(Page last reviewed April 2025)

The Course Modification Framework sets out the approval required for the most common types of changes to taught courses. In all cases, Faculties and Departments should discuss the changes with their EQPO liaison officer, who will advise on the approval route and how to complete the relevant paperwork.

For changes to research degrees, please contact the Postgraduate Research Team in the first instance.  

Deadlines

The more complex the change to a course, the longer the approval process will take, and the more evidence will be required.

The final meeting of Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee (ASEC) at which approval of changes to courses with effect from October 2026 will be considered, is 30 April 2025. Some changes will require a longer lead in time.

Paperwork must be submitted to your EQPO liaison officer no later than 10 April 2025.

Routes to Course Modification

There are two routes to course modification: 

• Your Liaison Officer can approve some minor course adjustments or amendments on behalf of ASEC, such as paper or module name changes, minor amendments to regulation wording and editorial changes. 
• All other course amendments must be considered by ASEC via the course modification form.

NOTE: Some course regulations give Faculty Boards the authority to publish minor changes independently as Supplementary Regulations or as Notices in the Reporter. This authority is always clearly set out in the course regulations.  In case of doubt, contact your EQPO liaison officer for advice.  When changes are approved by Faculty Board, the Reporter editor should be contacted directly via reportereditor@admin.cam.ac.uk to check if publication of the changes is required.

The following should be noted when completing the form:

• ASEC will not accept incomplete paperwork, or paperwork pending approval from Faculty Board, Degree Committee or the relevant School or ICE committee.
• Revised programme specifications and course regulations must be included.
• Student engagement is a key part of the process of amending courses.  As far as possible, students should be consulted via surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, or by soliciting feedback directly. Faculties and Departments are advised to approach their student representatives to discuss wider consultation. Course teams developing new postgraduate courses may wish to consult with current undergraduate students in cognate or related disciplines.
• If there is an impact on any type of College teaching, evidence of consultation with Directors of Studies should also be included; some changes will need to be endorsed by the Senior Tutors’ Standing Committee on Education (advice can be sought from your EQPO liaison officer or the ASEC Secretary).
• Faculties and departments should note that all prospective and current students have rights which are defined and protected by consumer legislation.  Guidance on pursuing course modifications in line with these legislative duties can be found in our Competition and Market Authority guidance.