Review of Edinburgh University academic year one step closer

After a lengthy process, which has included complaints over the reluctance of some departments to reform, a final settlement on the review of the University of Edinburgh's academic year was passed at a meeting of the academic policy committee last week.

The key policy-making body within the university’s structures, the academic policy committee must now defer to the university senate for a final decision on the review, although those familiar with the process have suggested that, given the support for the proposal in committee, senate approval ought to be a simple formality.

Following a number of proposals, a final timetable has been passed forward to the senate. This would provide a full 11 weeks teaching in semester one, plus a dedicated revision week before exams. Semester two would gain an additional week of teaching, while Easter holidays would be fixed – coinciding with the religious festival two years out of every three.

Speaking following the committee vote, vice president for academic affairs at EUSA, Guy Bromley said: “I’m delighted that, after years of campaigning by EUSA, Edinburgh students are finally getting more teaching and revision time.”

He added: “This solution was developed in consultation with class representatives, 87% of whom supported this change.”

This compares favourably to a proposal from the College of Humanities and Social sciences which offered no spring break between the end of teaching and exams, and which was rejected by 90% of class reps.

Mr Bromley pointed out, however, that the new system would not solve all of the problems with teaching provision at the university: “Although this is an interim solution, prior to a much larger scale review of the way in which curricula are delivered across the University, it represents a clear improvement on today’s position. Despite this positive change, myself and other EUSA representatives will continue to fight for an end to the situation where many students have only three or four contact hours a week. But this week’s decision brings Edinburgh University a step closer to being run primarily for its biggest population – students.”

Chairing the review group, Professor Simon van Heyningen, vice principal, learning & teaching said: "We are pleased that Academic Policy Committee has given its support to the proposal which offers students a week's extra revision time in semester one and a week's extra teaching in semester two.

"The new proposal should also be better for staff with family responsibilities as it positions the spring break at the end of the semester, rather than part-way through the semester, where it will coincide with Easter the majority of the time. The next stage is for the proposal to be presented to Senate in June."

In other news, currently underway is a review of academic and pastoral support at the university – ostensibly a review of the Director of Studies system, to those unfamiliar with the institution’s often impenetrable jargon. Key proposals include the creation of a body of dedicated advisors to assist with non-subject specific needs, alongside improved support from academic staff.

However, the full recommendations of the teaching and learning committee look set to be delayed following the temporary absence of a key contributor.

Speaking to The Journal, Prof. van Heyningen, vice principal, learning & teaching said: “We are continuing with our work to improve the academic experience of students at the University of Edinburgh.

“However, because of circumstances outside anyone's control, the review of academic and pastoral support has been unavoidably delayed. A full report will be published and available for everyone to read and discuss once this review is complete, which we hope will be before the end of the summer.”