New taught course approval
The new taught course approval form can be found here; please read the information below before completing it.
(For new postgraduate research courses, please contact the Postgraduate Research Team)
The development of a new taught course should be discussed with the relevant EQPO liaison officer at the earliest opportunity.
All new taught courses leading to a University award (including sub-degree awards) to be included in Statutes and Ordinances, must be formally approved by the Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee (ASEC). New triposes or awards new to the University may require approval by the General Board or its Education Committee: your EQPO liaison officer will advise.
Development
We strongly advise that course development is discussed at an early stage with the following:
- Academic and Financial Planning and Analysis (financial sustainability and fees)
- The relevant School(s) and/or the Institute of Continuing Education for approval of the business case and student numbers
- Planning and Resources Committee for approval of additional resources
- The Blended Learning Service for designing a blended curriculum and making most effective use of digital tools for teaching and learning.
- The International Student Office for possible implications on international students
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team and the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre for ensuring that courses are designed and delivered in an inclusive way.
- The Cambridge Centre for Teaching and Learning also offers a variety of resources to support inclusive teaching, learning, and assessment.
- Cambridge Admissions Office, Postgraduate Admissions, or ICE Admissions (prospectus deadlines and widening participation)
- Faculty or departmental student representatives
Additionally, the following regulatory and advice and guidance documents should be reviewed:
- UK Quality Code for Higher Education
- The Office for Students Sector Recognised Standards
- Quality Assurance Agency Subject Benchmark Statements, where relevant
- Quality Assurance Agency Degree Characteristics Statements
- Competition and Markets Authority compliance guidance
- Postgraduate Course Length Policy
- For non-matriculated courses, the Interim Framework for Administering Bodies
Process
All new course proposals must be approved by the relevant Faculty Board (with Degree Committee input where necessary) and School. A New Course Approval form should then be completed; courses involving a collaborative element with a partner institution should complete both the New Course Approval Form and the Collaborative Education Form. Postgraduate courses with collaborative elements should also review our Framework for Collaborative Provision of Postgraduate Education.
Both postgraduate taught courses and undergraduate non-matriculated courses follow the same path. New triposes, or other matriculated undergraduate courses will require review and endorsement from the Senior Tutors’ Committee making the approval process more complex. Additionally, a new Tripos requires a longer lead-in time in order to comply with Competition and Market Authority guidelines.
Faculties and Departments intending to introduce a new Tripos should discuss with EQPO as soon as possible.
New course proposals should be presented to the Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee (ASEC) at an early stage for feedback and advice. Courses presented to ASEC for the first time at the last meeting at which it may be approved may be rejected.
Deadlines
All new undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses
The final meeting of the Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee where approval may be sought for new courses is 29 April 2026. New taught postgraduate courses approved at this meeting can be implemented in October 2027 and a new Tripos, in October 2028 (at the earliest). Paperwork must be submitted to your EQPO liaison officer no later than 10 April 2026.
(page last reviewed May 2025)