Academic Board

Academic Board is Falmouth University’s senior academic authority, established in accordance with the University's Articles and Instrument of Government. Chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, it is responsible for determining the University’s approach to, and assuring the quality of, learning & teaching, research, innovation and knowledge exchange, so that it aligns with, and supports:  

• The educational character, Mission, Vision, Values of the University as defined by the Board of Governors
• The best possible outcomes for our students 
• Compliance with relevant regulatory Conditions of Registration and other legislative and regulatory requirements

The Guiding Principles and Behaviours for Academic Board and its sub-committee encapsulate the ethos of the Board and academic governance at Falmouth University, as well as providing clarity about expected behaviours and standards of conduct: 

The work of Academic Board is supported by three sub-committees:

• Learning, Teaching & Quality Committee
• Research, Integrity & Ethics Committee
• Research & Knowledge Exchange Committee

These are supported and fed into by further sub-committees, as outlined in our Academic Governance Structure Chart:

The composition of Academic Board is set out in its Terms of Reference. 

Academic Board has a total of 16 members as follows:  

• Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive 
• Pro Vice-Chancellors 
• Deans of Faculty 
• Three elected staff members (academic, professional services, technical) 
• Two student members – the serving Falmouth President and Vice-President of the Students’ Union, elected by Falmouth University students 
• Director of Student & Academic Support (FX Plus) 
• Up to four Co-opted Members 

The profile of membership reflects the experience and expertise required for the Board to deliver the responsibilities set out in its Terms of Reference. The membership is approved by the Board of Governors and subject to regular review. 

Below you’ll find a link to our 2030 Strategy, our Learning & Teaching Philosophy, our Research & Knowledge Exchange Philosophy and the minutes from our Academic Board meetings from the 2024/25 academic year: 

• 2030 Strategy 
• Learning & Teaching Philosophy 
• Research & Knowledge Exchange Philosophy