Quality Handbook Supplement 5K - Course approval and course operational change deadlines

2.5 Please note that these colleagues must be included in the original email request. Requests will be considered on an ad-hoc basis.

2.6Exception requests must demonstrate that the School has considered the impact of the late change on: applicants and offer holders, current students (where relevant), published course information, professional arrangements (where relevant) and PSRB requirements (where applicable).

2.7The School must  provide evidence that it can effectively implement and communicate the proposed change.. This must include consideration of:

1. whether material information has been changed and whether there is therefore a need for published information to be updated;
2. how stakeholders in 2.6 (above) will be informed;
3. whether the proposed timeline allows adequate time for timetabling and course build to take place.

Further information

• Where there is uncertainty regarding whether a proposed change affects material information, Schools should seek advice from their School Marketing Manager before approval is sought.

2.8 Grounds for exception will fall into one of six criteria:

1. An immediate change required by a Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRB);
2. An immediate change required by an employer or partner institution;
3. An urgent response to institutional priorities or strategic initiatives;
4. Publication of an updated apprenticeship standard which requires change in the next application cycle;
5. A response to immediate local competitor threat
6. correction of an error or omission identified following approval, including where an approved change was not fully reflected across all relevant courses or modules.

2.9 Approval of an exception does not remove the responsibility of the School to implement the approved change. Following approval of an exception, Schools must ensure that any required communications, updates to published information and operational actions are completed within the agreed timescales.

2.10 Where an exception to the standard post-approval lead time has been granted, the confirmation email will specify the month by which the course must be approved. This deadline refers to the meeting date of the relevant Course Approval Sub-Committee rather than the end of that month.

2.11 The course will only be added to the agenda of a Course Approval Sub-Committee meeting once confirmation of course exception has been received and evidence of PVC Education approval is uploaded to the Proposal on CourseLoop.

2.12 To ensure that most of NTU’s portfolio follows the new deadlines, exception applications will undergo rigorous scrutiny, requiring a robust and fully justified rationale. Colleagues must carefully consider their eligibility for an exception before applying.

2.13 Although micro-credentials are SASQC-approved modules added to an already-approved Executive Education PGT framework, and are therefore not subject to standard course development timelines, there may still be operational implications for Marketing and Registry. Helen Randle and Victoria Fanning should therefore be informed of developments at the earliest opportunity to support appropriate planning and implementation.

3.1 Course operational changes (previously referred to as ‘course governance changes’) refer to course suspensions, discontinuations, start date additions, course reinstatements, and start date alterations.

Course suspensions and discontinuations

3.2 For September entry, suspensions and discontinuations must be approved by the School Executive Team by the end of February prior to the September intake.

3.3 Suspension and discontinuations of January start courses and non-standard start dates must be approved by the School Executive Team at least six months in advance of the intake.

Further information

• There may be instances where particular partnership agreements require a longer lead time. If there is a Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) / Kaplan International College London (KICL) progression route in place for the course, the School Executive Team must consult with the International Development Office (IDO) before any decisions are made.

3.4 Course operational changes outside of the deadlines will need UET approval.

3.5 In order to request an exception to the suspension or discontinuation deadline, Executive Deans must consult with Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost, Sarah Speight, before directly emailing Steve Denton, Chief Operating Officer and Registrar with:

1. current applications, offers and acceptance trends
2. target and forecast
3. the rationale for suspending or discontinuing the course
4. the alternative offer course

3.6 Suspension and discontinuation exception requests for courses delivered at NTU's Mansfield Hub must first receive approval from the Mansfield Portfolio Oversight Board before being submitted for UET approval.

Start date additions, start date alterations and course reinstatements

3.7 Start date additions, start date alterations and course reinstatements must be approved 12 months prior to the first intake.

3.8 Course operational changes outside of the deadlines will need UET approval.

3.9 In order to request an exception to proceed with a start date addition, start date alteration or course reinstatement outside of the deadline Executive Deans or Deputy Deans must directly email Jane McNeil, PVC Education, with:

1. the course title,
2. proposed start date,
3. proposed start date alteration or proposed start date addition, and
4. confirmation that named contacts in the key professional service teams have endorsed the proposal (names below).

3.10 Please note that these colleagues must be included in the original email request. Requests will be considered on an ad-hoc basis.

3.11 Course operational change exception requests for courses delivered at NTU's Mansfield Hub must first receive approval from the Mansfield Portfolio Oversight Board before being submitted for UET approval.

3.12 The School will need to provide evidence that they have investigated and can mitigate the impact of requesting late course operational changes. This must include consideration of whether the operational change could pose a risk to CMA compliance and whether the proposed timeline allows adequate time for communicating the outcome to applicants and offer holders.

3.13 Grounds for exception for a start date addition, start date alteration, or course reinstatement will fall into one of four criteria:

1. An immediate change required by a Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRB);
2. An immediate change required by an employer or partner institution;
3. An urgent response to institutional priorities or strategic initiatives;
4. A response to immediate local competitor threat.

3.14 To ensure that most of NTU’s portfolio follows the new deadlines, exception applications will undergo rigorous scrutiny, requiring a robust and fully justified rationale. Colleagues must carefully consider their eligibility for an exception before applying.