This guidance sets out the University’s procedure for the consideration of academic promotion to the academic offices of Associate Professor (Grade 10), Professor (Grade 11), Clinical Professor and Professor at Grade 12, following approval of the Report of the General Board on arrangements for the implementation of the Academic Career Pathways Scheme (Reporter, 2018-19, 6547, p.562). It includes the titles set out in the Joint Report of the Council and the General Board on the titles and structure of academic offices (Reporter, 2019-20, 6582, p.419), which have been approved by the Regent House.
There is no expectation of step-by-step progression through each level of the career pathway, meaning applicants can apply for promotion to an office more than one grade above their current role. It is important to note that applicants will only be considered for the office for which they have applied. Consideration will not be given for promotion to a lower graded office if the ACP committees determine that an applicant has not met the assessment criteria for promotion to the office for which they have applied.
| Office | Progression to | Route |
| Assistant/Associate Professor (Grade 9) | Associate Professor (Grade 10) | ACP R&T |
| Holders of Grade 9 offices and unestablished posts with curatorial and associated responsibilities | Grade 10 (title will be determined by the relevant Institution) | ACP R&T |
| Assistant/Associate Professor (Grade 9), and Associate Professor (Grade 10) | Professor (Grade 11) or Professor at Grade 12 | ACP R&T |
| Professor (Grade 11) | Professor at Grade 12 | ACP R&T |
| Holders of offices, who also hold an honorary consultant contract | Clinical Professor | ACP R&T |
| Professor at Grade 12 | Progression at Grade 12, through bands 1, 2, 3 and 4 | ACP (Grade 12) |
Progression from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor (Grade 9) forms part of the University’s Probation process for academic staff (see the University’s Probation Policy and Academic Probation Procedure).
An Assistant Professor is eligible to apply for promotion to Associate Professor (Grade 10) or a more senior office while still in probation. In the case of an Assistant Professor applying for promotion to Associate Professor (Grade 10), ACP R&T functions as a promotion scheme. If the application is successful, the individual will be deemed to have passed their probation.
The case for promotion is assessed in relation to the criteria on the strength of all the evidence contained in their promotion application (see Assessment Criteria).
In all cases, institutions should ensure that sufficient funding is identified to support applications for promotion and ongoing salary costs. Queries concerned with funding should be raised with the relevant School Finance Manager in the first instance.
Note: Academics who have chosen to retain their existing title of Lecturer (Grade 9), Senior Lecturer (Grade 10) and Reader (Grade 11) are eligible to apply for promotion as set out above. If their application is successful, their promotion will be to the relevant office and title set out above.