Programme pause to recruitment and/or closure may arise from either the University or the Faculty/Institute and should follow the procedure stated in the programme pause to recruitment/closure process if there are students studying on the programme.
If the programme is not currently being delivered, a more streamlined version of the closure process may be followed, which is essentially a paper-based exercise and allows the programme to be formally removed from any institutional marketing materials and UCAS.
Key stakeholders consultation period
The consultation period is essential in ensuring that any students on the programme, as well as staff members and other key stakeholders, are fully apprised of the situation by the Faculty/Institute. This formal consultation mitigates against the risk of incorrect information regarding the future of a programme being circulated and also allows all parties to be included in the discussions in a collegiate and supportive manner.
At least one formal exit group meeting should be arranged which includes representation from all the stakeholders listed in the closure process and affected students. Faculty/Institutes may choose to hold this meeting with student representatives rather than a full cohort, dependant on practicalities. The meeting should be chaired by the Director of Faculty/Institute and gives colleagues the opportunity to provide reassurances to students regarding the monitoring and maintenance of their programme's academic standards and quality of the student experience.
Extra exit group meetings may be held with staff and students if required; it is important that all parties feel satisfied that arrangements for the programme's pause to recruitment or closure are robust and considered. It is recommended that separate meetings are held for student consultation to ensure that the discussion focuses on the student experience.
Consideration by the Faculty/Institute Academic Development Committee (F/IADC)
Following the consultation period, the pause to recruitment and programme closure form should be completed in liaison with HR and other required signatories. This form should be considered at the F/IADC together with any relevant appendices.
The decision of the F/IADC should be communicated to all affected staff (including any programmes which have cross-validated modules with the programme under consideration) and students via Programme Boards. The closure form should have all the required signatures present in time for the F/IADC consideration.
The Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee maintains oversight of programme closures and pause to recruitment and outcomes are reported to the Academic Development Committee.
Consideration by the Portfolio Review Committee
The Portfolio Review Committee will receive the approved outcomes and completed paperwork from the F/IADC for consideration of the closure proposal and or pause to recruitment.
Approval from F/IADCs is sufficient to enable the programme to be formally removed from all marketing materials and UCAS. No other marketing materials should be amended until approval has been obtained.
Following consideration by the Portfolio Review Committee, the agreed recommendations to Academic Board is prepared seeking formal Institutional approval.
The minutes from the Portfolio Review Committee, Faculty/Institute Academic Development Committee (F/IADC) will be noted by Academic Board as formal institutional approval.
Institutional approval from Academic Board
Academic Board holds ultimate authority for making academic decisions about the University's portfolio of programmes.
Academic Development sub-Committees report on programme closures and or puase to recruitment outcomes to the Portfolio Review Committee.
The programme closure and or pause to recruitment recommendation, Academic Board report and minutes from the Portfolio Review Committee will be reported to Academic Board for formalised Insitutional approval which can then be communicated to all relevant key stakeholders.