmes - if low risk (aPVC decision) - approved at School and Faculty level without the need for a business case.
New units and changes to units - normally approved at School and Faculty level unless the cumulative changes are deemed high-risk.
Annual unit updating – no approval required for changes to description, director, teaching block (including running/not running) and pre- and co-requisites.
Information and guidance
For all programme changes it is suggested that proposers initially contact their aPVC Education & Students.
The Bristol Institute for Learning and Teaching (BILT) work with programme teams in a range of ways to develop and enhance curricula including curriculum festivals, TESTA and Teaching, Learning & Assessment Guides. They can also offer advice on blended teaching, decolonising the curriculum, employability in the curriculum and other curriculum related areas.
The Digital Education Office (DEO) help with using technology to enhance learning, teaching and assessment
Other Sources of information
- Regulations and Code of Practice, including Principles for Assessment and Feedback
- Principles for Distance Learning (Office document, 24kB)
- Levels of Study
- Bristol Skills Profile
- Contact hours
- Intercalating Programmes
- Interdisciplinary units and programmes
- Open units
- Intended Learning Outcomes
- Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs)
- External Quality Assurance
- Education for Sustainable Development
Guidance
- For aPVCs and Academic Directors
- For Committees
- Consumer Protection Legislation
- Educational Partnerships
- Joint Honours Programmes
- English Language Profiles (Office document, 13kB)
- Reasonable adjustments for teaching, learning and assessment
- Designing Optional Unit Lists
Curriculum Review and Development (CRD):
Schools may undertake CRD outside of the regular cycle of the quality assurance framework. It may be triggered for a variety of reasons, including:
- a school wishing to develop its curricula
- an outcome from a PSRB visit or a change to PSRB requirements.
- a recommendation due to significant change within the discipline itself, approved by the Faculty or the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education. An example of this kind of trigger might be significant change to a relevant curriculum benchmark statement.
- a concern raised by the Faculty, through the Dean or Faculty Education Director
The purpose of CRD would be to renew or rejuvenate a large proportion of the content of a programme or group of programmes (outside the normal annual programme review process).
Contact
Please email approval-help@bristol.ac.uk for help with any aspect of the programme and unit approval process.