Quality assurance procedures: Introduction

Introduction

This handbook provides a short guide to the procedures which the University’s Teaching and Learning Committee, University Research Committee, Graduate Board and Senate have adopted for the validation and annual evaluation of courses, programmes of study and research awards, including those validated by external bodies, and for the review of teaching, research and academic support services. The procedures have been developed and align with the UK Quality Code for Higher Education (the Quality Code), as published by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), to ensure that academic standards are set at a level which meets the UK threshold standard for the qualification concerned. It is aimed at academic and administrative staff and those at Collaborating Institutions. A separate document has been produced by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor covering the financial arrangement for collaborative provision, copies of which can be obtained from the Registry Officer (Quality Assurance).

 

School Reviews

The evaluation of the strategic direction and performance of Schools within the University and the audit of the operation of their quality assurance and enhancement arrangements along with an examination of its assessment, teaching and learning and research strategies is undertaken through mechanisms including Quality Appraisals, Subject Review, PSRB Reviews, OfS and UNIAC audits and most regularly through the mechanism of the Annual Planning Round. Externality to the process is provided through the periodic audits of OfS and PSRBs to which all Schools are exposed.

 

Service Reviews

The evaluation of the strategic direction and performance of the Services within the University and the audit of the operation of its quality assurance and enhancement arrangements is undertaken through mechanisms including Quality Appraisals, UNIAC audits and most regularly through the mechanism of the Annual Planning Round. 

 

Emergency Procedures

There may be times, because of exceptional circumstances beyond our reasonable control, when the University is unable to apply the approved Quality Assurance Procedures. In these circumstances, emergency procedures may be approved by the University Teaching & Learning Committee for a duration as determined by the Vice Chancellor (or nominee).

Variations to the procedures may involve alteration of processes or the use of measures designed to support virtual or on-line processes in instances where it may not be possible to hold face-to-face events. Once approved, any emergency procedures will be circulated to stakeholders as appropriate and will be made available on the Registry website.

 

Further Information

Users of the handbook who require further information on any point should consult the Assistant Registrar (Quality Assurance) or staff in the Registry in the first instance. Further information is also available from the Registry website.

Throughout this handbook the Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for curriculum delivery, and quality assurance and enhancement is referred to as the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning). The Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for Research Awards is referred to as the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise).

The Changes included in the August 2022 edition can be found below.

 

Changes for the August 2022 edition include:

This is the list of changes made to the Quality Assurance regulations for 2021/22
This information is presented in rows section by section.
SectionChanges
Throughout Document
  • Standing Committee for Degree Apprenticeships renamed as Standing Committee for Apprenticeships in line with SDA decision.
Section B
  • Updates and clarification of documentation required for validation events
  • Clarification of guidance on the title of a course of study
  • Updated guidance on event types
Section D
  • Addition of reference to University Template document
Section E
  • Revisions and updates to the approval of Non-credit bearing courses including clarification of documentary requirements
Section G
  • Clarification of the function of Subject Review
Section I

Addition of the definition of Cotutelle (Dual Award)
Section L

Updates to include PGR provision within the AE processes
Section M

Inclusion of reference to pre-CABs
Section N

Updates to the appointment criteria for examiners for research degrees
Section O Updates to DA processes and documentary requirements
Section P Minor updates to PGR validation processes for clarification
Section Q
  • Minor updates to PGR by DL processes for clarification
  • Deletion of section to reflect new PGR Regulations
Section R

Addition of Approval of Dual Award Cotutelle arrangements (Individual and Multiple Candidate)
Section S *** New Section*** The Validation of Short Courses (Credit Bearing)
Appendix H

Dual Award Cotutelle Request Proforma
Appendix I

PGR Dual Award Cotutelle Flow Chart