quality and standards schedule of delegation: quality assurance … · 2019-11-19 · 1...
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Quality and Standards Schedule of delegation: quality assurance and academic standards 1 Introduction 1.1 This schedule sets out where key decisions are made on behalf of the University of
Brighton in relation to the academic standards and quality of its awards1 and to whom these decisions have been delegated.
1.2 Quality and Standards are responsible for ensuring that this schedule is reviewed.
2 Responsibilities, authority and delegation 2.1 The Academic Board is responsible to the Board of Governors for the enhancement
of academic quality and the assurance of academic standards relating to research, scholarship, teaching and courses at the university. Its responsibilities are primarily implemented through its four key strategic committees:
University Portfolio Planning Committee (UPPC)
University Education and Student Experience Committee (UESEC)
University Quality and Standards Committee (UQSC)
University Research and Enterprise Committee (UREC)
Further details of the terms of reference for committees can be found here. 2.2 The Framework for Academic Governance for the University indicates that the
‘principle of subsidiarity should be applied to ensure that decisions are taken at the most appropriate level in the structure and are not escalated inappropriately’.
Delegation creates the authority to carry out a task or to make a decision. The body to whom authority is delegated is accountable for the decisions they have been asked to make and should be confident of the scope of their authority. All decisions taken under delegated authority must be recorded.
2.3 This schedule identifies:
Final authority (approving body): the committee with ultimate authority to approve the activity or decision and for ensuring that the decision is made in accordance with the University’s procedures;
Delegated authority: the committee to which authority for the stated activity or decision has been delegated by the approving body and who is therefore authorised to act.
2.4 This schedule also notes where proposals are recommended for approval (i.e.
supported) by another committee/sub-committee or group as part of the ‘approval route’, where they themselves do not have the final authority, and where scrutiny takes place.
2.5 The schedule does not indicate where responsibility for developing policy or
proposals lies, as this is usually undertaken by University officers or groups. Policies and procedures that comprise the university’s quality assurance framework can be found from Quality and Standards pages
1 This schedule does not include approval authority for decisions in the areas of: capital programme and estates, finance, health and safety, human resources, information services, marketing and communications, student admission/recruitment, and academic governance (other than approval of committee trcms) or the approval of University Strategy
2
Key Decision/Activity
Final authority (approving body)
Delegated authority Recommendation route
Scrutiny/notes
Academic framework and regulations Establish academic policies, regulations and strategies for all taught and research programmes
AB
Approve major new policies in relation to academic standards and quality assurance
AB
UQSC
Determine and keep under review the curriculum framework. Approve Common Academic Framework
AB
UQSC
Determine and keep under review academic regulations (taught and research):
General Examination and Assessment Regulations for taught courses
2 (GEAR)
Code of Practice for Research Degrees/ Regulations for Research Degrees
AB
UQSC
DCB
R&S approves GEAR minor/editorial changes
Approve academic regulations for BSMS:
BM BS Programme Examination and Assessment Regulations (PEAR)
Postgraduate Taught Examination and Assessment Regulations (PGTEAR)
Regulations for research degrees in BSMS AB (UoB)/Senate (UoS) UQSC (UoB)/LTC (UoS) JARB BSMS AB
Approve Joint Award Regulations AB (UoB)/Senate (UoS)
UQSC (UoB)/LTC (UoS) JARB
Approve variation from University regulations UQSC
Approve procedures for the expulsion of students for academic reason
AB
Ensure that the University has an appropriate academic appeals procedure
AB
2 Includes mitigating circumstances procedure, academic misconduct procedure, academic appeals procedure and terms of reference of examination boards (exam boards
operate with delegated authority of and are responsible to the AB)
3
Key Decision/Activity
Final authority (approving body)
Delegated authority Recommendation route
Scrutiny/notes
Decide whether there is a case for appeal by student against exam board decision
AB
AAC
Monitor the conduct and outcomes of academic appeals
AB
Annual report on cases
Determine and oversee policies and processes for the assessment of students including examination boards
AB
UQSC
Approve the Assessment Policy AB UQSC
Approve exam board constitution and membership (UoB and partner institutions)
AB
UQSC (or nominee
3)
SQSC/FEC Sub-committee (partner FECs)
Annual report on exam boards to AB MCC acts on behalf of CEBs in School
Approve exam board constitution and membership for joint awards and BSMS
AB(UoB)/Senate(UoS)
UQSC (UoB) /LTC(UoS) JARB
Approve exam board constitution and membership for programmes delivered within the International College
AB
UQSC ICJAB
Determine and oversee appointment (reallocation and extension), induction, dismissal of external examiners for taught courses (UoB and partner institutions)
AB
UQSC SCEEN
Q&S check compliance
SQSC scrutiny of nominations/HE College Boards scrutiny of nominations for FECs Confirmation of external examiner reports received/action to AB
Approve appointment of external examiners for research degrees
AB
DCB DCESC
DCB - considers issues from ee reports
Approve joint appointments of external examiners for joint awards (includes BSMS)
AB(UoB)/Senate(UoS)
UQSC (UoB) /TLC(UoS) JARB
Approve appointment of external examiners for research degrees within BSMS
AB(UoB)/TLC(UoS)
JRDAB
3 Quality and Standards Advisor (Quality and Standards) to specified criteria
4
Key Decision/Activity
Final authority (approving body)
Delegated authority Recommendation route
Scrutiny/notes
Approve appointment of external examiners for International College programmes
AB
UQSC ICJAB
Curriculum development and approval Ratification of new HE qualifications for award by the university and the withdrawal of HE qualifications currently awarded
BoG
AB UPPC
Approve major new policies in relation to portfolio development
AB
UPPC
Determine policy related to academic planning and development
AB
UPPC
AB advises BoG/VC on the development and future direction of university’s academic activities, including resources required
Approve Course Development Policy AB UPPC
Approve proposed new courses for development, new course titles and withdrawal of award titles for all taught programmes (includes collaborative provision)
AB
UPPC
SMG signs off proposals for new course/ collaborative developmts DVC approval to proceed FEC provision/FECSC JARB proposals on joint courses
HE College Board scrutiny of proposed course (FECs)
Determine and oversee arrangements for the approval of taught provision and collaborative provision (validation)
AB
UQSC
SQSC scrutiny of course outlines/ validation proposals/ partnership proposals UQSC receives annual confirmation of fulfilment of validation conditions
Determine and oversee arrangements for the withdrawal of taught provision and collaborative provision
AB
UQSC/UPPC
5
Key Decision/Activity
Final authority (approving body)
Delegated authority Recommendation route
Scrutiny/notes
Approve major course changes:
Change to course title
Introduction of intermediate award title(s)
Intermediate award become stand-alone award
Change to or withdrawal of mode of study
Change which affects course within CAF
Permanent or temporary withdrawal of course
Reintroduction of temporarily withdrawn course
Change to delivering institution or collaboration with another institution in delivery
Addition of specialist language provision title (EMA)
AB
UPPC
SQSC FECSC (FEC provision)
Nature and level of changes to validated courses determined by Chair SQSC
Approve major course changes:
change to aims, structure or learning outcomes
change to progression requirements
introduction of new core module(s)
approval of new modules
withdrawal of modules
re-designation of optional module as mandatory/ compulsory
introduction/alternation of a placement/study abroad element UQSC
SQSC FECSC (FEC provision)
HoS approval to proceed for new modules
SQSC scrutiny of course changes/PS
Approve major module changes:
Change to level or credit weighting
Change to assessment strategy (e.g. mode of assessment or weighting of assessment components)
Change to mode of delivery
Change to pre-requisite/ co-requisite modules
Change to learning/ teaching or assessment information used in the LTA data
Change to aims/learning outcomes
Significant change to content
Significant change to teaching and learning UQSC SQSC FECSC (FEC provision)
SQSC scrutiny of module changes
6
Key Decision/Activity
Final authority (approving body)
Delegated authority Recommendation route
Scrutiny/notes
Approve minor changes to courses:
Introduction or withdrawal of optional modules where the course learning outcomes are not affected and where student choice is not significantly reduced
Approve minor changes to modules: Change to module title
Publication of new key text in module specification
Courses for which module is appropriate
Minor changes to teaching and learning
Minor adjustments to content
School home
Entry criteria
UQSC
SQSC FECSC (FEC provision)
Oversight for the commissioning of new areas for apprenticeship developments and new apprenticeship titles joining the University’s portfolio) UPPC
Approve the development of apprenticeships UPPC AAP
Approve apprenticeship courses for delivery UQSC AAP
Approve changes to programmes at the International College AB
UQSC ICJAB
Approve International College articulation routes with UoB programmes AB
UQSC ICJAB
Curriculum monitoring and review Determine and oversee arrangements for monitoring the quality and standards of taught, research and collaborative provision – academic health
AB
UQSC
SQSC- oversight of school scrutiny of course and school AH FECSC – partner FEC reports ICJAB - IC annual programme reports DC - AH reports
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Key Decision/Activity
Final authority (approving body)
Delegated authority Recommendation route
Scrutiny/notes
Determine and oversee arrangements for the periodic review of taught provision and collaborative provision
AB
UQSC
SQSC scrutiny of PR information UQSC receives annual report on PR outcomes UPPC receives outcomes of subject reviews
Partnership
Approve procedures for the development and review of academic partnership arrangements AB
UQSC PARSC
FECSC on university policy and procedures (partner FEC provision) SOPSC on university policy and procedures (specialist & overseas PI provision)
PARSC receives reports from reviews of academic partnerships
Approve proposals for new academic partnership activities and renewal of existing partnership activities AB
UQSC PARSC
New partnerships reported to AB/BoG
Develop and approve strategies for academic partnership working
AB
UQSC PARSC
Research and Enterprise Approve major new policies in relation to research and enterprise
AB
UREC
Develop policy relating to the management, operation and development of research and enterprise
AB
UREC
Approve new modules and major changes to existing modules for the University Researcher Development Framework AB
UREC DCB
Consider proposals for collaborative and joint research degrees AB
UREC DCB
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Key Decision/Activity
Final authority (approving body)
Delegated authority Recommendation route
Scrutiny/notes
Recommend actions to ensure research and enterprise policies and practices are adhered to
AB
UREC
REISC approves minor amendments to policies and procedures related to REI
Approve establishment of R&E Futures and Centres of Excellence for Research and Enterprise
AB
UREC
Oversee the implementation of the Concordat for the career development for researchers
AB
UREC
PSRB Monitor effectiveness of processes for accreditation of programmes by PSRBs
AB
UQSC
SQSC oversees arrangements for meeting PSRB requirements
Maintain an overview of PSRB requirements in relation to the quality of academic provision
AB
UQSC
SQSC notes outcomes/ responses of PSRB engagements Annual report on engagement with PSRBs to AB
4
ICJAB ensures PSRB requirements met for IC
Student Engagement and Student Experience Ensure mechanisms in place to secure and respond to student feedback
AB
UQSC
SSOG/SSSG
UESEC oversees and monitors collection, analysis, response to student feedback through surveys
Approve Student Engagement in Quality Policy (including UoB Course Representation Policy)
AB
UQSC
Oversee university processes for engagement with students
AB
UESEC
SEG
4 AB oversees the University’s relationship with PSRBs in relation to the quality of academic provision
9
Key Decision/Activity
Final authority (approving body)
Delegated authority Recommendation route
Scrutiny/notes
Approve of Student Engagement Plan AB UESEC
Approve of Student Charter AB UEB/SU executive
Keep under reviews the quality of the student experience AB
Learning and Teaching Approve major new policies in relation to learning, teaching and student experience
AB
UESEC
Determine policy and procedures for the delivery of curriculum, the provision of learning support and development of the VLE
AB
UESEC
BLG
Oversee and monitor student retention, progression and achievement, particularly for underrepresented groups
AB
UQSC/UESEC
WiPAT
Approve Personal Academic Tutoring Policy AB UESEC
Approve Student Complaints Resolution procedure BoG AB
Annual report on cases to AB
Approve Student Disciplinary procedure
5 BoG
SAC(BoG) for appeals against exclusion on disciplinary grounds
Approve Fitness to Practise procedure BoG
Approve Erasmus+ policies AB UQSC
Responsible for establishing procedures for the award of professorships
AB
HR
AB receives trcm of Professional Board for information
5 Includes exclusion of a student for indebtedness
10
Key Decision/Activity
Final authority (approving body)
Delegated authority Recommendation route
Scrutiny/notes
Advise on the University’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) submission and other national initiatives
AB
UESEC
Information
Determine policy for assuring the completeness, accuracy and reliability of information provided to applicants and students
AB
UQSC
CMA/Unistats group
Admissions Approve criteria for admission of students
AB
Determine policy governing for the admission of students, including general entry requirements
AB
UQSC
Approve Admissions Policy
AB
UQSC
Determine policy for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
AB
UQSC
Academic Governance Develop, monitor and review the effectiveness of the academic committee structure, including the appropriateness of the Board’s communication and reporting mechanisms with its committees, BoG, VC and the University’s management structures
AB
Approve the University’s Statutory and General Regulations BoG
Approve AB trcms BoG
Annually at first meeting of academic year
Approve AB sub-committee trcms, including Academic Appeals Committee and Honorary Awards Board AB
Annually at first meeting of academic year
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Key Decision/Activity
Final authority (approving body)
Delegated authority Recommendation route
Scrutiny/notes
Ensure that appropriate consideration is given within all committee papers to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between different groups of people AB
Equality Impact Review on committee papers
Receive reports from its committee in a format agreed by the Board at regular intervals or periodically as requested by the Board AB
Honorary awards
Determine award of Honorary Degrees, Honorary University Fellowships, Honorary Visiting Fellowships
AB
HAB (for Honorary Visiting Fellowships)
HAB for Honorary Degrees, Honorary University Fellowships SMG for Honorary Visiting Fellowships
SMG recommend nominations for Honorary Degrees, Honorary University Fellowships to HAB
Approve Honorary School Fellowships, Honorary Lecturer appointments
SMG
Reported to HAB
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Key AAC Academic Appeals Committee AAP Apprenticeship Approval Panel AB Academic Board BLG Blended Learning Group BoG Board of Governors BSMS Brighton and Sussex Medical School CEB Course Examination Board DCB Doctoral College Board DCESC Doctoral College Examinations Sub-committee DVC Deputy Vice-Chancellor EMA Extended Masters Award FECSC FEC Sub-committee HAB Honorary Awards Board HR Human Resources ICJAB International College Joint Academic Board JARB Joint Approval and Review Board JRDAB Joint Research Degrees Approval Board MCC Mitigating circumstances sub-committee PARSC Partner Approval and Review Sub-committee PS Programme Specification Q&S Quality and Standards R&S Registrar and Secretary REISC Research Ethics and Integrity Sub-committee SAC Student Appeals Committee SQSC School Quality and Standards Committee (formerly SASC) SBoS School Board of Study SCEEN Sub-committee for external examiner nominations SEG Student Engagement Group SMG School Management Group SSSG Student Survey Steering Group SSOG Student Survey Operational Group UEB University Executive Board UESEC University Education and Student Experience Committee UPPC University Portfolio Planning Committee UQSC University Quality and Standards Committee UREC University Research and Enterprise Committee WiPat Widening Participation Action Group
Owner Quality and Standards (Engagement and Information)
Version number 1.0
Version History (most recent first)
Version Summary of change(s) Author Date
1.1
Date approved July 2018
Approved by Senior Assistant Registrar (Quality Assurance & Enhancement)
Implementation date October 2018
Date of next review October 2021