This page provides more information about making changes to course (formally programme) and module specifications.
Please note, terminology for a programme has been renamed as ‘course’ from academic year 2025/26 onwards.
Schools must submit all curriculum changes, specifically changes to course and module specifications, to Curriculum Approvals and Advisory Team (CAAT) in the UK or local academic services unit (ASU) at UNNC or Student Registry office (SRO) at UNM by the published deadlines, with oversight and approval by CAAT for all campuses.
This is to ensure that:
- Curriculum information in the Student Record system (Campus Solutions), which is published to internal and external audiences via the Online Curriculum Catalogue and in the Online Prospectus, is accurate and up to date
- Accurate information is available to students to inform module selection for the next academic year
- Accurate information is available to prospective students in the Online Prospectus to inform application decisions
- Students are provided, in good time, with the material information relating to their course of study, in compliance with the requirements of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
All curriculum change must obtain the necessary relevant School and/or Faculty level approvals prior to its formal submission to CAAT/ASU/SRO. There are set deadlines during the academic year when curriculum information can be updated. The deadlines are different in the UK depending on whether the changes relate to items that are considered ‘material’ or not. More information about the Annual Review of Curriculum can be found in the link in Section 3 below.
2.1 Course specification changes requiring consultation or notification
When making changes to course specifications, in some circumstances (see below) it is necessary to communicate and/or consult with particular student groups.
Where changes to courses of study fit into one of the categories below, Schools/ must consult with all current students that will be directly affected by the planned changes at the first opportunity, and students must be given the chance to comment on the changes.
- Changes to progression requirements which make progression more difficult.
- Changes to award or classification procedures which may make it more difficult for a student to receive an award or a higher class of award.
- Any changes to material information of a course (except changes to material items which are solely for the benefit of students). Material information includes (but is not limited to) core modules, course title, course learning outcomes, location of study, duration of study, external accreditation, award type, assessment at course level and delivery of teaching at course level. Please see Appendix 1 of the University of Nottingham’s Consumer Protection Policy which provides a full list of information which is considered “material”.
Material changes which are for the benefit of students (i.e. changes that enhance their learning experience) must be communicated to them but consultation is not required. Schools are responsible for communicating such changes to their students.
Where students object to the planned change(s) and the School wishes to proceed, the School must seek approval from the Quality and Standards Committee (QSC) for the proposal.
In the case of changes to undergraduate award or classification procedures (such as a change to degree class weightings), the changes must not apply to any existing Part I, II, or III students without their explicit written consent.
2.2 Module changes requiring consultation/notification
When making changes to module specifications, in some circumstances (see below) it is necessary to communicate and/or consult with particular student groups.
Schools must communicate with students affected by any planned curriculum changes to core modules fitting into the categories below at the first opportunity and they must be given the opportunity to comment on the changes:
- Changes to the learning outcomes of the module
- Changes to the manner in which the module is assessed
- A change to the assessment regulations which makes it more difficult for a student to pass the module
- Any changes to material information of a module (except changes which are solely for the benefit of students). Material information includes (but is not limited to) core modules and location of study. Please see Appendix 1 of the University of Nottingham’s Consumer Protection Policy which provides a full list of information which is considered “material”.
Material changes which are for the benefit of students must be communicated but consultation is not required. Schools are responsible for communicating such changes to their students.
The credit amount or level of a module cannot be altered; such changes require the creation of a new module.
If any of the above changes are to optional modules which occur prior to the start of the session in which the amended optional module will be delivered, but after students have selected that module, then these changes must be communicated to students at the earliest opportunity and they must be given the opportunity to comment.
2.3 Changes to courses requiring Quality and Standards Committee approval
Approval by the Quality and Standards Committee must be obtained for the following changes to course specifications:
- Changes which are contrary to the guidelines for course specifications, the University of Nottingham Qualifications Framework (UNQF), or any other university policy or regulation
- Significant changes to the course structure (section C.2 of the course specification). It is the school’s responsibility when changing section C.2 to ensure that no changes to the learning outcomes are required
- Changes to section C.2 which affect another School and where the other School has objected to the change. Please note, a school changing section C.2 of any of its courses has a responsibility to consult another School directly affected by that change
- Any changes to curricula to which the majority of students are opposed
2.4 Changes to modules requiring QSC approval
Approval by the Quality and Standards Committee must be obtained for changes to module specification information which are contrary to the module specifications guidelines, or any other university policy or regulation; or to which the majority of students currently enrolled on the module are opposed.
2.5 Method of communication with students
Schools must ensure that all relevant students have been consulted on planned changes as described above, including those who are on a break in their learning.
Whilst planned changes can be communicated and discussed at the Staff Student Forum (SSF), Schools must ensure that all students are sent the information personally and have a mechanism for students to provide any feedback (e.g. via email). Evidence of consultation must be provided to the Curriculum Approvals and Advisory Team (CAAT) (UK), Academic Services Unit (UNNC) or Student Registry Office (UNM) along with the change(s).
If there are any majority objections to the planned change(s) and the School wishes to proceed, the School must seek approval for the proposal from the Quality and Standards Committee before proceeding.
3.0 Related regulations, policies and procedures
4.0 Version control table
Version control table
| Version Number | Purpose/Change | Approving Committee | Date |
|---|
| 1.0 |
Changes made to combine the programme and module specification changes pages as well as to update in relation to when to consult with students. Also reformatted to align with new University of Nottingham Policy Management Framework |
QSC |
August 2024 |
| 1.1 |
Changes to approval responsibilities.
As part of a regular review cycle, this page has been updated with some minor corrections and clarifications made to the content.
Terminology for a programme has been renamed as ‘course’ from academic year 2025/26 onwards. |
QSC |
January 2026 |
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