QA and validation guidance for PGR courses

QA and Validation guidance for Postgraduate Research courses

Provided below are a number of useful pro forma and guidance documents that aim to ensure a smooth validation process for Postgraduate Research degrees:

Document title	Pro forma	Guidance document	Additional information
Validation Proposal Form		PGR Validation Proposal form	If you have an amendment to an existing course or module or a proposal for a new course or route, please complete this form and submit to your School quality assurance contact who will progress it for you. Please ensure you complete all of the fields.
Validation Checklist		PGR Validation Checklist	Utilising this checklist throughout the document preparation process will ensure that consideration of base-line quality assurance issues can be minimised at the validation event, allowing an increased focus on matters of pedagogical interest and concern
Inclusive Design Checklist		Inclusive Design Checklist	Please complete the checklist in the early stages of course design to support the development of inclusive course content, delivery and assessment design and strategy. This forms part of the University’s Inclusivity Framework for Course Design
EdD PSD	EdD PSD Template		PSD template for the EdD
MA by Research PSD	MA by Research PSD Template		PSD template for the MA by Research
MSc by Research PSD	MSc by Research PSD Template		PSD template for the MSc by Research
PhD PSD	PhD PSD Template		PSD template for PhD
PGR validation process		QA procedures - section P	Guidance for the PGR validation process
PGR Guidelines for alternative format		Guidelines for alternative format research degrees	Guidelines for PGR alternative assessment
Marketing Approval		Marketing Information for Course Validation Guidance	Marketing approval must be obtained before the validation proposal can be added to the schedule for all new courses. To be completed and submitted to Marketing for approval - confirmation is required from Marketing that there are no perceived issues. Some details included within this document may also appear within the rationale document.
Validation Principles and Guidance		Validation Principles and Guidance	Validation of new courses and changes to existing courses are governed by the University's Regulations for Awards and Quality Assurance Procedures for Taught Courses, the following guidance provides supplementary information for School Teaching and Learning Committees and School Validation Panels on the practical operation of these procedures.
Module Specification Document (MSD)	Module Specification Template	Module Specification Guidance	The pro forma has been modified to include sections on tutor re-assessment and anonymous marking. Teaching and Learning Definitions have also been added.
QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)		Qualifications and Credit Frameworks	This framework describes the achievement represented by higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
QAA Characteristics Statement		QAA Characteristics Statements	PGR course benchmark against the QAA Characteristics
QAA Quality Code, Advice and Guidance - Assessment 29 November 2018		Quality Code, Advice and Guidance - Assessment
QAA Quality Code, Advice and Guidance - Course Design and Development 29 November 2018		Quality Code, Advice and Guidance - Course Design and Development
Distance Learning	APPENDIX G Research Degree by DL Approval Proforma	QA procedures - section Q	Guidance on the delivery of Research degrees by Distance Learning.
VAL1		VAL 1	For completion when a course utilises modules provided by another School
Responses to Conditions and Recommendations Form	Responses to Validation Conditions Form.doc		Please complete and return to the validation event officer together with the revised documentation that should be updated using tracked changes.
Process guidance for virtual validation meetings		Validation guide for virtual meetings	Please see the guide for information on how we have adapted some of our university validation procedures to support the remote working required during the Covid-19 emergency
Validation step overview			A step by step overview of the validation process for proposers.
CMA Guidance		CMA Guidance February 2016	The Competition and Markets Authority guidance document
CMA Risk Assessment		CMA Risk Assessment	The Competition and Markets Authority Risk Assessment form
Validation Panel member roles and responsibilities		Roles and Responsibilities of Validation Panel Members	Guide to the Validation Panel member roles and responsibilities
Exit strategy for terminating courses		Exit strategy for terminating courses	Guidance on the University’s responsibilities and commitments to students on terminating courses

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QA and Validation guidance for Postgraduate Research courses