Guidance for Faculty aPVC Education and Academic Directors

The Faculty a-PVC Education, along with the Faculty Operations Manager, Head of Finance (Faculties), and Faculty Dean, are asked to approve business cases at the Faculty level. Business cases are then considered by the Business Case Approval Board. 

Faculty a-PVCs Education are empowered to make decisions about whether or not changes to an existing programme require University-level approval (high-risk), and subsequently to make changes to the approval workflow if they see fit.  Faculty a-PVC Education may, having reviewed proposals, direct the AQPO to change the status of a proposal (from needing university level approval to needing faculty approval only, or vice versa).  Further information about the definition of changes and assessment of risk can be found in the Guidance for proposers section.

For proposals that require faculty-level approval (low risk new programmes and units, programme and unit changes) the Faculty a-PVC Education or relevant Academic Director confirms proposals are complete, have received due scrutiny, and that in the view of the faculty, are academically sound. Where relevant (e.g. reporting new low-risk programmes)  the faculty confirms the proposal is appropriate to report to the Academic Case Confirmation Group and University Education Committee. There is further information in the Guidance for Committee approval of new degree programmes and major changes section.

Faculty a-PVCs Education have the discretion to require external references and student consultation information on a change that only requires faculty level approval.

If you have any questions or concerns, or require advice, please contact Sophie Billings by emailing approval-help@bristol.ac.uk