Quality Assurance Committee

An extraordinary meeting of the Quality Assurance Committee will be held on Wednesday 16 April 2025 at 2:05pm – 3:55pm via Microsoft Teams and Committee Room 2, University Office.

Mr Liam Dyker, Administrative Officer

Clerk to the Quality Assurance Committee

(Email: liam.dyker2@abdn.ac.uk )

AGENDA

Previous Agendas

Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) Digest

This digest provides a short summary of the outcome of the meeting of the Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) held on 16 April 2025. Staff can access the full agendas and papers on the University website.

 Postgraduate Taught Entry Requirements

The Committee approved the changes to Postgraduate Taught Entry Requirements.

Qatar Admissions Protocol

The Committee approved a minor amendment to the Qatar Admissions Protocol.

Aberdeen International Study Centre: Medical Sciences Programme

The Committee approved the proposals for a Medical Sciences programme within the Aberdeen International Study Centre.

Education Policy & Regulations Review

• Assessment Taxonomy

The Committee approved the Assessment Taxonomy.

• Online Assessments Guidance

The Committee approved the Online Assessments Guidance.

• Examiners’ Meetings Procedures

The Committee approved the Examiners’ Meetings Procedures.

• Resolution for Changes to Regulations for Various Degrees

The QAC approved, for further consideration by the Senate, the Resolution for Changes to Regulations for Various Degrees.

Regulatory Matter in the Award of Credit

The QAC discussed and noted the paper in respect of the regulatory matter in the award of credit.

Academic Year Structure: Vacation Periods for Students

The Committee discussed the impacts of the academic year structure as implemented in academic year 2024/25 in relation to student vacation periods. The QAC discussed the activity that takes place for students in the period designated ‘marking time’ following the Term 2 assessment period.

External Quality Review

• Update on Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER)

The Committee heard an update on the ongoing work in relation to the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review, which is due to take place in February 2026.

• Update on Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP)

The Committee heard an update on Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme.

Deadlines for the Refusal of Class Certificates (2025/25)

The Committee approved, by routine approval, the deadlines for the refusal of class certificates for academic year 2025/26.

Creation of the Graduation Gown for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

The Committee approved, by routine approval, and for further consideration by the Senate, the creation of the graduation gown for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS).

Graduation In-Absentia Dates

The QAC approved, by routine approval, the amendments to the Graduation In-Absentia dates.

Report from the Academic Policy and Regulations Group

The Committee noted the report from the Academic Policy and Regulations Group.

PGT Portfolio Review

The Committee noted the paper in respect of the PGT Portfolio Review.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies

The Committee noted, as follows, the matters pertaining to the Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies:

• Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies Register
• Royal Society of Biology
• Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Matters Approved by Convenor’s Action and by Circulation

The Committee noted, as follows, the matters approved by Convenor’s Action and by Circulation:

• Contextual Admissions Policy
• Summer Graduations 2025 Schedule
• Business School Entry Requirements

Any questions regarding the Quality Assurance Committee digest should be sent to academicservices@abdn.ac.uk.

(To be reviewed annually at last meeting of committee cycle with proposed changes to be considered by Senate)

To be responsible to the Senatus Academicus for the strategic oversight of:

1. the quality assurance of undergraduate, postgraduate taught and taught elements of postgraduate research provision;
2. the development of policies and practices for the assurance of the quality of the University's education provisions, particularly in relation to the design, implementation, evaluation and review of mechanisms for the quality assurance and quality enhancement of education provision;
3. the safeguarding of academic standards.

The Quality Assurance Committee shall:

• In consultation with School Education Committees, and the Graduate School (PGR) as appropriate, review proposals for (a) the introduction of new courses and programmes of study (b) amendments to existing courses and programmes, and (c) the withdrawal of existing courses and programmes, and make appropriate recommendations;
• Approve changes to the Regulations for Certificates and Diplomas and to General and Supplementary Regulations for Degrees in advance of their incorporation into a formal draft Resolution for consideration by Senate;
• Oversee the quality assurance of taught courses and programmes through scrutiny of reports from the Annual Course Review (ACR) Exercise, Annual Programme Review (APR) Exercise, External Examiner Reports, Internal Teaching Review Reports and Reports from Professional, Statutory & Regulatory Bodies, as applicable; and address any policy issues that arise, as appropriate;
• Be responsible for co-ordinating a regular programme of Internal Teaching Reviews for monitoring and reviewing courses and programmes of study and consider and recommend to Senate revisions to the procedures for Internal Teaching Review, as necessary;
• Be responsible, on behalf of Senate, for the oversight of the University's engagement with the work of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), including Enhancement-led Institutional Review (ELIR);
• Informed by the work of the Academic Policy and Regulations Group, have oversight of the development, implementation and regular review of University policy relating to educational provision in regard to undergraduate, postgraduate taught and taught elements of postgraduate research provision ensuring their alignment to the QAA Quality Code, the wider Academic Infrastructure, legal compliance (e.g. equality, diversity and inclusion) and other relevant external reference points, seeking input from the University Education Committee, as appropriate, prior to recommending new policies or revisions to Senate for approval;
• Ensure that collaborative partnership agreements meet University quality assurance requirements and monitor the quality of provision provided by collaborative partners through the scrutiny of annual reports and recommend to Senate revisions to the procedures for the approval and oversight of collaborative provision, as necessary;
• In partnership with Aberdeen University Students' Association, ensure effective student engagement and representation of student voices in the University's quality framework;
• Monitor the quality of work-based learning provision and study abroad opportunities;
• Appoint from its membership, four members to serve on Senate, ex officio, as required;
• Oversee issues relating to student progress, including the establishment of Student Progress Committees and Fitness to Practise Committees, as appropriate, and make recommendations to the Senate for the discontinuation of attendance, as appropriate;
• Ensure regular review of academic appeals, complaints and academic discipline to identify any trends or issues which require to be addressed;
• Review annual reports from the Students' Progress Committee;
• Act on behalf of Senate, after consultation with Heads of School to: a. approve dates of terms; b. approve deadline for refusal of class certificates; c. approve deadlines for return of examination results; d. approve arrangements for graduation ceremonies; e. approve changes to minimum entry requirements.
• Work closely with the University Education Committee and its sub-committees in regard to any matters for which there are quality assurance implications;
• Undertake such other functions as may be referred to the Committee by Senate.

Members' Responsibilities:

Each member will ensure that they consult with their own School, through their School Education Committee and other forums, on relevant matters, and provide feedback into QAC which represents the views of their School. Each School member of the Quality Assurance Committee shall have delegated authority to have oversight, on behalf of the Quality Assurance Committee, for their area of responsibility.

Chair: Professor Steven Tucker

Clerk: Liam Dyker

Email: liam.dyker2@abdn.ac.uk

Attendance Records

Previous Attendance Records

• Attendance Records for 2020/21
• Attendance Records for 2019/20
• Attendance Records for 2018/19
• Attendance Records for 2017/18

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• QE-TNE Survey Response