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5. PROGRAMME APPROVAL

5.1 New Programme of Studies

The following steps show the procedure for the approval of any new Programme of Studies at the

University of Mauritius. The procedure is also outlined in the flowchart UoMQA10 given in

Annex 2.

5.1.1 The Department/ Centre identifies a new Programme of Studies e.g. as a result of University strategy,

from surveys on market demands, specific market needs, international trends or request from any

particular Ministry/ Institution.

5.1.2 The Faculty/ Centre concerned sets up a Programme Board of Studies (Departmental or

Interdisciplinary) taking into account the type of Programme identified.

5.1.3 The Board of Studies prepares a draft of the Programme of Studies according to the format of

Programme proposal.

5.1.4 The Programme proposal is sent to the Advisory Committee.

5.1.5 Composition and Terms of Reference of Advisory Committee

(as per University of Mauritius Statutes Section 21.1)

The Board of each Faculty/ Centre may appoint one or more Advisory Committees in the subjects of

the Faculty/ Centre consisting of:

(a) the Dean/ Director as Chairperson;

(b) the Professors holding posts allocated to the Faculty/ Centre;

(c) such members of the Faculties/ Centres as are designated by the Board of Faculty/ Centre;

(d) not more than 12 persons not being members of the full-time academic staff of the University with

special interests in the subject of concern, to the Advisory Committee appointed on the nomination

of the Vice-Chancellor and the Dean of Faculty/ Director of Centre jointly for such periods and on

such conditions as the Board may, in each case determine.

Each Advisory Committee shall receive information and reports from the Dean of the Faculty/ Director

of Centre on the teaching and research of the Faculty/ Centre in the subjects that concern it and on

proposed academic developments in those fields, and shall advise the Board on the relevance of the

curricula to the national need, on matters concerning the employment and careers of past students of

the University and in fields in which further teaching or research is needed.

a) At least 3-5 External Members/ Stakeholders/Advisors (at least three (3) for Specialised

Programmes) should be present to hold an Advisory Committee;

b) The Advisory Committee may be held in parallel via Zoom to allow External Members only to join

the meeting;

c) External Members who may not attend the Advisory Committee should submit their views by email

before the Advisory Committee; and

d) Academic staff (especially those who have mounted the Programme) should attend the Advisory

Committee in person.

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5.1.6 If the Programme Board of Studies is interdisciplinary, the Programme proposal is submitted for views

to the parent Department before being sent to the Advisory Committee. The views of the parent

Department should be submitted to the Programme Board of Studies normally within two months.

5.1.7 The Advisory Committee considers the Programme proposal and informs the Board of Studies of its

views. After modification (if any) and approval, the proposal is submitted to the Faculty/ Centre Board.

5.1.8 All new programmes together with the HEC requirements for accreditation will be vetted by the

Quality Assurance Office prior to Faculty/Centre Board consideration. A Checklist of documentation

addressing the accreditation requirements and approved by the Senate is available on the QA website.

5.1.9 The Faculty/ Centre Board considers the Programme proposal and if it is approved by the members of

the Board, the Programme proposal is submitted to TRC and Senate. Upon approval by TRC and

Senate, the Programme proposal is submitted to HEC for accreditation.

5.1.10 HEC Accreditation for New Programmes

Faculties/Centre will inform all Academics of the accreditation process. Deans and Administrative

Officers would guide their respective departments.

Official requests for the accreditation of new programmes will be made to HEC through the Vice- Chancellor as Chairperson of Senate. The duly filled HEC Form for Programme Accreditation shall

accompany the request for the accreditation of a new programme.

The HEC Form for Programme Accreditation accompanying the accreditation for new Programme is

available on the HEC Website and a link is provided on the UoM Website.

5.1.11 Accreditation by HEC will be considered for: “the Undergraduate Certificate, Undergraduate

diploma, Bachelor’s degree, Bachelor’s degree with Honours, Postgraduate certificate, Postgraduate

diploma, Master’s degree or a doctoral degree or their respective equivalents” (Ref HE Act).

5.1.12 All new programmes should be duly approved by the TRC and Senate of the University of Mauritius

prior to the submission of application for programme accreditation to the HEC.

5.1.13 For Joint and Dual Programmes (especially if the Partner Institution is from abroad).

The University of Mauritius will apply to the HEC for accreditation of these types of programmes. The

overseas Partner Institution has to provide evidence that they meet the regulations in the country of

origin to offer the programme in Mauritius in the application for accreditation.

The qualifications awarded through the joint/dual degree programme should be recognised

in the country of origin of the overseas partner. Please refer to the Guidelines for Programme

Accreditation- Section 2(iii) and Application Form for Programme Accreditation-Section 2 on the HEC

website.

5.1.14 All amendments are made at the Faculty/Centre Board level.

5.1.15 Accreditation Renewal Period.

Accreditation by HEC is granted for a specified duration usually 3 years for all new programmes.

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The University of Mauritius will apply for the renewal of the accreditation of the programme 6 months

prior to expiry irrespective of whether amendments have been brought or not to the programme.

5.1.16 During the approval process due consideration should be given to the academic standards of awards

and the quality of the learning opportunities available.

5.2 Revised Programme of Studies

5.2.1 The Programme Board of Studies considers the introduction of new modules, changes to modules

from academic staff or changes in mode of assessment/delivery. The rationale behind the revised

proposal must be given.

5.2.2 Major modifications to a Programme include:

• changing Programme name;

• 25% or more change in Programme content;

• major changes to regulations specifically applicable to the Programme.

Minor modifications to a Programme may include addition of a module, change in module content or

withdrawal of a module and less than 25% change in the Programme.

5.2.3 If the amendment is approved by the Programme Board of Studies and if the change is minor (as

defined in section 5.2.2), it is submitted to the Department (if the Programme Board of Studies is inter- disciplinary) and Faculty Board.

5.2.4 If there is major modification (as defined in section 5.2.2), it must be submitted to the Department (if

the Programme Board of Studies is interdisciplinary), Advisory Committee, Faculty Board, TRC and

Senate.

5.2.5 HEC Accreditation for Revised Programmes

Major changes to a Programme will require HEC Accreditation. For programmes with minor revisions

that would not warrant Senate approval, there would be no need to seek Programme Accreditation.

Also please refer to the revamped flowchart for the Approval of Programme of Studies

5.3 Timetable for Approval

5.3.1 The recommended timescale for approval by TRC and/or Senate of new and revised Programmes is as

follows:

New Undergraduate/ Postgraduate Programme 9-12 months prior to start

Major modification to a Programme 9 months prior to start

Minor modification to a Programme 6 months prior to start

These are recommended timescales to allow for the inclusion of information in the Faculty/University

Handbook(s)/ Prospectus and university website.