Departmental committees

The work of the Department is overseen by a number of committees. Further information and contacts for Committee chairs is available on the Key Departmental Roles website.

A brief summary of each academic committee can be found below. 

Departmental Education Committee (previously Board of Studies)

During the academic year 25/26, the Department is part of a University pilot project to update and enhance governance and oversight processes for our educational provision. Previously, governance was overseen by the Board of Studies (BoS), which had overall responsibility for the quality of the teaching and programmes offered by the Department, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. From 25/26, the BoS will be disbanded, and  governance will be overseen by the Department Education Committee (DEC). The DEC will be responsible for the delivery, management, review and development of educational provision (undergraduate; taught postgraduate; research degrees; continuing professional development) within the department. They will ensure that this provision meets University and all relevant external requirements for academic quality and standards, as well as working to develop and enhance this provision in order to provide all students with a high-quality academic experience that provides students with the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Postgraduate Teaching Committee 

The role of the Postgraduate Teaching Committee is to co-ordinate and govern all quality assurance activities related to postgraduate taught programmes in the Department of Health Sciences and to ensure that all professional, statutory, regulatory body and University Teaching Committee requirements are adhered to. In addition, the Postgraduate Teaching Committee (PGTC) also monitors and records progress for all postgraduate taught students. The Postgraduate Teaching Committee meets twice per semester. (Chair Prof. Mona Kanaan; email: mona.kanaan@york.ac.uk).

Exceptional Circumstances Committee

This Departmental committee considers students’ claims for exceptional circumstances in relation to assessment including requests for extensions to submission deadlines. It is bound by the University’s Exceptional Circumstances Policy.

If you are having any problems while studying at York which might affect your ability to complete assigned work, you may be eligible to apply for Exceptional Circumstances. If successful, this would allow you an extension or a resit for the assessment affected.

For further information, please see Exceptional Circumstances in the Assessment, Progression and Award Section of the Handbook.

Fitness to Practice Committee

The Fitness to Practice Committee has a remit to support you to maintain sufficient health and wellbeing to practise safely and effectively, and to address any issues of concern in relation to your health, conduct and character.

Departmental Library Committee

This Departmental committee’s aim is to influence and determine Departmental policy and priorities relating to libraries.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) is an overarching Departmental committee. Its remit is to ensure that the Department of Health Sciences supports the University’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (as outlined in the University’s Policy Statement) in all its activities.