Academic Planning Process 2017-18

CPF Guidelines for Completion APG Approved 14 October 2017

2017-18 Course Planning Form (CPF): Guidelines for completion

The Course Planning Form (CPF) should be completed by the principal contact for thEproposal.

The Quality Administration Officer (QAO) based in School will be able to assist in the completion of the form.

These guidelines include signposting to other services for advice and guidance, as necessary.

For more details on the Academic Planning Process contact the Academic Development Manager (ADM).

Reference Number: This is the reference number assigned by the Academic Development Manager (ADM) for the Academic Planning Group (APG)

Author of Form: Principal contact for the proposal. Where collaborations are involved, the author must be a member of University staff

Full Course Title: The full course title should not exceed 120 characters and School Quality Administration Officers should check whether a new title is part of the regulations and any new prefixes would need to be approved by the Academic Regulations and Compliance Officer.

One CPF may include more than one course where appropriate (for example, suite of courses with common first year; linked PgC/PgD/Masters; group of courses that will be subject to review or reapproval). If a large group of courses are to be reviewed/reapproved, divide these into appropriate smaller groups on this form. Where more than one course is included, list all actual/indicative course titles.

Partner Type ‘Partner(s) Involved’: Partnerships Office will be able to provide information on whether a proposed partner is new to the University. If the proposed partner is new to the University, write NEW at the side of the relevant provider and an Initial Notification Form (INF) must be completed. Partnerships will provide advice and assistance for this.

Partner type ‘Other’: For example, UK public/third sector organisation; armed forces

‘Type of Collaboration’: For example, Franchise, Outreach, and Quality Assurance. Please contact the Quality Enhancement Service for advice on definitions

New Mode of delivery: Face-to-face (standard, on-campus delivery at University or partner institution); Distance Learning (no attendance on campus); Blended Learning (mix of on-campus attendance and distance-learning)

‘Scheme’ – for example, Apprenticeship

Language of delivery if other than English: Specify clearly the language of delivery and assessment. Indicate what initial steps have been taken to identify appropriate staff and external examiners to manage the provision if approved.

2a) Provide an indication of the subject areas that will be included in the course

2b) If on campus, name which site; if off campus, provide details of, partner/provider name and location.

2c) For example, 360 credits, 120 each L4,5,6 (for bachelor’s degree); 60 credits at L7 (for PgC).

2d) If undergraduate course, indicate if single or pathways will be available.

2e) Face-to-face; blended learning, entirely through distance learning; full-time, part-time, fast-track and sandwich. If there are multiple delivery sites, state delivery method and mode(s) of study for each site. If there are multiple course titles (for example, Masters, PgD, PgC; BEng (Hons), BSc (Hons), indicate whether each title will be full-time, part-time or both.

2f) This information is needed for KIS, UCAS, NSS purposes. For some proposals, there may be more modes approved than are recruited to.

2g) State the standard expected duration in years (or months for short courses if appropriate)

2h) For example, MEng, PgD. Do not include the educational aims.

Include any intermediate awards that will be available within the courses proposed (For example, Cert HE, Dip HE, Ordinary for Honours degrees; PgC/PgD for full masters; Certificates of Credit)

2i) If more than one course in proposal, state if staggered starts. ANY PROPOSALS FOR SEPTEMBER STARTS SHOULD COMPLETE APPROVAL THROUGH THE ACADEMIC PLANNING PROCESS BY FEBRUARY OF THE CALENDAR YEAR BEFORE FIRST YEAR OF ENTRY (i.e. by February 2019 for September 2020 entry) Refer to the 2017-18 Timetable for Partner and New Course Approvals for deadlines for inclusion in the 2019 University Prospectus and UCAS. This is available from the ADM or QAOs.

This summary will be used for admissions purposes as a summary of the course

4c) This information will assist in planning the approval (validation) process.

5a) The School Business Plan is available from the Dean of School.

5d) Refer to Appendix 1 for types of work-related experience, if necessary. Include the following for the work-related experience:

o  Compulsory / optional

o  Paid / unpaid

o  Length of work related experience

o  Study / work abroad opportunities

6a) Use the format XX(YY) to indicate Headcount(FTE)

6b) Please make any comments required

A full account of all University resources needed to support the proposal must be included and details of resources required by the Partner should be noted if applicable.

For all proposals, a summary of the findings of any specific market research undertaken must be attached

9c) The Costing Sheet must be completed by the School Finance Business Partner in consultation with Partnerships for new courses at both UK and Overseas Partners. The completed costing sheet should be approved together with the CPF, by the School SMT and Partnerships SMT, if applicable, and then submitted to the ADM for consideration at the Academic Planning Group.

The necessary costing sheet can be provided by the School Finance Business Partner.

Both sections must be completed

Date considered by SMT: The completed CPF (Parts A and B) and Costing Sheet must be considered at SMT and date of meeting recorded

Dean of School: The Dean must sign the CPF to indicate approval of the CPF and costing sheet. In some instances, an approval email from the Dean can be included/ attached to the CPF on submission to the ADM

Director of Partnerships (where appropriate): The School, assisted by Partnerships, is responsible for obtaining the signature of Director of Partnerships to indicate approval of the CPF and costing sheet at SMT. In some instances, an approval email from the Director of Partnerships can be included/ attached to the CPF on submission to the ADM

Pro-Vice Chancellor - Student Experience: The PVC – SE signs the CPF once it has APG approval.

The School, assisted by Partnerships, is responsible for obtaining the signature of Director of Partnerships before submission to the ADM

Proposals need Part B of the CPF completed before consideration at SMT(s) and submission to the ADM for approval at the Academic Planning Group.

Once approved at APG, Part B of the CPF will be detached and forwarded to Admissions and Student and Academic Services by the School


Appendix 1. Types of work-related experience

In order to achieve clarity and consistency in the naming of types of work-related experience, it is suggested that the University adopts the following (adapted from the National Council of Work Experience (www.work-experience.org)):

Part-time work:

Paid work, undertaken either during term time, in the holidays or both for less than 35 hours per week (maximum 20 hours during term time).

Voluntary work:

Any type of work undertaken for no payment.

Academic volunteering:

Work undertaken within the University to enhance the student experience on-course

Sandwich placement

A fixed term period of assessed, paid work, that forms part of a degree.It often lasts for a full year.

Work-based project:

A specific piece of assessed work for a course; undertaken at an employer’s premises or linked to a specific employer.

Short placement:

A period of work experience which can be paid or unpaid and is part of a course of study.This can be arranged through a university, directly with an employer, or by a student, and is for an agreed period of time.

Serial placement:

A period of work experience which can be paid or unpaid and is an integrated part of a course of study relating to experience required for entry into a professional area (e.g. teaching, health). This can be arranged through a university, directly with an employer, or by a student.

Paid internship:

A phrase that is increasingly used and refers to work within an organisation, usually over a number of weeks. Can relate to students or graduates

Work shadowing:

Where a student observes a member of staff working in an organisation, and so gains an understanding of what a particular job entails.

Vacation work:

This could be paid part-time or temporary work for students or full time work for graduates looking to enhance their CVs or improve job prospects.

Note that ‘work’ is subject to National Minimum Wage legislation and that the University has a position on unpaid work: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/Staffordshire%20University%20-%20position%20on%20unpaid%20work_tcm44-41372.pdf).

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