1. PCAP (Programme Change & Approval Process) David Booth Faculty Head of Quality & Standards (Applied Sciences) June 2015

2. Section 1 of the Academic Quality & Partnerships Handbook (AQPH) http://insight.glos.ac.uk/DEPARTMENTS/REGISTRY/QUALITY/Pages/QualityAssurance Handbook.aspx For the: PCAP form PCAP Guidance notes

3. Changes need to be submitted for consideration at least one clear semester in advance: Changes for Semester 1 and Semester 2 modules or maps need to be submitted for PCAP in July of the preceding academic year. Changes to Semester 3 modules or maps need to be submitted for PCAP in January of the current academic year. If necessary, any items referred from the July meetings will be considered at a meeting to be held in September. In addition, where requested, an exceptional meeting of the Programme Change Approval Panel can be held in early December, for changes to modules which run in semester 2 or 3.

4. In exceptional circumstances Chair’s Action can be taken by the Faculty Head of Quality and Standards to approve changes to course maps or module descriptors outside this standard timetable. Three criteria permitting chair’s action: a change to professional body requirements has been introduced with immediate effect, requiring changes to be made to the course which cannot be addressed within the validated map and module descriptors; a significant problem has arisen as a result of changes to staff availability. Note, however, that the validated course aims and learning outcomes as given in the Programme Specification must continue to be addressed, ensuring that student expectations continue to be met. A simple change of module tutor does not warrant an immediate change to module assessment or learning outcomes; a significant problem which potentially threatens the reliability and validity of the assessment process has arisen in the conduct of assessment completed after the Panel meetings, which cannot be addressed by making adjustment to the content and conduct of the validated assessment diet.

6. Do not use this form for changes which DO NOT need to go through PCAP, or if you wish to: Propose changes to the Study Period; these are driven by the timetabling process, not the PCAP process. Contact the timetabling unit regarding any changes to study period. Indicate if a module is suspended i.e. ‘not running’ in a year’, or if a module is changing semester. The availability of the module will be generated from information recorded in the timetabling system. However, if a module is not to run for a second year, there are probably grounds for it to be permanently deleted. Suspension of module runs should always be discussed and noted at Boards of Studies. Propose changes to indicative resources; these can be made directly via OPAC; Propose minor changes to ‘description’, ‘content’ or ‘delivery’ sections of the module descriptor. Such changes can be made without PCAP approval so long as they do not constitute a change in the academic focus or a change in the Learning Outcomes or Assessment elements of the module. You are advised to consult with the appropriate Faculty Head of Quality & Standards (FHQS) directly or by submitting a request to AS@glos.ac.uk, BEPS@glos.ac.uk or MAT@glos.ac.uk as appropriate. Change a module title - Avoid module title changes wherever possible as this normally requires a change to the code. Contact Malcolm MacLean, Associate Dean of Quality & Standards, mmaclean@glos.ac.uk if this issue arises.AS@glos.ac.ukBEPS@glos.ac.uk MAT@glos.ac.ukmmaclean@glos.ac.uk

7. DATES OF PCAP MEETINGS FOR 2014/2015 and DATES FOR SUBMISSION TO PCAP January: PCAP will sit in the week of 19-23 January 2015 (exact date for each Faculty to be confirmed by FHQS), the deadline for submission of papers is 2 January 2015. July: PCAP will sit in the week of 20-24 July 2015 (exact date for each Faculty to be confirmed by FHQS), the deadline for submission of papers is 26 June 2015.

8. Section A: SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO EXISTING MODULES Submit a module descriptor for each module with changes listed in the tables, must use current Module Descriptor with changes marked-up The descriptor must be based on the current template in the Academic Quality & Partnerships Handbook (AQPH).Academic Quality & Partnerships Handbook (AQPH) Where the current web-based descriptor is on an old format of the template, the submission must be transferred onto the current template and populated with data from current web based descriptor prior to revisions being marked-up. Mark up changes to hours and percentage allocations under Learning & Teaching Activities. (This is new to 2014/15 PCAP and is as a result of the need to monitor data which impacts on KIS statistics).

9. Section B: EVIDENCE OF CONSULTATION ON MODULE CHANGE, DELETION OR ADOPTION Where a course OWNS a module which is adopted by other courses, and that module is to undergo change or deletion: The Author is responsible for consulting with other courses which adopt the module. The owning course must submit evidence that the appropriate consultation has been undertaken with other Courses regarding the changes, including any franchised provision. Where a course is NOT the owner of a module which requires change, either where the module is already adopted or is proposed for adoption but requires change to Pre or Co-requisites or Restrictions: The Author must submit evidence that the appropriate consultation has been undertaken with owning courses regarding the changes and that the owning course approve of the changes. The owning course will need to clearly state that ALL other courses which adopt that module have also been consulted and are happy with the proposed changes.

10. Section C: SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO COURSES AND MAPS ADDITION is the creation of an entirely new module. The assumption is that the proposing course will ‘own’ the new module for future management purposes. DELETION means that a module is entirely removed from the academic system and so will also not be available to other courses. ADOPTION is the ‘borrowing’ of an existing module owned by another course. DE-ADOPTION means this course ceases to ‘borrow’ a module owned by another course. Thus you can only add or delete modules which are owned by this course.

11. Do not delete modules from the map simply because they are suspended (ie not running) in the coming year but are not being permanently removed. Instead the Map should be annotated to say the module is suspended and not running in that semester/year, (see note B). Submit a marked-up copy of the PROPOSED course map, showing additions/deletions/adoptions/de-adoptions, plus any changes required to Level requirements and ‘Notes’ section at the top of the map. The copy of the map must be taken from the web version, using the ‘Download to MS Word’ button on the top right of the screen.

12. Submit a module descriptor for any NEW modules. This must be based on the template available from the AQPH webpage.AQPH webpage. Note that Indicative Resources should be included here, although tutors will subsequently need to enter them on OPAC as a reading list. The wording for Award and for Level requirements on the map should follow the guidelines on the Course Map template available from the AQPH webpage.AQPH webpage. On the map, you ONLY need to indicate additions and deletions to the map and to the notes on Award and Level. You do NOT need to note any specific amendments to the modules themselves, e.g. module title, pre/co-requisites, CAT points. These amendments must all be made on the module descriptor itself, because what appears against a module on the map is automatically ‘driven’ by the module descriptor. If there is any inconsistency in the module information on the map and in the descriptor, the module descriptor will be taken as definitive.

13. Section D: RATIONALE Summarise (in bullets, not prose, and normally no more than half a side): The reason for the change(s) to the map Implications for the Course Group’s / Course’s overall academic coherence (learning outcomes, and teaching, learning and assessment strategy, as given in the Programme Specification) Effects on student choice and flexibility The reason for the change(s) to the individual modules.

14. Section E: SUMMARY OF CHANGES SINCE VALIDATION / REVALIDATION Refer to the web version of the Course Map when it was first validated, or following its revalidation. List here: changes (additions, deletions, adoptions, de-adoptions) to the list of modules on the course map between that date and the map post these proposals. Appending a copy of each course map as changes have been made since the last Validation/PRR. changes to the Level Requirements (ie Compulsory/Core/Option modules). any significant cumulative changes to the overall experience of the course as a result of changes within individual modules. Significant changes would be those resulting, for instance, from a shift in assessment strategy leading to a move towards examinations and away from coursework in several modules.

15. Section F: SUPPORTING EVIDENCE – please ensure this included consultation with any franchised courses. Cut and paste into this form the following: 1. Board of Studies minute(s) where proposal was discussed and agreed Do not include minutes of the entire meeting, just the relevant items. Also include list of those in attendance. 2. If necessary, record of separate discussion with students If students were not in attendance at the Board, include evidence that students have been consulted on any significant changes (in particular, module additions and deletions, or changes to Level requirements): 3. External Examiner consultation on the proposals, and any response from the course to the External Examiner: 4. Evidence of consultation with courses who adopt module(s) proposed for CHANGE or DELETION: 5. Evidence of agreement from the course leader of module(s) proposed for ADOPTION:

16. MARK UP METHOD Do not use track changes. All changes to Module Descriptors, Course Maps and Programme Specifications, should be marked-up using RED STRIKETHROUGH for deletions (in Word go to Format, Font, Strikethrough and ensure you also set the colour to RED) and YELLOW coloured HIGHLIGHTING for new text additions.