Evaluation and Revalidation Briefing Seminar

7 October 2015

Programme

• Welcome and context• Evaluation and revalidation• Learner-centred curriculum• Student experience principles• Student perspective• Experiences from both sides of the table

Standards Assurance

External• National benchmarks – the Quality Code • PSRBs

Internal• Committees• Rules and regulations• Approval processes• Staff appointment and development• Monitoring• External examiners

University Context

• Corporate Plan

Professional education for professional life

… high quality, flexible, student-centred programmes of study that are intellectually challenging, which provide … opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to gain stimulating and fulfilling employment and to contribute to the advancement of their … profession, and to … undertake advanced study and/or research …

• Graduate Qualities

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Goal: to lead innovation in learning through flexible, inclusive and accessible provision

Aims: • learning opportunities which are flexible, responsive to, and

inclusive of, the needs of students, professions, industry and the wider community

• transformative, high quality, learning experiences through the promotion of meaningful staff student partnerships that engender a shared responsibility 

Learning and Teaching Strategy

• to enhance Ulster’s role as a sector leader for student employability as an integral part of the wider student experience

Enabling aim: • a supportive environment, in which innovative

approaches to learning, teaching and leadership are encouraged, recognised, valued and rewarded, for all staff and students 

Other Strategies

• Research and Innovation Strategy

to apply knowledge and expertise to support teaching

• Widening Access and Participation Strategy

… modular based programmes …

• Internationalisation Strategy

… internationalising the curriculum …

Review of Procedures

• Internal review of validation processes and regulations 2007 – 2009

• Annual Review

Institutional Audit 2010

• QAA report published in July 2010• Points for Commendation• Recommendations

www.qaa.ac.uk - institution reviews and reports

Points for Commendation

“… the course approval system is robust and rigorous whilst allowing innovation and creativity.”

“… the focus on academic standards is manifest …”

“… comprehensive information … thorough reports … meticulous scrutiny … the Academic Office add[s] considerable value to the process.”

“…the new rules for awarding a pass have the potential to provide greater robustness in the maintenance of academic standards and transparent equity for students.”

Recommendations

“… consider ways to extend active participation of students in the quality assurance of educational provision.”

“… make the connection between teaching and research a more explicit facet of … evaluation and review processes.”

Internal Audit

• Course validation processes 2011• Accreditation processes 2012• Standards assurance and quality management 2015

• Substantial Confidence