University of St Andrews
Business Case for new PGT Programme
Submission Guidelines
A submission for a new PGT programme should comprise a Business Case, a 3-year Financial Projection
spreadsheet (template also provided) and a New Programme Proposal form. It should be submitted to
curriculum@st-andrews.ac.uk; at latest by the end of October in the academic year prior to launch. The
curriculum officer will circulate all the documents and collate the approvals. Final approval of a PGT
programme requires approval of the Master, the Proctor and the Curriculum Approvals Group. Advice
prior to the submission should be sought from the ProDean PGT and initial plans for a new PGT
programme should also be raised at School Strategy meetings.
Title of Proposed Programme
School
Proposed Programme Co-ordinator
Brief Programme Descriptor (no more
than 100 words)
MARKETING
Advice MUST be sought from Admissions PRIOR to submission on the following:
Market size - how many new students would this programme attract and on what basis are you estimating this?
Geographical segment - where are these students likely to come from? UK/overseas (visa implications)
Competition - what other universities offer this type of programme? Are you competitive?
Advertising/marketing – how do you plan to attract students to this programme? What support do you require?
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
This information MUST be provided in a spreadsheet format [template provided]. Advice should be sought from
the School’s Senior Accountant (FAS) to respond to this section PRIOR to submission. A three-year plan with a
detailed estimate of requirements for programme development, initial launch and sustainability such as additional
academic or support staff, equipment, books/journals/software, etc.
SUPPORT
Ideally the proposed new programme will have already been discussed at the School Strategy Planning meeting
with the Principal’s office. Provide a clear indication of the required input from existing staff and the likely impact
on existing resources, i.e. new module development, teaching/laboratory space, study space. Will the new
programme build on any existing/core modules? How does the new programme fit within existing Masters
programmes in the School? Requests for new staff to deliver this programme should be accompanied by a
detailed rationale and reference to the School workload model.
FUNDING
What are the prospects for external bodies hosting/funding projects (e.g. industrial placements, internships etc.)?
Have opportunities for Research Council support or other forms of financial support been explored (provide
details)?
Nicola Milton, Executive Officer to the Proctor
Proctor’s Office
Page 1 of 2
October 2014
FEES
Indicate proposed fee structure and project for 3 years – advice should be sought from the University Fees Officer
in Registry regarding appropriate fee levels. Have you considered using fee income to fund additional PGRs?
SUSTAINABILITY
Describe the criteria by which the success of this new programme can be assessed in three years time. Criteria can
include student numbers, financial and academic benefits to the School or any other tangible benefit.
COLLABORATIONS
If this programme is to be taught in collaboration with another institution then advice MUST be sought from
collabs@st-andrews.ac.uk with respect to establishing a collaborative Memorandum of Agreement.
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Describe the criteria by which the success of this new programme can be assessed in three years time. Criteria can
include student numbers, financial and academic benefits to the School or any other tangible benefit.
Nicola Milton, Executive Officer to the Proctor
Proctor’s Office
October 2014
Page 2 of 2