CMA: Notifying applicants of curriculum change A practical approach Lucy Merritt Quality and Standards Manager, Engagement and Information University of Brighton ARC APG 17 February 2017

Introduction This session will cover: Ensuring CMA compliance in the context of curriculum change: How we ensure change is timely Establishing thresholds for change Processes for: Capturing change Communicating with applicants

Putting the applicant/student at the heart of our quality processes In the context of CMA this means achieving a balance between change being normal business which helps to secure the standards of our awards and student experience and delivering the experience applicants/student are led to expect from the information they have been provided without hindering change and development to our curriculum CMA has become our stick. KIS

Ensuring change is timely Curriculum approval deadlines brought forward from September: January for UG provision March for UG provision undergoing periodic review/validation Student involvement in curriculum changes Strengthened expectations about how students should be consulted in curriculum change We do not consult with applicants about changes Instead make them aware that change is normal/usual/expected and make sure our processes notify them in a timely fashion

Defining change thresholds Quality and Standards make judgements about whether changes require a communication to applicants based upon defined thresholds: what will impact upon the student experience CMA guidelines (material information) For example: changes to the core structure of a course, change to location etc. require a communication. editorial & minor changes do not need to be communicated changes to optional modules do not warrant a communication and this is reflected in presentation in marketing information and the programme specification. Do not wish to cause unnecessary alarm Student contract reflects this Thresholds are ‘live’ we are building case law to make sure our judgements are applied consistently

Communicating changes to applicants Capturing change consistently Register of changes Communication timeline aligned to curriculum deadlines and admissions deadlines - Jan/March/June Making changes accessible to applicants Use of the applicant portal New page created ‘your course’ Maintained by Q&S Capturing changes No database or CMS just word documents and committee papers so needed a mechanism to keep track of the curriculum RofChange maintained throughout the year

The applicant portal Standard text referring to the programme specification and reassuring language about changes Editable section maintained by Q&S - Q&S update this directly at three points in the year using SITS Applicants receive an email when the site has been updated Enquiries are initially directed to the enquiries team in academic services. If any further details are required they are directed to the course leader

Thank you Any questions?