Goldsmiths - University of London

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Programme Closure

Procedure for the closure of programmes


As with the approval of new programmes of study, there are two clear stages to the process. The first is the strategic decision to close a programme of study. The second is a consideration of the academic and quality issues relating to the management of the closure. There will be a two part form to be completed, each section corresponding to one of these stages.

Strategic Approval
  1. A variety of factors may lead to this decision (e.g. poor recruitment; staff changes; changes in strategy; developments within the academic discipline).
  2. If departments are considering withdrawing a programme of study they should initially discuss this with their relevant Pro-Warden. If the reason for closing the programme is accepted in principle, the department should approach the Pro Warden (Academic Development) with a formal request for termination, copied to the Director of Quality, Planning and Academic Governance.
  3. At this stage the information required will be of a more general nature, relating to the rationale for closure and the resource implications of the proposal.
  4. The College has a responsibility to ensure that applicants are informed at as early a date as possible of the intention to close a programme. If a programme is to be withdrawn from the following academic year it would normally be expected that strategic approval should be obtained before the end of the autumn term.

Academic Approval
  1. Once strategic approval has been obtained, departments should gain approval for the measures they intend to put in place to manage the withdrawal of the programme. These should relate both to applicants and current students. In the case of the former, consideration should been given to whether alternatives might be offered, whilst for the latter the College has a responsibility to demonstrate that they will not be disadvantaged by the proposed closure.
  2. These measures should be submitted for consideration to the Programme Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

Follow up
  1. Once academic approval for the proposed closure has been granted, the Admissions Office will write to all applicants to inform them of the decision and will ensure the programme is removed from the UCAS database, if appropriate.
  2. Departments should also inform continuing students of the decision and explain any effects this may have on them.

Informing other services
The Director of Quality, Planning and Academic Development will liaise with colleagues in Marketing and Finance to ensure that publicity materials can be updated and that financial and student number forecasts can be amended as appropriate.