Senate

The Senate plays a key role in the governance of The University of Manchester.

Subject to the authority of the Board, the Senate acts as the University’s principal academic authority.

Senate is responsible to the Board of Governors for the promotion of research, the regulation and monitoring of standards in teaching, and the regulation of discipline of the University students.

Current Senate membership

The main powers of the current Senate membership (PDF document, 180KB), as designated by Statute, are:

  • formulate and keep under review, in consultation with Faculties, the academic strategy of the University and to make such recommendations to the Board of Governors as needed for implementation;
  • promote research, scholarship, learning and teaching;
  • superintend and regulate the recruitment, selection, admission, education and assessment of University students; to award degrees or other academic distinctions and to regulate the conduct, discipline and academic progress of students;
  • monitor and maintain academic standards, and enhance the quality of academic provision, and approve new programmes of study;
  • appoint the internal examiners of the University, and to recommend to the Board of Governors the appointment of the external examiners of the University;
  • establish, modify or revise schemes for the academic structure and organisation of the University and to make recommendations to the Board of Governors;
  • establish, modify or revise schemes for collaborative educational provision with external partner organisations and to make recommendations to the Board of Governors;
  • discuss and declare an opinion on any matter whatsoever relating to the University (including proposals of the Board for the amendment of the Charter and the Statutes), on reference from the Board or otherwise, and to transmit such opinion to the Board, who will consider and respond;
  • do such other things as the Board or laws of the University may authorise.

Useful information