Form 3: Format of Programme Proposal: Rationale and Templates 2007/2008

E-versions of the Proforma for a Programme Proposal, associated Coversheets and Templates are available at:
http://www.hw.ac.uk/registry/acadev-prog.php

A. GUIDANCE NOTES ON TYPE OF PROGRAMME PROPOSAL

Prior to submission to the Studies Committees for consideration, all proposed new programmes must be
approved by the Planning and Management Executive in the first instance and discussed through the Annual
Planning Round process. Proposals should be submitted to the Studies Committees only after development
of the new programme has been endorsed by PME.

1. Proposal Type 1: Full Proposal

A full proposal, as detailed below, is required for a new programme or where modifications involve1
• Adding additional modes of study
• Adding additional locations of study
• Adding a new language of instruction or assessment in cases of “non-languages” programmes
• Involving Approved Learning Partners for the first time
• Involving Collaborative Partners for the first time
• Leading to joint or dual awards for the first time

2. Proposal Type 2: Short-Form Proposal

A short-form proposal will be sufficient, and need only describe the specific changes, where the
modifications relate to:
• new or withdrawn modules or modules across a range of courses where the title/credit-
rating/level/semester/code has been altered (course structures must be provided)
• Changes to the standard entry requirements for the programme (not changes to the qualifications
that meet the standard)
• Changes in programme title

3. Proposal Type 3: Restructuring the Academic Year

Restructuring the Academic Year: Submission of Programme Proposals

• Since all courses will need to be submitted for re-approval as a result of RAY, it is
recommended that, in the interests of efficiency, Schools should submit proposals at the
programme level (see section C2. Standard Process for Approval: Programme Level
Submissions).

• See ‘Format of Course Proposal’ section for documentation required for RAY submissions.

B. PROGRAMME PROPOSAL
This section sets out the information which Schools should provide to the Studies Committees when submitting
new or substantially modified programmes for approval.

Coversheet
Programme Proposal Form (Form 1)

1. Origin of Proposal
The purpose of this section is to allow the programme to be placed in a wider context. It is not intended that
this should exceed half a page and may be a single sentence if a set of courses is being approved as part
of a programme or the programme is largely unchanged due to RAY.

1.1 Historical context, how was the proposal initiated

1.2 Reasons for introduction or modification (perceived market, staffing opportunity etc.)
1.3 Details of market research and future trends.

1
Programme submissions are required in cases where these modifications affect two or more courses within a programme. If it is a single
course, then a Course Proposal submission (Forms 4, 5 & 6) should be used.
 2. Aims and Objectives
The aim of this section is to explain the overall objectives of the programme and how it fits with the School
and University objectives. There should be references to School strategies, forward plans etc. For
programmes that are being revised as part of RAY, this may be a short section and should not normally
exceed 1 page.

2.1 Clear statement of aims and expected learning outcomes

2.2 Compatibility with overall School strategic plans
2.3 Alignment with University’s mission statement and strategy
2.4 Target student numbers
2.5 Target employment sector(s)
2.6 Statement on equal opportunities (race, gender and disability) and identification of related issues.

3. Programme management and general information

The purpose of this section is to explain how the programme is managed. All aspects of management
should be covered including: recruitment of students; curriculum development, monitoring and evaluation;
relationships with Professional and Statutory Bodies; management of academic standards. This section
may be common for all courses in the programme or even across the School as a whole, in which case a
standard section may be appended to the Programme Proposal.

It is likely that this section will not exceed 2 pages for conventional programmes with courses running on
the Home Campus. Where other modes of delivery or locations of study are being proposed for two or more
courses, then this section will be longer and include issues such as the management of quality in partners
(Approved Learning Partners, Collaborative Partners), induction and ongoing support for Approved
Learning Partner staff and monitoring of the progress of off-campus students.

3.1 Recruitment policy and entry qualifications

3.2 Programme management structure including committee(s), industrial or business input
3.3 Accreditation by professional and other bodies
3.4 Proposed publicity methods
3.5 External examiners
3.6 Quality assurance, including Collaborative and Approved Learning Partners, Approved Teachers &
Tutors, managing off-campus students

Requirements for Approved Learning Partners relating to staff competences, facilities etc should be
produced on a separate page so that the information can be included as part of the documentation required
for approval of an Approved Learning Partner.

4. Course Description
The purpose of this section is to ensure that the curriculum of the various courses within the programme is
at present, and likely to remain, current, coherent and complete, and that the programme meets the
University expectations as set out in the RAY Curriculum Structure Guidelines, particularly research-
informed learning and employability & professional career readiness (EPCR) (objectives at 2007). It is likely
that this section will be about 2-4 pages long. Where aspects of the curriculum such as the development of
research-informed learning or the development of EPCR skills are common across the programme or even
across the School as a whole, then they may be prepared as a separate Appendix so that they can be re-
used for other courses.

4.1 Outline of the programme (eg course titles, awards)

4.2 Processes for developing the programme and for ongoing evaluation to ensure that the curriculum of
the various courses within the programme is current, coherent and complete. References to
Benchmark Statements and other external reference points should be included. There should be an
explicit statement of the compliance of the programme, its courses and associated awards with the
credit and level requirements of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
4.3 Activities to ensure effective transition to University for new students
4.4 Approach to the development of research-informed learning skills
4.5 Approach to the development of employment-related skills (inc PDP)
4.6 Consideration of the international dimension to student learning, the curriculum and wider experience

5. Resource Implications and Costing

The purpose of this section is to ensure that the School has the resources and academic, administrative
and managerial expertise to support the programme and deliver the various courses within the programme.
Where this is a conventional programme, with courses delivered at the Home Campus, then this section
may be short. Where several of the courses within the programme are to be delivered by non-conventional
methods or outside the Home Campus, then this section needs to be more substantial.
 5.1 Staffing skills necessary for the delivery of the programme and its associated courses. This is mainly
intended for courses to be delivered outside the Home Campus or by non-traditional methods (e.g.
blended learning)
5.2 Special staff development that will be required to deliver the courses within the programme (e.g.
development of VLE skills)
5.3 Likely involvement of external staff
5.4 Any necessary additional staffing (academic, part-time, support, administrative) and confirmation that
these staff costs are included in forward School budgets
5.5 Operational efficiency (including, where appropriate, service teaching requirements)
5.6 Issues concerning funded numbers, research studentships
5.7 Requirements for, and any limitations arising from restrictions in, physical space, teaching room and
laboratory availability
5.8 Special facilities (e.g. labs - not computers and library) required at any Approved Learning Partner or
Partner where the courses are to be delivered outside the Home Campus.
5.9 Concerns or special issues regarding library and computing facilities
5.10 Fees (including any fee differentials) as at time of submission
5.11 Costing analysis, anticipated net income
5.12 Sources for start-up costs (if first year(s) in deficit)
5.13 Compliance with financial outline in School strategic plan.

6. Any Other Relevant Information

Schools should identify here any additional information that might be relevant.

7. Programme Structure

7.1 A clear outline (with diagrams if helpful) of the programme and courses within it etc.
7.2 The Standard Programme Description template should be included
7.3 The Standard Course Structure/Notes/Description templates should be included for any new or
substantially modified courses (Note: there are different forms for undergraduate and postgraduate
courses)

8. A Summary of the Proposal for Senate

8.1 A one or two paragraph summary of the programme proposal to be forwarded to Senate if proposal is
approved.