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. External scrutiny 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 2024 edition can be found below.

 

Changes for the August 2024 edition include:

This is the list of changes made to the Quality Assurance regulations for 2024/25
This information is presented in rows section by section.
Section Changes
Throughout Document
  • Rename SAVP to Tier 1
  • Clarification of the role of the Dean in the QA process
  • Removal of Assistant Registrars, replacing Head of Quality Assurance and Head of Student Regulations & Casework where applicable.
Section B
  • Renaming SAVP to Tier 1 (Validation and Accreditation Panel)
  • Clarification of processes for confirming visa implications for new courses
  • Addition of requirement to confirm timetabling requirements with the Timetabling Manager.
Section D
  • Clarification of processes for confirming visa implications for new courses
  • Addition of requirement to confirm timetabling requirements with the Timetabling Manager.
Section G
  • Clarification of processes for confirming visa implications for new courses
  • Addition of requirement to confirm timetabling requirements with the Timetabling Manager.
Section I
  • Clarification of processes for confirming visa implications for new courses
Section N
  • Classification of Documentary requirements
  • Clarification of financial arrangements.
Section P
  • Update to EE tenures.
  • Clarification of roles in EE induction
Section S
  • Confirmation that a Single Award Cotutelle is separate from an External Supervisor arrangement. 
Appendix C
  • Update to Validation Timeline
Appendix J (NEW)
  • Addition of Single Cotutelle approval form.
Appendix K (NEW)
  • OfS Condition B1 Mapping Grid