Quality & Standards at the University of Northampton Dr Anne Craven, Head of Quality and Academic Partnerships, 24/04/2014

What is Quality? How well the university supports students in their learning Through teaching Through support Through resources How students are assessed How Best possible experience Student Satisfaction

What are standards? Level of achievement students need to succeed on their course and get their qualification. Systems and procedures in place with internal and external scrutiny HOW Quality assurance is ultimately all about maintaining standards and ensuring students have the best possible experience at university or college. Student Satisfaction

Importance of Quality at UN Student Experience Validation & Review External Scrutiny Student Voice Partnerships Committees Published Information

Engaging Staff (1) Does Quality matter to me in my role at the University?

Engaging Staff (2) Quality Matters Greatly To University, School and Staff Team

Engaging Staff/Processes such as CAIeRO (Creating Aligned Interactive educational Resource Opportunities)

Quality & Academic Partnerships QAP Validation & Review Curriculum Team Student Voice Embedded Quality Officers Working with Others – UK & International partnerships External Scrutiny (External Examiners & PSRBs)

What is Validation? Development of programmes, strategies and ideas Development Approval Process Approval of new programmes and modules External scrutiny Validation Approval of changes to existing provision Input from External Examiners Input from current students Change of Approval

What is a Periodic Subject Review? Function Scope The process by which the University assures the quality and standards of its provision Student-focused initiatives. Innovative teaching & learning. Subject team strategy, including staff development and research activity PSR Happens on a 5 year cycle Standards of every credit bearing programme

Why is PSR Important to the University? Satisfies Quality Assurance Agency regulations An opportunity to engage with external voices A chance to reflect on team strategy A chance to share good practice Opportunity to involve students directly in quality processes

Embedded Quality Officers Aileen – School of Arts & School of Science and Technology Lyndsey – School of Education & School of Health Julie – Northampton Business School & School of Social Sciences Julie Williamson Aileen Cowan Lyndsey Williams

External Examiners Who are they? Qualified & experienced academics (or professionals) from other institutions give an independent view to assure: The University Our students Prospective students PSRBs Other stakeholders QAA What they do Comment on good practice worth sharing Identify areas for enhancement Advise on curriculum development Summarise trends over a 4 year period

Student Engagement 21 st Century Students Stakeholder? Engagement Dialogue

Curriculum Team (CT) Maintain Curriculum information Work closely with other QAP members Maintenance of variety of databases

Responsibilities of CT Maintain ADS QLX KIS database (Admissions) SLC database (collaborative working with SATs, Finance) Policing & documenting the University Supplementary Regulations Produce and Maintain Programme Specs Award maps Module Specs Module Catalogue Deal with Change of Approval requests Preparation for PSR & Validation events

KIS Key Information Sets Meeting student’s information needs UNISTATS Draws together data from a variety of sources Covers every undergraduate programme of more than 1 year duration

PSRBs Accreditation by Professional Statutory & Regulatory Bodies Essential for professional registration Offers exemption from professional exams for successful students Give students an edge in employability stakes Confer eligibility for membership

UK Strategic Partnerships

HE Provision in Northamptonshire LEICESTER * PETERBOROUGH  University Centre Peterborough NORTHAMPTON * UN Park * UN Avenue  Northampton College  Moulton College COVENTRY *  Coventry University College WARWICK *  University Campus MK  Milton Keynes College DAVENTRY  Northampton College CORBY  Tresham KETTERING  Tresham WELLINGBOROUGH  Tresham MILTON KEYNES CRANFIELD * * University Provision  HE in FE  University College/Centre/Campus

QAA Higher Education Review 2015 Setting and maintaining threshold academic standards of awards Quality of students’ learning opportunities Quality of information about higher education provision Enhancement of students’ learning opportunities Meet UK expectations Requires improvement to meet UK expectations Does not meet UK expectations Commended (for academic standards only)

‘Mock’ QAA to carry HE Review w/c 16 th June 2014 QAA to carry out desk-based analysis in June/July 2015 Key documents Self Evaluation Document Key documents Student written submission ‘REAL’ QAA HER to take place in Autumn term of 2015 Panel will comprise of 5/6 members including a student reviewer Panel will wish to talk to specific academic staff, external examiners Final report will be published 12 weeks after visit

Conclusion Quality DOES Matter!

THANK YOU! Anne Craven Head of Quality & Academic Partnerships Anne Craven Head of Quality & Academic Partnerships Vivien Houghton Quality Officer Student Voice and Externality Vivien Houghton Quality Officer Student Voice and Externality Tanya Osborne Quality Officer (Validation & Review) Tanya Osborne Quality Officer (Validation & Review) Kevin Carroll Senior Quality Officer (UK Partnerships) Kevin Carroll Senior Quality Officer (UK Partnerships) Judith Allibone Senior Quality Officer (Development) Judith Allibone Senior Quality Officer (Development) Pam Dimmock Quality Coordinator Pam Dimmock Quality Coordinator Aileen Cowan School Quality Officer (SOS&T & SOTA) Aileen Cowan School Quality Officer (SOS&T & SOTA) Julie Williamson School Quality Officer (NBS/SOSS) Julie Williamson School Quality Officer (NBS/SOSS) Lyndsey Williams School Quality Officer (SOE/SOH) Lyndsey Williams School Quality Officer (SOE/SOH) Matthew Watson Senior Quality Officer (QAA Institutional Facilitator) Matthew Watson Senior Quality Officer (QAA Institutional Facilitator) Mandy Smith Curriculum Team Leader Mandy Smith Curriculum Team Leader Sarah McGarry Curriculum Team Coordinator Sarah McGarry Curriculum Team Coordinator Liana Turner Curriculum Team Administrator Liana Turner Curriculum Team Administrator Kate Toal Curriculum Team Administrator Kate Toal Curriculum Team Administrator Lisa Irons Curriculum Team Coordinator Lisa Irons Curriculum Team Coordinator