Published for 2024-25
6. Programme / Route Suspension or Withdrawal | 6.2 Withdrawing a Programme |
6.1 Suspending a Programme |
6. Programme / Route Suspension or Withdrawal
1. | Any suspension or withdrawal of a programme (or one of its named routes) must be undertaken in such a manner that the interests of current students, and students who have applied to the programme, are fully protected, ensuring UCL meets its obligations under consumer protection legislation, as outlined in the advice provided by the Consumer Protection Legislation Guidance (Annex 7.1.3). The Student Protection Plan sets out UCL’s approach to suspension or closure of a programme and the actions UCL may take as a result of a planned or unplanned event. Advice should be sought from the relevant Faculty Tutor as early as possible to ensure that the appropriate procedures are followed. |
6.1 Suspending a Programme / Route
1. | Suspension of a programme of study (or one of its named routes) must be requested using Part One of the Programme Suspension or Withdrawal Form (Annex 7.6.1). |
2. | Suspensions must be approved by the relevant Head of Department and the Dean of Faculty. Where the programme is delivered in partnership with another department, or an external organisation, there must be evidence that all parties are in agreement to the suspension. |
3. | A decision on suspended admission should be made prior to offers being made to applicants. |
4. | If a programme/route has been suspended for more than two academic years, it will be assumed that it is no longer active and will be withdrawn by the relevant professional services team. The programme lead will be notified prior to the processing of the withdrawal. |
6.2 Withdrawing a Programme / Route
1. | Programmes (or named routes on a programme) that will not be offered to students from a known date should be formally withdrawn using Parts One and Two of the Programme Suspension or Withdrawal Form (PSWF) (Annex 7.6.1). |
2. | The proposal to withdraw a programme or route must be approved by the relevant Department and Faculty before being put forward for noting at a PMAP meeting. |
3. | A suitably qualified external scrutineer must be asked to comment on the appropriateness of any teach out plans, and the extent to which they maintain a coherent experience that enables students to meet advertised learning outcomes. |
4. | In order for a programme/route to be withdrawn or suspended from the appropriate publicity materials, the relevant central services will be advised by Education Services. |
5. | Where a programme is delivered in collaboration with an external partner, the appropriate Termination of Academic Partnership form should also be completed. This can be found in Chapter 8: Academic Partnerships Framework. |