Standard Template for Business Proposal - Annex 6 - Guidance for Teaching and Learning Programme

Sep 12, 2026

Standard Template for Business Proposal (Annex 6) provides a structured set of requirements for preparing teaching and learning programme proposals. It explains how to size the proposal to programme complexity, answer each guidance question with evidence and considerations, and include a short financial summary. The template covers the full submission process, including completing sections on executive summary, introduction (purpose, context, delivery model, partners, timelines), and general analysis of strategic fit and required resources.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

Coversheet

Executive Summary

Introduction

Programme scope and rationale

Partnerships and partnership visit outcomes

General Analysis

Strategic fit

Resources (human and facilities)

Guide to policy and procedures for teaching and learning Section 5: Programme design and development Annex 6: Standard Template for Business Proposal Whilst this template raises a significant number of questions and issues to consider, not all of these will be relevant for every programme, and they have been provided to highlight possible issues as guidance. It is important to note that the Business Proposal should be proportional to the complexity of the proposed programme. The Teaching and Learning Dean will indicate the scale of the proposal required. For each question please explain how the conclusions have been reached-what evidence was drawn on and what factors were taken into consideration. As well as filling in the sections by answering the questions, please also provide a short financial summary drawing directly from the information outlined in the main body of the proposal. Please consult the relevant TLD and Finance Business Partner, for their review and comments, upon completion of the draft Business Proposal. Section 1 : Coversheet Executive Summary 􀁸 The executive summary expresses the whole business proposal succinctly in one or two pages and should be written last. 􀁸 Include your key objectives and a time frame if appropriate and some of the key financial information. Section 2: Introduction 􀁸 What do you want to do? -Type of award, subject area 􀁸 Why do you want to do it? -Where did the idea come from? Why this? Why now? 􀁸 What is the context? -at Reading/national/international 􀁸 Who is going to do it?– School(s), Faculty(s), key staff 􀁸 How are you going to do it?– FT/PT/Blended, working with a partner 􀁸 When are you going to do it?– first cohort start date , implementation timeline Partnerships only: 􀁸 With whom are you going to do it?– Who is your partner? Why choose them? Is there a MoU in place? What is the structure of the programme? For programmes delivered with a partner, please reference the University’s typology of academic partnerships which can be found here in Section 11 c: [http://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/QualityAssurance/PoliciesandProcedures/cqsd](http://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/QualityAssurance/PoliciesandProcedures/cqsd)PoliciesandProcedures.aspx 􀁸 For programmes which involve delivery with a partner, ifa partnership visit has taken place, how have the outcomes ofthe Partnership Visit shaped this proposal? Section 3: General Analysis A-Strategic fit How does the programme fit with: 􀁸 The School Operating Plan? 􀁸 School’s – and related areas-current offering? 􀁸 University’s Teaching and Learning Enhancement Priorities? 􀁸 The outcomes ofthe School Planning and Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (SPELT)? 􀁸 Internationalisation Strategy? Explain where the student numbers come from 􀁸 Increase in recruitment target? 􀁸 Re-allocation from discontinued programme?– which? 􀁸 Swapped from another programme? What are your long term plans for programme? Size, scope, fit,(partnership) with future offerings? B-Resources Human 􀁸 Do you already have appropriately skilled academic, pastoral and administrative support staff to deliver this programme within your School or Department? If not, please specify the different or extra requirements. o You will need to consider time and personnel to handle all aspects of the programme: marketing, recruitment, admissions, administration, travel time, teaching, assessment etc. There may also be travel and accommodation costs (in particular for programmes operating off campus or internationally) 􀁸 Will the programme require different or extraresources from beyond your School or Department? e.g. from o another School – the relevant SDTL should be consulted in the first instance and will be required to sign the Form 1 o Faculty Office or central service o English language support o Library o ITS o Study Advice/Study Skills sessions 􀁸 Will there be any travel/accommodation costs for the

FAQs

How should the Business Proposal be scaled and written within the template?

The Business Proposal must be proportional to the complexity of the proposed programme, with the Teaching and Learning Dean indicating the scale required. The executive summary is written last and should cover the proposal succinctly in one or two pages.

What information must be included in the Introduction section?

The Introduction should cover what the proposal is (type of award and subject area), why it is needed (origin and rationale), the context, who will deliver it, how it will be delivered (FT/PT/blended and partner arrangements), and when it will start including an implementation timeline.

What evidence is expected when answering questions in the template?

For each question, the proposal must explain how conclusions were reached by stating what evidence was drawn on and what factors were taken into consideration. It should also provide a short financial summary based directly on the main body’s information.

Sep 12, 2026

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