Course Change

There are three types of course change (routine, minor, major).

The following guidance should assist you in determining which type of change you are making to your course and which process to follow:

• Which Change? (Making Changes to Your Course)
•  Policy on Changes to Published Material Course Information 2023-24

The general principle is that course changes will apply to the next entering cohort and not for any current students.

There may be exceptional circumstances when course change needs to be made which affects current students and prospective students once the admissions cycle has begun. Read the Policy on Changes to Published Material Course 2023-24 which outlines circumstances where this might apply.

The course change process provides an opportunity in the early part of a newly approved course to correct or make adjustments to a course based on academic reflection, student evaluation or recommendations from an external stakeholder, such as an External Examiner or Professional Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB).

The information on this web page outlines the formal process that assures all stakeholders (University, student, external bodies) that the changes are in the best interests of the students involved in the course, that the course remains a high quality experience and that it remains in line with sector expectations.

The process ensures that, where a change may constitute a significant change to the student experience, the appropriate measures are put in place to conform with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

A major course change should apply to the next entering cohort and not any current students. Adequate time should be allocated to completing the course change process (see attached process flow).

Requests for major changes should be made using the Curriculum Management Tool (CMT).

Proposals are reviewed at a Faculty Scrutiny phase before proceeding for consideration by the University Course Approval Panel. UCAPs must take place at least 6 months before the intake of students to which the change will apply. 

• Minor Change criteria

Minor changes should apply to the next entering cohort.

Minor changes for modules starting in semester/trimester 1 must be completed by 31st January of the academic year proceeding the next cohort intake. 

Minor changes for modules starting in semester/trimester 2 and trimester 3 must be completed by 31st May of the academic year proceeding the next cohort intake.

Minor change proposals should be made using the Curriculum Management Tool (CMT).

These changes are annual updates to the course which are not material change and do not alter the architecture of the module. 

Examples of routine change include: updates to the resource list; indicative module content; staff changes.

Routine changes should be made using the Curriculum Management Tool (CMT).

The Changes to Published Course Information sets out examples of the types of changes that would be considered as material changes and examples of types of changes that would be considered non-material.

It outlines the required process to follow for consultation with students and applicants.

• Policy on Changes to Published Course Information 2023-24

See the Course Calendars page.

This section will be updated shortly with information on the new Assessment Types and Course Development guidance.

The following links may be helpful when making changes and updates to courses.

• Assessment Activity Types
• Learning and Teaching guidance

If you have any queries after reading this guidance, please contact your Faculty Director of Quality