Validation and Revalidation Process

School Portfolio Plans (SPP), which include the title(s) and year of entry of proposed new programmes, are considered by the Strategic Portfolio Committee (SPC). Once SPPs are approved, the proposals for new provision can progress to the business case stage.

Following approval of the Concept Summary, Marketing colleagues support proposers in the drafting of web content in preparation for the publication of programme information on the University website 'subject to final approval'. Templates for undergraduate and postgraduate provision are available which reflect the requirements of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Content Template for the Website - Undergraduate (DOCx, 26.3 KB)

Content Template for the Website - Postgraduate (DOCx, 24.3 KB)

Completed forms should be submitted to marketing@yorksj.ac.uk.

The Business Case, developed by the proposing School, provides information on resource requirements and must be completed with input from Professional Services Directorates, including technicians where programme delivery has technical input, to ascertain the impact of the new development on central University services.

Following approval by SQP, the Business Case is submitted to approvals@yorksj.ac.uk for consideration by SPC for approval to proceed in respect of strategic direction, sustainability and growth. Approval of the business case allows the programme to be marketed 'subject to validation'.

Full Business Case for new programme developments (docx, 67.8 kB)

If, after business case approval by the Committee, changes need to be made, these could be approved by either SQPs (for minor amendments, such as month of entry) or by the Committee (for major changes, such as change to an award). This follows a similar procedure to programme amendments, which can be considered by SQPs for minor amendments, or by QSC’s Programme Amendment Scrutiny Panel, for major amendments. Please refer to the definitions of amendments.

For programmes approved under a collaborative validation partnership (not franchise provision), the following business case templates apply:

Programme Development Business Case - Collaborative Validation (Docx, 45.6kB)

Programme Development Business Case - Collaborative Revalidation (Docx, 47.7kB)

A member of Registry's Academic Quality Support (AQS) team will be allocated to support portfolio developments. The AQS project co-ordinator will arrange a Process Planning Meeting (PDF 0.2MB) to agree validation timelines and outline the support available, including reviewing documentation prior to submission to the Compliance Meeting.

Following approval by SQP, programme proposal documentation is submitted to quality@yorksj.ac.uk for consideration at a YSJU Compliance Meeting (PDF 0.2MB). The Compliance Meeting considers proposals in terms of meeting YSJU regulations and aligning to YSJU academic practices. The meeting will agree one of the following outcomes:

• the programme(s) are compliant and can be released to proceed to the External Approval Event;
• identification of areas requiring action or further consideration;
• the programme(s) is/are deemed unable to continue.

A post-Compliance Meeting can be held with the proposing team to discuss the outcomes. Subsequent amendments to the documentation must be signed off by SQP prior to Compliance Chair sign-off.

Following the YSJU Compliance Meeting, programme proposal documentation is considered at an External Approval Event (PDF 0.2MB) which provides independent external scrutiny by subject experts and further consideration by YSJU colleagues. Remote virtual events are held by default unless there is a specific reason for an in-person meeting e.g. PSRB requirement. The Approval Panel will agree one of the following outcomes:

• approval of programme(s) with no further action required and the identification of features for commendation;
• approval of programme(s) with conditions and/or recommendations and the identification of features for commendation;
• non-approval of programme(s) in relation to external sector benchmarking.

At the end of the event, the programme proposers are informed of the outcome by the Panel Chair.

Documentation amended in light of conditions and/or recommendations must be signed off by SQP before being reviewed by the AQS Event Officer and Panel Chair for recommendation for approval to the Quality & Standards Committee (QSC).

Recommendations for approval made by the External Approval Panel will be forwarded to the Chair of the QSC for final approval by Chair's Action.

Once signed-off by QSC Chair's Action, the programme is formally approved and 'subject to approval' can be removed from marketing materials.