Academic Board

Terms of Reference and Membership

The Academic Board is the most senior body in the University’s academic governance and, with delegated authority from the Board of Governors, is the final collective decision-making body on significant matters of academic regulation and policy, including those which span any aspect of education, teaching and learning, student experience, engagement and success and research and innovation.

In line with the University’s Articles of Government, it receives and test assurance via the work of its sub-committees and senior leadership responsible for academic strategy and delivery that the standard of University awards, the student academic experience and student outcomes is adequate and effective. It also provides high-level oversight, advice on and monitoring of the ‘academic’ implications of University Strategy and related delivery plans, KPIs and strategic risks, and wider sector developments impacting the University.

Finally, Academic Board advises on the culture and development of academic and professional staff supporting the academic mission and delivery of the University, community across the University’s campuses and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion matters related to academic curriculum.

Strategic Development and Performance Monitoring

1) To input to the development and ongoing review of the University Strategy 2030 where there are direct implications for teaching and learning, quality, standards and enhancement, student success, educational partnerships and research and innovation.

2) To periodically monitor high-level performance against the Student Success Plan 2030 and Research and Innovation Plan 2030, based on assurance from its relevant committees.

3) To monitor performance against core metrics and University strategic KPIs and strategic risks for academic experience, student outcomes, quality and standards assessment and awards, also seeking high level assurance from its committees and senior role-holders where needed.

4) To consider and provide advice on strategic topics on the horizon regionally, nationally and globally and their potential impact on the University’s academic mission and direction, organisational structure and portfolio of programmes.

5) To periodically seek assurance that there are proportionate student and staff engagement and consultation mechanisms in place for major academic developments, recognising Executive responsibility and authority for strategic resourcing and infrastructure matters in relation to these.

6) To contribute to and advise on the delivery of the Culture Framework to support and develop academic staff and service staff supporting academic activities, delivery and the student experience.

Regulation and Policy

7) To approve:

a) or recommend to the Board of Governors policies or statements requiring adoption or sighting by the Board of Governors

b) Standing Orders and other related Regulations relation to Academic Board

c) Schemes of Delegation in relation to Academic Board and academic officers of the University, delegated from the Board of Governors’ overriding provisions

d) the Academic Regulations of the University

e) major and substantive academic policy, regulations and codes of practice which span the remits of Academic Board committees, or for whatever reason, cannot be approved by those committees.

8) To provide strategic and policy advice and an academic perspective to the Executive, PVCs and other senior role-holders in their development and approval of major institutional returns and submissions, including the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

9) To consider and recommend to the Board of Governors, or its Academic Assurance Committee, annual reports on the business and impact of its committees in relation to Education and Academic Quality and Standards, Research and Innovation and Educational Partnerships.

10) To consider and monitor compliance with, and the effectiveness of, the Code of Practice for academic freedom and freedom of speech and provide assurance to the Board of Governors.

11) To approve any major amendments to the Professorial and Associate Professorial Appointments Procedure, annually receive the outcomes of Professorial Awards Panel and provide any advice on the data and arising trends.

12) To consider and be satisfied on the adequacy of:

       i. lessons learned, or instruct action, in relation to areas of non-compliance with   external and internal academic regulation or policy, adverse academic-related internal, inspection, reportable events etc. 

       ii. mechanisms for sharing good practice and commendations in relation to academic practice and enhancement. 

Committees of Academic Board

The following Committees report to the Academic Board:

• Education Committee
• Educational Partnerships Committee
• Research and Innovation Committee

The Academic Board meets three times per year, once per term.

Academic Board Membership 2025/26

Published: 31 July 2025