TEMPLATE FOR

BRIEFING AND RESOURCES DOCUMENT

ALL SECTIONS MUST BE COMPLETED OR STATE NOT APPLICABLE

Please refer to 4A – Programme Approval, Review and Closure: Policy and Procedure

Faculty

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Partner (if applicable) / Click here to enter text. /
Department / Click here to enter text. /
Framework (if applicable) / Click here to enter text. /

New programme(s) titles for approval

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Existing programme(s) titles for review / Click here to enter text. /
Document date (month / year) / Click here to enter a date. /
APPROVED FOR PRESENTATION TO THE EXTERNAL PANEL MEETING
Signed on behalf of the Faculty by the Deputy Dean Education and Professional Practice or the Head of Department
Signature (electronic):
Position:
Date:

1.OVERVIEW

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2.INTERNAL FRAMES OF REFERENCE

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3.EXTERNAL FRAMES OF REFERENCE

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4.MARKET RESEARCH

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5.ELIGIBILITY FOR PG LOAN FUNDING (PG PROGRAMMES ONLY)

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  1. PROFESSIONAL, STATUTORY OR REGULATORY BODY (PSRBs)
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7.KEY STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

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8.TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS
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9.STUDENT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
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10.STAFF ACADEMIC PROFILES OR CVs
The BU academic staff profiles or CVs for the programme team are included as an appendix.
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Table mapping CVs of the programme team to units
Unit name / Level / Unit leader
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11.STAFF DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PROGRAMME TEAM

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  1. PROPOSED ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS
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  1. LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT PROFILE
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Estimated Learning & Teaching Profile / Estimated Assessment Profile
Contact hours / Placement / Self-managed learning (SML) / Written / Exam / Practical
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
14.STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND ATTAINMENT DATA
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15.GRADUATE DESTINATIONS
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16.MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS (if applicable)
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17.INDICATIVE SEQUENCE OF UNITS FOR POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES WITH MORE THAN ONE INTAKE PER YEAR (if applicable)
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18.INDICATIVE SEQUENCE OF UNITS FOR PART-TIME PROGRAMMES (if applicable)
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19.LINKS WITH EXISTING PROGRAMMES AND COMMON UNITS (if applicable)

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  1. CLOSING PROGRAMMES (if applicable)
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21.TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR CURRENT STUDENTS INCLUDING CONSIDERATION OF THE CONSUMER LAW REQUIREMENTS(more information can be found here)
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  1. Changes that apply to APPLICANTS AND POTENTIAL APPLICANTS
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  1. PROGRESSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR FOUNDATION DEGREES / LEVEL 6 TOP-UPS / HIGHER NATIONAL AWARDS (if applicable)
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24.RECOGNITION ARRANGEMENTS (if applicable)

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25.ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS (if applicable)

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RESOURCES
This section iscompletedalongside the key programme information in the Programme Specification. It helps inform the panel whether the programme(s) will be appropriately resourced and staffed for effective delivery and will offer a positive student experience.
The development team leader completes the information below in liaison with the Director of Operations.
It is important for the team to have liaised with the Faculty Librarian in Library and Learning Support (LLS) and, where appropriate, Estates and IT regarding the impact of the programme(s) on central facilities, such as library or teaching and learning space.
For programmes involving Partners, teams should also contact the Service Development Manager in LLS for advice.
  1. COURSE COSTING (FOR THE PURPOSE OF FACULTY APPROVAL)
Please remove this box and the appendix following Faculty sign off.
Include a copy of the approvedfinal Course Costing form as agreed by the Faculty’s Director of Operations and Faculty Executive as an appendix. This must be provided for both programme approvals and reviews.
This provides confirmation that the Director of Operations has considered the course costing, financial viability and resource requirements for the programme(s) and Faculty Exec sign off has been obtained.
  1. PROJECTED STUDENT NUMBERS
Please work with the Faculty’s Director of Operations to complete this section.
NB each programme is expected to recruit a minimum of 15 students per cohort.
Expected student numbers per cohort for the first three years.
Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3
September / January / September / January / September / January
Level 4
Level 5
Level P
Level 6
Level 7

28.STAFFING REQUIRED TO DELIVER AND SUPPORT THE PROGRAMME(S)

Estimated number of staff (FTE) required to deliver and support the programme(s) including specialist options, work-based learning and requirements for part-time hourly paid staff and lecturer practitioners.
Guidance for completion
Academic staff
Demonstrator/Technical staff
Academic administration staff
Other staff
If new/additional members of staff are required confirmation that this has been considered through the internal Course Costing process or state ‘not applicable’
For Partners outline of the academic input required from the lead Faculty, including Link Tutor arrangements.
  1. LIBRARY AND LEARNING SUPPORT (LLS)
Please work with the Faculty Librarian and Learning Technologist to complete this section.
Provide details of:
  • library and computing facilities;
  • learning resources and budgets;
  • advice and skills development;
  • Peer Assisted Learning (PAL);
  • Language Support;
  • Learning Technologist support/ support for Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL);
  • use of the BU Aspire online reading list tool.

30.PHYSICAL AND ONLINE RESOURCES
Please work with the Faculty’s Director of Operations to complete this section.
Provide details of:
  • subject specialist equipment;
  • IT hardware and/or software and any licences;
  • lab equipment;
  • anyother specific resource requirements.
State whether any additional resources need to be acquired, including IT and specialist equipment and other planned purchases.
Confirm commitment to new equipment and projected renewal plans.
For online learning programme(s) detail any dedicated staff time or other resources required before the programme can commence to develop online learning materials. If new/additional resources are required confirmation that this has been considered through the internal Course Costing process.
Estimated extent of support required from other Professional Services (or Partner equivalent).
31.SPACE REQUIREMENTSPlease work with the Faculty’s Director of Operations to complete this section.
State the extent and availability of teaching accommodation including any specialist learning space.
State whether any additional resources need to be acquired, e.g. teaching/lab/studio/independent study space.
For programmes delivered at a Partner (if applicable):
Extent and availability of general and teaching accommodation and other facilities such open access facilities, learning support and library facilities including dedicated HE study areas.
State whether any additional resources need to be acquired, e.g. teaching/lab/studio/ independent study space.
  1. OTHER ADDITIONAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAMME(S)(if applicable):

State any other additional costs.
33.FOR CROSS FACULTY PROGRAMMES ONLY (delete this section if not applicable)To be completed by the development leader from the lead Faculty. The purpose of this is to ensure awareness, availability and adequacy of sustainable resources from all collaborating Faculties for the programme(s) under consideration.
Programmes requiring resource from Faculties other than the lead Faculty.
Units requiring resource from Faculties other than the lead Faculty.
Type and extent of resource required(give as much detail as required to inform decision, e.g. amount and number of staff time required, specify staff names if appropriate).
To be completed by the collaborating FacultyI confirm that the resource requirements have been analysed by the collaborating Faculty.
Director of Operationsof collaborating Faculty: / Signature:
Date:Click here to enter a date.
Executive Dean of collaborating Faculty: / Signature:
Date:Click here to enter a date.
RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS CONFIRMATION AND SIGNATURES(electronic)
Electronic signatures confirm that the resource requirements have been analysed by the Faculty (and collaborating Faculty where applicable).
Where appropriate, the requirements have been agreed in consultation with LLS (and/or Partner equivalent) and Estates and IT (where applicable) (and/or Partner equivalent) and the necessary resources have been agreed and will be made available for this programme(s).
The corresponding Course Costing form has been approved by Faculty Executive and by the Director of Operations and will be reviewed as part of Faculty approval of the programme(s).
For Partners on the Franchise model: resource requirements and availability have been discussed and agreed with the Academic Quality Manager, Faculty Link Tutor and Deputy Dean Education and Professional Practice (or equivalent) as appropriate.
Faculty Librarian / Signature:
Date:
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Director of Operationsof lead Faculty: / Signature:
Date:
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Head of Departmentin lead Faculty: / Signature:
Date:
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Executive Dean of lead Faculty: / Signature:
Date:
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For Partner programmes only(delete if not applicable)
Partner HE Manager (or equivalent) / Signature:
Date:
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Partner Principal (or equivalent) / Signature:
Date:
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Guidance on suggested appendices

Appendices to the Briefing and Resources document may be added at the discretion of the programme development team, however as a minimum these would normally include:

  • The completed Faculty Executive sign-off and actions template (completed at the Faculty Executive consideration stage of the programme approval/review process);
  • The Programme Development Proposal form considered by Faculty Executive and Academic Standards Committee (if a new programme development – this will not exist for programmes undergoing periodic review without any changes to programme title);
  • The completed sign off and action plan following Faculty approval;
  • Updated Course Costing form following initial consideration by Faculty Executive – this should be presented as part of the Briefing and Resources document as part of Faculty approvalbut must be removed before the document is submitted for circulation to the external panel. The course costing form is required for both programme approvals and reviews.
  • The BU academic staff profiles or CVs for the programme team;
  • for periodic reviews - key aspects of the latest Annual Monitoring and Enhancement Review (AMER) (normally thethe programme action plan, department summary, external examiner(s) report)

Briefing and Resources document1

GUIDANCE NOTES FOR COMPLETION

1)OVERVIEW

Please provide:

  • an introduction and overview for the External Panel to the programmes being presented for approval/review in the context of the University and Faculty’s current portfolio of programmes;
  • background information about the Faculty (and Partner where appropriate) which may be presented in the form of a Faculty/Partner profile;
  • outline the rationale, aims and outcomes for the programme(s) (the ‘Aims of the Programme’ section in the Programme Specification presents the overall aims of the programme(s), focusing on key knowledge, understanding and skills and teams may wish to use or adapt this for use in this section of the Briefing and Resources document, in order to avoid duplication of effort);
  • outline key features including any unique selling points, programme specific facilities, practical sessions and/or fieldwork students will participate in, the nature of placement opportunities and career opportunities;
  • for reviews, include an evaluation of the above and a summary of the key changes being proposed, including any changes to programme and/or level outcomes;
  • for new programme approvals, include any additional information which can be used for the Course Search entry and for other external marketing communications;
  • where applicable, include a copy of the Programme Development form together with the relevant extract of the ASC minutes as an appendix.

Return to section 1

2)INTERNAL FRAMES OF REFERENCE

With reference to BU2025, the Faculty’s Delivery Plan (Partners should also refer to their own delivery/strategic plans) and other current strategic priorities provide a summary of how areas of strategic importance in curriculum design, as outlined in 2B – Programme Structure and Curriculum Design Characteristics: Procedurehave been incorporated into the proposal.

Return to section 2

3)EXTERNAL FRAMES OF REFERENCE

Provide a summary of how the programme(s) have been developed or reviewed to align with key external frames of reference including:

  • The UK Quality Code for Higher Educationincluding:
  • Qualifications Frameworks (incorporating the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) (FHEQ);
  • Characteristics Statements (Foundations Degrees, Master’s Degrees, Doctoral Degrees)
  • Credit Frameworks;
  • Subject Benchmark Statements;
  • National occupational standards
  • Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements
  • The Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards: (particularly for foundation degrees and Higher National awards)
  • Degree apprenticeship standards
  • Degree Apprenticeship Standards and End Point Assessments (EPAs), published by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Return to section 3

4)MARKET RESEARCH

Market research will have been considered by the Faculty Executive earlier in the development of new programme(s) but for the benefit of Faculty approval and for the External Panel, please indicate the market research undertaken and the outcomes from this research, including competitor analysis and potential student demand. Include an analysis of the input and output markets for the programme(s) and an indication of the ways in which the market analysis has influenced the programme design. You may wish to append the information already submitted to Faculty Exec.

Return to section 4

5)ELIGIBILITY FOR PG LOAN FUNDING (PG PROGRAMMES ONLY)

Is the programme eligible for PG loan funding?

The actual eligibility criteria is as follows:

  • FT programmes must be 1 or 2 years full time.
  • PT programmes where there is an FT programme also available, must be at most 50% of the FT study intensity (i.e. it cannot be done faster than half the pace of the FT programme)
  • PT programmes for which there is no FT programme may be up to 3 years in duration.

Return to section 5

6)PROFESSIONAL, STATUTORY OR REGULATORY BODY (PSRBs)

If appropriate, indicate which Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body (PSRBs) the programme(s) align with, or any other relevant professional accreditations or exemptions.

Outline how the programmes(s) have been aligned with PSRB requirements and the process for approval/accreditation. You must also highlight any risks or issues that should be highlighted to students, for example subscription or examination fees, arrangements on termination of the accreditation or rights of the PSRB to change its requirements for accreditation that may need consequential changes to our programme.

If PSRB approval/accreditation is anticipated in the future, a statement to outline indicative timescales and process should be provided. It is the Faculty’s responsibility to ensure that the University, through Academic Quality, is informed of any PSRB links to programmes.

If there are no PSRB links and none are anticipated, a statement confirming this should be included.

Return to section 6

7)KEY STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

Indicate how the following stakeholders have been involved with the development:

  • students;
  • external examiners;
  • industry and employers;
  • placement/work-based learning providers.

Return to section 7

8)TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS

Provide an overview and/or review of the teaching, learning and assessment methods to support the overarching assessment strategy including pedagogic approaches to learning and teaching.

Outline how the unit assessments have been developed to enable students to experience a range of assessment methods. This will provide the External Panel with more detail on the variety of assessment methods than is available in the Programme and Unit Specifications.

Explain how students with individual learning needs will be taken into account. When designing assessments, development teams should consider where there is flexibility to make adjustments as and when required, with reference to the Equality Act 2010: Technical Guidance Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) (Further and Higher Education section).

Return to section 8

9)STUDENT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Provide an overview and/or review of the:

  • student educational experience, including innovation and good practice and plans for enhancement;
  • mode of delivery (e.g. online/blended/work-based);
  • use of myBU and technology enhanced learning;
  • placement opportunities;
  • student support and guidance from induction to graduate e.g. academic, pastoral, careers;
  • non-academic requirements for programmes which do not fit with the standard BU academic calendar e.g. postgraduate programmes which run over a full calendar year. In such cases services such as accommodation, buses, catering, sport and other facilities important to the student experience should be considered and discussed with Student Services where appropriate.

Faculties are asked to inform BU Residential Services () of new programmes and the target / confirmed numbers as soon as possible for programmes which offer additional start dates, e.g. January intakes, or programmes that differ in length from the traditional academic year.