The University of Southampton Scheme of Delegation sets out the principal delegations from the University’s governing body, the Council. It identifies the location of authority and accountability within the University for decisions made in its name and on its behalf. The Scheme of Delegation supports the overall governance arrangements for the Council, the Senate, Vice-Chancellor, advised by the University Executive Board (UEB) and their sub-groups.
The Scheme of Delegation is a live document that will be updated annually. This version of the Scheme of Delegation was approved by Council on the 3rd February 2026 and will be effective from this date. Where delegations are granted to the holder of a title whose title changes throughout the year, then amendments to reflect these changes can be made throughout the year by the Secretary to the Council, however fundamental changes may only be made with the approval of Council. Responsibility for maintaining the Scheme of Delegation sits with the Governance Team.
As the governing body of the University, the Council is responsible for approving the strategy, budgets, annual financial forecasts, annual financial statements, and accounts, monitoring their performance, approving bankers and internal and external auditors and the framework of governance. These are decisions the Council cannot delegate to other bodies across the University and they are outlined in the Charter.
It is also important to note that the Scheme of Delegation is a headline document that focuses on the final stages delegated decision making across the University. It does not look at Standing Committees of Senate and other University committees and the remit of their power and authority and is therefore not fully comprehensive in setting out all delegated decision-making in the University; it is itself subject to the Charter and Ordinances. In the event of any apparent or perceived conflict than the order of precedence to resolve such matters are:
Regulations and Policies of the University must be interpreted and read as subject to the delegated decision-making as set out above.
The University has a governing body known as the Council which is the supreme authority of the University. It is ultimately accountable for the conduct and activity of the University and its representatives; however, it can delegate some of its powers and duties to the bodies and positions set out below. It is responsible for approving the strategy, budgets, monitoring their performance and the framework of governance.
Accountable to the Council, the President and Vice-Chancellor has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the University including staff discipline and grievances. They are supported by the University Executive Board (UEB) which advises the President and Vice-Chancellor on developing and implementing strategy, operational plans, policies, procedures, and budgets. Under the President and Vice-Chancellor, sits the Vice-Presidents who are responsible for the leadership of their respective departments.
The Senate has delegated authority from the Council to regulate and be responsible for the education of students at the University. Deans are responsible for the leadership and overall management of their respective Faculties. Executive Directors provide the same service but for the Professional Services.
The tables below are organised into the following columns.
These are the powers that are delegated to the approving body/position.
This is the body or position that has been delegated responsibility to oversee the implementation of the delegated power and ensure it is used correctly and within the confines of the Charter and any legal or regulatory limits.
This is the body or position that has been delegated the responsibility to implement or enact the delegated power, within the same parameters as the previous column.
This is the primary body or position that can advise the approving body/position before a decision is made. They are usually specialists in the relevant field and so have a wealth of knowledge and contacts to help make an informed decision.
This column is used to outline any further information.
| Issue | Responsible for governance oversight (delegated from) | Responsible for approvals (delegated to) | First Point of Contact | Notes |
| Provision of Student Welfare Services | President and Vice-Chancellor | Vice-President (Operations) | Senior Executive Director (Deputy VP Operations) | Policy & regulatory aspects are delegated via the Education & Student Experience Committee. |
| Approval of Recruitment Plan | President and Vice-Chancellor | Planning & Resources Group (PRG) | Student Life Directorate | Student Recruitment & Management Group advises PRG. Sourced from PRG ToR: Action |
| Discipline of Students | Senate | Student Discipline Committee | Student Administration & Academic Affairs | Cases referred by Student Non-academic Misconduct Committee Sourced from Student Discipline Committee ToR: 1. Purpose |
| Student Experience and Wellbeing | Senate | Education and Student Experience Committee | Student Administration & Academic Affairs | Sourced from ESEC ToR 3. Education and Student Experience Programme Board report into ESEC |
| Establishment of Degrees | Council | Senate | Student Administration & Academic Affairs | Sourced from Statement of Senate's Primary Responsibilities |
| To regulate the teaching, study and examining of subjects | Senate | Education and Student Experience Committee | Student Administration & Academic Affairs | Sourced from: ESEC ToR 3. This is delegated to Academic Quality and Standards Subcommittee (AQSS) |
| Granting and revocation of Degrees, Diplomas Certificates, and other academic distinctions to those who have pursued a course of study and passed relevant examinations | Council | Senate | Student Administration & Academic Affairs | On recommendation of the Faculty concerned Sourced from Ordinances 11.1.1 |
| Decide the time and place of graduate ceremonies | Council | Senate | Student Administration & Academic Affairs | Sourced from Ordinances 11.3.1 |
| Approval of pass lists | Council | Senate | Student Administration & Academic Affairs | Lists first ratified by Faculty Board of Examiners first. Sourced from: Progression, Determination and Classification of Results |
| Design and approval and suspension of new courses / amendments to existing courses | Education & Student Experience Committee | Academic Quality and Standards Subcommittee | Quality Standards & Accreditation Team | Sourced from AQSS ToR |
| Approval of collaborative provision / academic partnerships | Senate | Education & Student Experience Committee | Quality Standards & Accreditation Team | Sourced from Education and Student Experience Committee ToR: (3.f) |
| Appoint examiners for taught programmes and taught parts of research programmes | Senate | School Programmes Committee | Student Administration & Academic Affairs | Sourced from School Programmes Committee ToR: Responsibilities and activity |
| Appointment of examiners for research degree programmes | Senate | Faculty Graduate School Committee | Student Administration & Academic Affairs | Sourced from Faculty Graduate School Committee ToR: Responsibilities and activity |
| Enter into agreements with UK parties governing the carrying out of education | Education & Student Experience Committee | President and Vice-Chancellor/Vice-President Education | Quality Standards & Accreditation Team | Delegation pursuant to Ordinance 7.8 (other than by Deed) |
| Enter into agreements with international partners governing the carrying out of education | Education & Student Experience Committee | President and Vice-Chancellor/Vice-President Education | International Office | Delegation pursuant to Ordinance 7.8 (other than by Deed) |
| Issue | Responsible for governance oversight | Responsible for approvals (delegated to) | First Point of Contact | Notes |
| Approves all new capital projects within an approved programme up to £5m per item and not within approved budgets up to £2.5m per item | Council | President and Vice-Chancellor | Executive Director of Estates & Facilities and Executive Director of Finance | Charter (7) states the President & VC is the 'principal academic and administrative officer of the University' Digital Projects are classified as capital. |
| Approves all new capital projects within an approved programme between £5 and £25m per item | Council | Finance Committee | Executive Director of Estates & Facilities and Executive Director of Finance | Council retains approval authority above £25m. |
| Responsible for approving any amendments to a previously approved capital project budget from £1m up to £5m or where a project up to £25m is exceeded by 10% | Council | Finance Committee | Executive Director of Estates & Facilities and Executive Director of Finance | Sourced from Finance Committee ToR: 3.3 Estates and Capital |
| Responsible for approving the acquisition of, disposal of and/or leasing arrangements of land and buildings in excess of £5m | Council | Finance Committee | Executive Director of Estates & Facilities and Executive Director of Finance | Council retains approval of any decisions above £25m with recommendation from Finance Committee. Sourced from Finance Committee ToR: 3.3 Estates and Capital |
| Approves the transaction to purchase, sale, exchange, lease or similar transactions for freeholds, leaseholds, sub-underleases and related activities of land and buildings up to £5m | Council | President and Vice-Chancellor | Executive Director of Estates & Facilities and Executive Director of Finance | See Charter (7) |
| Approves transactions to purchase, sale, exchange, lease or similar transactions for freeholds, leaseholds, sub-underleases and related activities of land and buildings between £5 and £25m | Council | Finance Committee | Executive Director of Estates & Facilities and Executive Director of Finance | |
| Enter into agreements to purchase, sell, exchange, lease, or similar transactions concerning freeholds, leasehold, sub-underleases, licenses and carrying out of works as concerns real estate | Vice-President Operations | Executive Director of Estates and Facilities | Estates & Facilities | Subject to having obtained the approvals of the relevant Committees of Council (or delegated body) as set out in this scheme of delegation. Delegation pursuant to Ordinance 7.8, (other than by Deed) |
| Issue | Responsible for governance oversight | Responsible for approvals | First Point of Contact | Notes |
| Primary responsibility for ensuring that proper accounting records are kept | Council | Executive Director of Finance | Finance Directorate | As per section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 – Duty to keep accounting records. |
| Approval amendments to Finance Regulations | Council | Finance Committee | Executive Director of Finance | Sourced from: Finance Committee ToR: (3.6 xx) |
| Approve fess chargeable by the University | Council | Finance Committee | Executive Director of Finance | Subject to changes in the statutory fee level being considered and recommended to Council Sourced from Finance Committee ToR: (3.4 xv) Student Fees Policy clarifies this includes Non-regulated tuition fees (including Premium fees) & student discounts and deposits. |
| Approve the writing-off of debts between £50,000 and £250,000 | Council | Finance Committee | Executive Director of Finance | Sourced from Finance Committee ToR: (3.5 xciii). Council retain approval for anything above £250,000 |
| Procurement of goods and services | Council | Executive Director of Finance | Head of Procurement | As per Financial Regulations and policies approved by Council |
| To give guarantees on behalf of the University | Council | Executive Director of Finance | Finance Directorate | As per Financial Regulations & Authorised signatories for contracts |
| To examine and approve any changes to intercompany loans or shareholdings, monitor changes to Directors and Board governance. | Council | Finance Committee | Executive Director of Finance | Sourced from Finance Committee ToR: (3.6 xxii) |
| Acceptance of gifts up to £99,999 | Council | Director of Development and Alumni Relations | Office of Development and Alumni Relations | Annual report to Finance Committee |
| Acceptance of gifts between £100,000 and £999,999 | Council | Gift Acceptance and Naming Committee | Office of Development and Alumni Relations | Annual report to Finance Committee on recommendation of Office of Development of Alumni Relations. |
| Acceptance of gifts over £1,000,000 | Council | Finance Committee | Office of Development and Alumni Relations | Approval from Finance Committee required after GANC has approved. Annual report to Council. |
| Issue | Responsible for governance oversight | Responsible for approvals | First Point of Contact | Notes |
| Execution of the responsibilities of the President and Vice-Chancellor | Council | President and Vice-Chancellor | Corporate Governance Services | The President and Vice-Chancellor is the principal Academic and Administrative Officer of the University, and as such acts as its chief executive officer and its accountable officer. Sourced from The Charter (7) Council delegates full authority to the President and Vice-Chancellor to act on its behalf in all matters relating to the organisation, direction, management and well-being of the university and the leadership of its staff, subject to principles set out. In carrying out their responsibilities, the President and Vice-Chancellor will consult, where necessary, with the Officers, and members of Council and their senior colleagues, but particularly in matters of novel or potentially contentious nature. |
| Freedom of Speech and matters of Academic Freedom | Council | Vice-President (Operations) | Legal Services | Sourced from Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom The Vice-President (Operations) is designated the 'Responsible Officer' |
| Accept service of legal proceedings on behalf of Council of the University or on the University and to have conduct over the resolution of disputes via alternative dispute resolution or via litigation (including the terms of settlement) concerning the University. | President and Vice-Chancellor | Vice-President (Operations) or Executive Director, Legal, Governance & Risk | Director of Legal Services | Only a senior solicitor or above in Legal Services is permitted to accept personal service on behalf of the University. |
| Issue | Responsible for governance oversight | Responsible for approvals | First Point of Contact | Notes |
| Establishment of, and monitoring the performance of, international campuses | Council | President and Vice-Chancellor | Vice-President (International & Engagement) | Sourced from Charter (7) |
| Approval of international collaborations for research & enterprise | Council | Vice-President (Research & Enterprise) | Research & Innovation Services | The Vice-President (Research & Enterprise) should consult with the President and Vice-Chancellor on significant transactions. |
| Issue | Responsible for governance oversight | Responsible for approvals | First Point of Contact | Notes |
| Approve the structure, establishment and winding up of all University trading entities as well as their disestablishment | Council | Finance Committee | President and Vice-Chancellor | Finance Committee ToR: (3.6 xxiv) |
| To take over or accept the transfer of the rights, properties, and liabilities of another institution. | Council | President and Vice-Chancellor | Legal Services | Sourced from The Charter (4m) |
| Issue | Responsible for governance oversight | Responsible for approvals | First Point of Contact | Notes |
| To enter into agreements governing the carrying out of research, consultancy, knowledge transfer, spin-out activities, and related activities. | Vice-President Research & Enterprise | Research & Innovation Services or Research Finance Hub | Research & Innovation Services | Sourced from Ordinance 7.8 |
| Research integrity and misconduct | Senate | Research Integrity & Governance Committee | Vice-President Research & Enterprise | Sourced from Research Integrity and Governance Committee ToR: 3. Responsibilities and activity |
| Research ethical approval | Senate | University Research Ethics Committee | Vice-President Research & Enterprise | Sourced from University Research Ethics Committee ToR: 3. Responsibilities and activity |
| Disposal and licensing of intellectual property | President and Vice-Chancellor | Knowledge Exchange & Enterprise Board | Research & Innovation Services | The President & Vice-Chancellor is advised by UEB. Finance committee should be informed if any single transaction goes above £5m. Sourced from Knowledge Exchange & Enterprise Board ToR |
| Issue | Responsible for governance oversight | Responsible for approvals | First Point of Contact | Notes |
| Appointment, re-appointment, and terms of appointment of Vice-Presidents and Deans of the Faculties | Council | President and Vice-Chancellor | HR - Talent and Resourcing Team | Delegation contained in Ordinance 5.7.1 (a) and (b) |
| Awarding title of Emeritus Professor or Fellow, Honorary Professor, Professor, Associate Professor or Lecturer | Council | President and Vice-Chancellor | HR - Reward and Recognition Team | Charter (7) states the President & VC is the 'principal academic and administrative officer of the University' |
| Determination of salaries and performance related pay for the Vice-Chancellor and other senior staff | Council | Remuneration Committee | Clerk to Renumeration Committee | Sourced from Renumeration Committee ToR: 3. Responsibilities and activity |
| Approval of the Framework for Senior Remuneration | Council | Remuneration Committee | Human Resources | Sourced from Renumeration Committee ToR: 3. Responsibilities and activity |
| Review and approve severance arrangements for senior post holders, Named Officer holders and any other employee paid a basic salary of £100,000 or more annum | Council | Remuneration Committee | Human Resources | Sourced from Renumeration Committee ToR: 3. Responsibilities and activity |
| Appointing members of the Committees of Council | Council | Nominations and Governance Committee | Governance Services | Audit and Risk Committee, Finance Committee, Remuneration Committee, Pensions Committee and Estates and Infrastructure Committee Sourced from Nominations and Governance Committee ToR: 3 |