1. To consider proposals from departments for the establishment and modification of programmes for taught graduate degrees.
2. To consider proposals from departments for the establishment and modification of component courses to be offered to taught graduate students in the School within degree programmes.
3. In exceptional circumstances, to consider proposals from institutes for the establishment and modification of programmes and courses for taught graduate degrees. Institutes may be permitted to administer cross-disciplinary degree programmes, but all courses must be approved through the appropriate departmental procedures, be allocated a department course code and be subject to department review and oversight.
4. To consider requests for the withdrawal and suspension of taught graduate programmes drawing on the advice of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee (ASC) as necessary.*
5. To consider requests for the withdrawal or suspension of taught graduate courses.*
6. To approve proposals as in (1) and (2) above, subject to:
i. the approval of the Academic Planning and Resources Committee (APRC) as regards to requirements for additional resources;
ii. the approval of Timetables, Library and IMT as regards to logistical and resource requirements;
iii. the approval of the Graduate School Board of Examiners as regards to consideration of progression, local rules and the classification of awards;
iv. the approval of the Research Degrees Sub Committee (RDSC) as regards to programme or course proposals impacting on progression from a taught graduate programme to a PhD;
v. the approval of other School officers as regards to logistical and resource requirements, including but not limited to Graduate Admissions, Student Recruitment and the Student Services Centre where deemed necessary by the sub-committee;
vi. the advice of the Teaching Quality Assurance and Review Office, the Academic and Professional Development division and Learning Technology and Innovation where deemed necessary by the sub-Committee;
vii. the advice of the ASC on programme degree proposals where deemed necessary by the sub-Committee.
7. To consider proposals as in (1 – 5) above, when proposed within the agreed School timelines for the establishment of and modification to taught provision. To consider proposals submitted outside of the agreed School timelines only in truly exceptional circumstances. To recommend deferral of the proposed changes to a later academic session when deemed necessary.
8. To consider proposals as in (1 – 5) above, subject to due consideration of national legislative, regulatory and statutory frameworks (for example HEFCE’s quality assurance operating model, QAA’s Quality Code, or Competition and Markets Authority guidance) and the impact on material information detailed in offers made to students during an active admissions cycle and/or to material information already provided to registered students. Material course and programme information includes programme title, entry requirements, provision of core courses and likely optional courses, programme length, programme award, accreditation, contact hours, and overall assessment methods.
9. To consider proposals as in (1 – 6) above, subject to due consideration of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, including the legal right to teaching that does not discriminate against students on the grounds of the nine ‘protected characteristics’ enshrined in the Equality Act (2010). To consider proposals in the context of developments in School policy and best practice in relation to diverse, accessible and inclusive curriculum, modes of teaching and forms of assessment.
10. To consider requests from departments for oversize graduate seminars and workshops (i.e. where the total number of students in any group exceeds 15).*
11. To keep the ASC informed of any potential changes to regulations relating to taught graduate degrees, as might be necessary
12. To contribute to discussions on policy and regulation changes as required by the ASC and any other committee.
13. To consider requests from departments and institutes for PhD students to be appointed as Graduate Teaching Assistants on taught graduate courses.*
14. To approve the appointment of new and re-appointment of existing External Examiners for Graduate courses/programmes in line with School criteria, drawing on the advice of the ASC where deemed necessary by the Sub-Committee.
15. To prepare a report for the ASC which summarises the reports of external examiners at the taught graduate level each session.
16. To consider for approval individual student requests for the suspension of taught graduate programme regulations, programme transfers, deferrals, late course changes and timetable clashes.*
17. To consider requests from departments and institutes to waive the School policy of double marking on taught graduate courses.*
18. To act as panel members on Assessment Misconduct Panels as detailed in the Regulations on Assessment Offences: plagiarism and offences other than plagiarism.
* Denotes action usually approved by the Chair on behalf of the Sub-Committee.
Mode of Operation
- To meet when required and normally at least twice a term. To report annually to the Academic and Student Affairs Committee.
- To ensure that the business of the Sub-Committee is publicised effectively so that representatives of departments and/or programmes are given an opportunity to comment on issues affecting them.
- To invite any other person to attend its meetings to assist in the conduct of its business, always including the proposer of any business before the sub-committee.
Membership
- Chair (appointed by a process overseen by the Academic Nominations Committee)
- 2 elected members from each of the 5 Academic Board constituencies.
- 1 member nominated by the Students’ Union and 1 student member, nominated by the Taught Graduate Students' Consultative Forum.
Correspondence Members
- Each session, academic departments will appoint a minimum of one correspondence member to deal with postgraduate curriculum affairs. Departments may wish to associate this role with that of one of their MSc Programme Directors.
- Correspondence members will be notified of proposals to be considered by the GSSC by email; it is their responsibility on the behalf of their department to consider the proposals on their merits and for overlap or duplication with existing provision, consult within their department where necessary, and raise any issues with the proposing department if required.
- If an objection by a correspondence member to some aspect of a proposal cannot be resolved before the Subcommittee meeting, the correspondence member should notify the committee Secretary. The Chair would normally invite both parties to attend the committee meeting to explain their points of view in such cases.
- Correspondence members are welcome to attend Subcommittee meetings, but are not required to do so.
Approved by Academic Board
8 June 2016