Course and Programme Approval
Programme Withdrawal Consultations
The Withdrawal Consultation Proforma should be used to record the details of any consultation undertaken, and how any comments were responded to. The completed consultation proforma must be uploaded to PIP.
With applicants or enrolled students
Withdrawing a programme with applicants or enrolled students is not permitted except in exceptional circumstances. You must contact Academic Policy & Governance prior to withdrawal to ensure that the University’s contractual obligations to the materially affected students or applicants are met. This will involve liaison with External Relations and collaboration and consultation with the affected students or applicants.
Future session, no applicants or enrolled students
Student Consultation
If withdrawing a programme with no applicants or enrolled students for a future academic session, then no student consultation is required for withdrawal.
Additional Considerations
A plan for teaching-out the programme for currently enrolled students or current applicants must be produced and monitored by the owning Schools and Colleges and communicated to the affected cohort. If this plan differs from the usual structure of the programme, student consultation is required.
Student consultation may include direct consultation with students via surveys and focus groups. Consultation may also include the use of feedback gathered over the duration of a programme or course, or results from broader surveys such as NSS.
Where a proportionate and targeted attempt to obtain student consultation (such as a targeted survey) is carried out in good faith, then there is no minimal level of returns required to proceed with withdrawal. The lack of returns should be noted when submitting the proposal for programme withdrawal.
Schools, Colleges, and Academic Policy & Governance may request proposers carry out additional consultation if the initial engagement with students is not deemed proportionate.
In all cases, the student body must be informed of changes to the curriculum, including the withdrawal of programmes and courses.
External Consultations
External consultation may include consultation with external examiners, accrediting bodies, and industry or commercial partners.
Schools, Colleges, and Academic Policy & Governance may request proposers carry out additional consultation with external experts in addition to the requirements listed below.
External Examiners
External Examiner consultation is not required for programme withdrawal. When developing a teaching-out plan, external examiner consultation is required if the plan differs from the usual programme structure.
External Accreditors
If a professional or accredited programme is to be withdrawn for strategic reasons only (such as financial viability, low student numbers, or a required facility no longer being available) then there is no University requirement to consult with the accrediting body.
However, individual accrediting body may have their own requirements around consultation. This may include notification of intent to withdraw a programme, consultation on the withdrawal, and notification that the programme withdrawal has been completed. Where such guidance exists, it must be complied with.
If a professional or accredited programme is considered for withdrawal due to change to accreditation standards only (there is no strategic reason to withdraw), then the accrediting body should be consulted to assess if the programme can be amended rather than withdrawn.
Other External Organisations
If a programme is directly connected to an external organisation, then external consultation with that organisation must take place prior to withdrawal.
Examples include:
- Programmes that relate to a pathway from Glasgow International College
- Programmes with operational connections to industry partners
Note that withdrawing programmes connected to external organisations (including GIC) may require a longer lead time due to timing of student recruitment.
If a programme is managed or overseen by the University of Glasgow Collaborations team, then consultation with the external collaborator and the Collaborations team is required.
Legislative Changes
If a programme is considered for withdrawal due to a change in legislation only (there is no strategic reason to withdraw), then external consultation with the relevant bodies should be obtained to assess if the programme can be amended rather than withdrawn.
Illustrative Examples
Example 1
The fictional programme MA Applied Philosophy is considered for withdrawal for future cohorts. It is being considered for a strategic reason (no longer financially viable). The programme has no ties to any external organisations. No consultations are required to withdraw this programme. The existing student body should be informed of the curriculum change with teaching-out arrangements organised for any affected students.
Example 2
The fictional programme BSc Quantum Economics is an accredited degree with strong connections to an industrial partner. It is strategically viable but is being considered for withdrawal due to a change in accreditor requirements. External accreditor consultation is required initially to determine if the programme can be suitably amended. If the programme cannot be amended and is to be withdrawn, then external organisation consultation is required with the industrial partner. Further consultation with the accreditor is only required if the accreditor has specific guidance on notifications and consultations for withdrawals. The existing student body should be informed of the curriculum change with teaching-out arrangements organised for affected students.
Example 3
The fictional programme BA International Collaborations is being considered for withdrawal as the only viable laboratory space has been severely damaged and so key components of the programme are no longer deliverable. The government has also introduced a legislative change that would make the delivery of the programme incredibly difficult. As the programme is not strategically viable, no consultation is required to withdraw the programme. However, the reason for the withdrawal (lack of facilities, legislative change) could impact the viability of a teaching-out plan. The programme coordinators should coordinate with the School, College, and APG directly to ensure that suitable teaching-out arrangements are in place. The development of these arrangements may require student consultation and collaboration and external examiner consultation.