Regulations and benchmarking

It’s important to familiarise yourself with the course and programme approval process and timelines, and to check that you are designing your course or programme in line with external regulations. Please keep in mind that deadlines and processes may vary across schools, and it is best to check directly with your school or department their specific requirements.

Curriculum policy and guidance

Academic Services’ website page, Curriculum, outlines the policy and guidance on programme and course approval and management processes. These include:

• New Courses and Programmes Approval Timescales - PDF (1 page): This visual is helpful to illustrate new course and programme approval timescales (in months), and to help start your planning and preparation in plenty of time to meet the Board of Studies deadlines.
• The Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study (DRPS): This website provides information on the programmes of study offered by The University of Edinburgh and sets out the regulatory framework by which these are governed, together with the regulations and codes that govern the general context of a student’s academic career at the University. The University also recognises regulations in respect of those degrees offered by other institutions and validated by the University, and relevant additional information is provided where appropriate.
• Programme and Course Design Approval and Management - PDF (17 pages): The Programme and Course Approval and Management Policy and accompanying guidance provides information on the approval of new and changes to/closure of existing programmes and courses. It covers the role of School Boards of Studies, College committees and University-level committees, including the approval levels required for different proposals. Practical guidance is provided on Policy requirements such as timescales for approval, issues to address in proposals, student involvement in proposals, and required documentation.
• Framework for Curricula - PDF ( 2 pages): This outline Framework for Curricula provides consistency in the delivery of the University’s Curriculum Framework.
• Accessible and Inclusive Learning - PDF (4 pages): The principles of equality and inclusion are a crucial aspect of developing new curricula, and a good starting point is the University’s accessible and inclusive learning policy. More information about this can be found on the Inclusive and Accessible Learning in the IAD webpage and under the Universal design, accessibility, and inclusion section of this website.  

Another useful set of webpages can be found under Student Systems: Course creation, approval and maintenance (CCAM). Here you will find a set of user guides and reference materials that will help you use the CCAM software to view, create, amend and close courses in EUCLID.

External frameworks

Two important external frameworks to refer to in planning your course or programme are the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework and Subject Benchmark Statements.

1. SCQF Interactive Framework is Scotland’s national qualifications framework, which provides the course and learning requirements for each of the Level Descriptors, from Level 7/8 (Year 1 undergraduate) to Level 11 and 12 (post-graduate).
2. Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)'s Subject Benchmark Statements describe the nature of study and the academic standards expected of graduates in specific subject areas, for example, engineering, chemistry and Biosciences. They show what graduates might reasonably be expected to know, do, and understand at the end of their studies.

Board of Studies Convenor and Administrator Guidance

Board of Studies Terms of Reference (PDF) (2 pages): The Terms of Reference outlines how Boards of Studies operate in the University of Edinburgh.

Minor Changes to Existing Courses

Changes to the following categories are regarded as minor and do not need to be approved by the Board of Studies:

• Course Descriptions
• Transferable Skills
• Reading Lists / Learning resources 
• Delivery Information
• Course Organiser / Course Secretary

Major Changes to Existing Courses

These categories are considered major changes to existing courses and must be approved by the Board of Studies:

• Name of the course 
• Level of the course
• Credit value
• Learning outcomes 
• Balance of assessment types and their weightings
• Home subject area

Training and network

Board of Studies Training: The Board of Studies training is run over two workshops, typically held once each semester, and led by both Institute for Academic Development and Academic Services colleagues.

• The first training workshop, ‘Board of Studies Convener and Administrator training’, is aimed at Board of Studies Conveners and Administrators, and aims to clarify Boards of Studies’ roles and responsibilities, understanding the key internal and external reference points (e.g., relevant university strategic priorities and regulations), considering key factors for approval of new courses and programmes, including business cases, Competition and Markets Authority compliance, and alignment with the Curriculum Transformation Programme. 
• The second workshop, ‘Supporting and enhancing learning and teaching through the Board of Studies’, is relevant for anyone who is interested in learning more about course and programme design in relation to Board of Studies. It aims to explore the following areas:
  • What makes a good course proposal form;
  • How to design effective learning outcomes;
  • Current learning and teaching challenges in Higher Education that the Board of Studies can help to address;
  • Ensuring that the University’s learning and teaching strategies and priorities are considered appropriately at Board of Studies;
  • Discussing what makes a ‘good’ Board of Studies process.
• Board of Studies Network events are held once a semester and are open to anyone with an interest in Board of Studies work. Previous topics for discussion include assessment and feedback, Board of Studies culture, student engagement and embedding EDI into course and programme design.

Useful introductory videos

• An introduction to Board of Studies’ roles and responsibilities (24 mins).

• A comprehensive and useful overview of Board of Studies (41 mins).