- Agenda
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A meeting of the Quality Assurance Committee will be held on Wednesday 25 September 2024 at 2:05pm in Committee Room 2, University Office and via Microsoft Teams.
Mr Liam Dyker, Administrative Officer
Clerk to the Quality Assurance Committee
(Email: liam.dyker2@abdn.ac.uk )
AGENDA
1. Approval of the Minute of the QAC Meeting Held on 15 May 2024 (QAC/250924/001) 2. Matters Arising and Action Log (QAC/250924/002) 3. Enhancing the Return of the Course Overall Grade from MyAberdeen to Student Records ( QAC/250924/003 ) Members of the Committee are invited to discuss the paper in respect of enhancing the return of the overall course grade from MyAberdeen to Student Records. 4. Committee Governance Members of the Committee are invited to (i) approve the Remit and Composition for 2024/25, and (ii) nominate and approve appointments to the Academic Policy and Regulations Group; and Senate. (i) Remit and Composition 2024/25 ( QAC/250924/004 ) (ii) Appointments to Academic Policy and Regulations Group (Oral Item) (iii) Appointments to Senate (Oral Item) 5. Business from the Academic Policy and Regulations Group Members of the Committee are invited to approve (i) Remit and Composition 2024/24; (ii) the Annual Course Review proforma templates for use in 2024/25, and (iii) the Resolution for Changes to Regulations for Various Degrees. An update will be provided on the transition to the new UK Quality Code. (i) Remit and Composition 2024/25 ( QAC/250924/005 ) (ii) Annual Course Review Proforma Templates ( QAC/250924/006 ) (iii) Resolution for Changes to Regulations for Various Degrees ( QAC/250924/007 ) (iv) Transition to New UK Quality Code (Oral Item) 6. Update on Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework and Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (Oral Item) Members of the Committee will hear an update on the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) and Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER). 7. Education Policy and Regulations Review Schedule (QAC/250924/008) Members of the Committee are invited to discuss the Education Policy and Regulations Review Schedule 2024/25. 8. External Examining in the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition ( QAC/250924/009 ) Members of the Committee are invited to discuss and note the paper in respect of External Examining in the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition. 9. Partnerships and Collaborative Provision Approvals (Oral Item) Members of the Committee will hear an update on the approach to approvals of partnerships and collaborative provision for implementation in 2024/25. 10. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Monday 11 November 2024 at 1:05pm in Committee Room 2, University Office or via Microsoft Teams. 11. Items for Routine Approval - see below 12. Items for Information - see below Any member of the Committee wishing an item for routine approval or for information to be brought forward for discussion may ask at the meeting for that to be done. Any such item will be taken after item 1.
Declaration of interests: Any member and individual in attendance (including Officers) who has a clear interest in a matter on the agenda should declare that interest at the relevant meeting, whether or not that interest is already recorded in the Registry of Member's interests.
FOR ROUTINE APPROVAL
11.1 Students' Progress Committee Remit and Compositions 2024/25 Members of the Committee are invited to approve, by routine approval, the Students' Progress Committee Remits and Compositions. (i) Students' Progress Committee ( QAC/250924/010 ) (ii) Students' Progress Committee (Medicine & Dentistry) ( QAC/250924/011 ) 11.2 Fitness to Practise Committee Remit and Compositions 2024/25 Members of the Committee are invited to approve, by routine approval, the Students' Progress Committee Remits and Compositions. (i) Fitness to Practise Committee (Education) ( QAC/250924/012 ) (ii) Fitness to Practise Committee (Medicine & Dentistry) ( QAC/250924/013 ) 11.3 Student Monitoring Key Dates 2024/25 ( QAC/250924/014 ) Members of the Committee are invited to approve, by routine approval, the key dates for Student Monitoring in 2024/25. 11.4 Winter Graduations 2024 (QAC/250924/025) Members of the Committee are invited to approve, by routine approval, the ceremony list for Winter Graduations 2024. 11.5 QAA UK Quality Code Mapping Members of the Committee are invited to approve, by routine approval, the amendments to the QAA UK Quality Code Mapping. (i) Section 2: Assessment ( QAC/250924/015 ) (ii) Section 3: Concerns, Complaints & Appeals ( QAC/250924/016 ) (iii) Section 6: External Expertise ( QAC/250924/017 ) FOR INFORMATION
121.1 Report from Academic Policy and Regulations Group (APRG) ( QAC/250924/018 ) Members of the Committee are invited to note the report from the Academic Policy and Regulations Group (APRG). 12.2 Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) Members of the Committee are invited to note the matters pertaining to Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies. (i) IEMA (Biological Sciences) (QAC/250924/019) (ii) General Dental Council (MMSN) (QAC/250924/020) (iii) Health & Care Professions Council (MMSN) (QAC/250924/021) 12.3 Matters Approved by Circulation / Convenor's Action Members of the Committee are invited to note the matters approved by circulation or Convenor's Action. (i) eQAC: Annual and Periodic Review and Partnerships ( QAC/250924/022 ) (ii) International Recruitment - Impact for September 2024 ( QAC/250924/023 ) (iii) Wildlife and Conservation Management Articulation Pathway ( QAC/250924/024 )
(iv) Term Dates for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Amendment of the Year 4 Term 3 closing date from Friday 4 July 2025 to Friday 16 May 2025. (v) MSci in Counselling Psychology Retitle Retitling the MSci in Counselling Psychology to MSci in Counselling, Psychology and Education. - Previous Agendas
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Previous Agendas
2023/24 2022/23 2021/22 2020/21 - Current Digest
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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 25 September 2024. Staff can access the full agendas and papers on the University website .
Enhancing the Return of Course Overall Grades from MyAberdeen to Student Records
The Committee discussed a proposal - QAC/250924/003 for enhancing the appearance and return of overall course grades in MyAberdeen and their transfer to the Student Record System. (Note: the paper noted approval was sought, however, it was confirmed at the meeting that this was not the case).
Committee Governance
The Committee approved the Remit and Composition 2024/25 - QAC/250924/004 , subject to amendment, and sought appointments to (i) the Academic Policy and Regulations Group and (ii) Senate from the membership of the QAC.
Business from Academic Policy and Regulations Group (APRG)
(i) Remit and Composition 2024/25
The Committee approved the Remit and Composition 2024/25 - QAC/250924/005 of the Academic Policy and Regulations Group (APRG), subject to amendment.
(ii) Annual Course Review Proforma Templates
The Committee approved the amends to the Annual Course Review proforma templates - QAC/250924/006 , subject to amendment.
(iii) Resolution for Changes to Regulations for Various Degrees
The Committee approved a proposal - QAC/250924/007 for an amendment to a Postgraduate Research regulation pertaining to monitoring and progress. It was noted that the regulatory amendment will be included as part of the Omnibus Resolution 2025, but will be included in the regulations now with a footnote to the effect of subject to resolution.
(iv) Transition to new UK Quality Code
The Committee heard an overview of the new Quality Code and the University's proposed transition to its use, noting sections will be taken at a time and mapped to the University's policies and procedures as opposed to mapping all sections of the Code at once.
Update on Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) and Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER)
The Committee received an update from the Chair providing an update in respect of the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) and Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER).
External Examining in the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
The Committee discussed a proposal - QAC/250924/009 from the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition in respect of External Examiners regarding travel to campus.
Partnerships and Collaborative Provision Approvals
The Committee heard a summary of the proposed approach in respect of partnerships and collaborative provision approvals, noting a fortnightly meeting chaired by the Dean for Quality Assurance and Enhancement and relevant professional services colleagues was established to manage approvals.
Students' Progress Committee Remits and Compositions 2024/25 - QAC/250924/010
The Committee approved, by routine approval, the Remit and Compositions for 2024/25 for (i) the Students' Progress Committee - QAC/250924/010 and (ii) the Students' Progress Committee (Medicine & Dentistry) - QAC/250924/011 .
Fitness to Practise Committee Remits and Compositions 2024/25
The Committee approved, by routine approval, the Remit and Compositions for 2024/25 for (i) the Fitness to Practise Committee (Education) - QAC/250924/012 , subject to amendment of one staff member, and (ii) the Fitness to Practise Committee (Medicine & Dentistry) - QAC/250924/013 .
Student Monitoring Key Dates 2024/25
The Committee approved, by routine approval, the Student Monitoring Key Dates for 2024/25 - QAC/250924/014 .
Winter Graduations 2024
The Committee approved, by routine approval, the ceremony list for Winter Graduations 2024 .
UK Quality Code Mapping
The Committee approved, by routine approval, UK Quality Code mapping updates in respect of Sections 2 (Assessment - QAC/250924/015 ), 3 (Concerns, Complaints & Appeals - QAC/250924/016 ) and 6 (External Expertise - QAC/250924/017 ).
Academic Policy and Regulations Group>
The Committee received an update from the Academic Policy and Regulations Group - QAC/250924/018 from its recent meeting.
Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies
The Committee noted the following matters in respect of Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs):
- IEMA (School of Biological Sciences);
- General Dental Council (School of MMSN); and
- Health and Care Professions Council (School of MMSN).
Matters Approved by Circulation / by Convenor's Action
The Committee noted the following matters approved by circulation or by way of Convenor's Action:
- eQAC: Annual and Periodic Review, and Partnerships - QAC/250924/022
- International Recruitment - Impact for September 2024 - QAC/250924/023
- Wildlife and Conservation Management Articulation Pathway - QAC/250924/024
- Term Dates for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
- MSc in Counselling Psychology Retitle
Any questions regarding the Quality Assurance Committee digest should be sent to academicservices@abdn.ac.uk .
- Previous Digest
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2023-2024 2022-2023 - Remit
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Remit
(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:
- the quality assurance of undergraduate, postgraduate taught and taught elements of postgraduate research provision;
- 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;
- 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.
- Composition & Membership
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Chair: Professor Steven Tucker
Clerk: Liam Dyker
Email: liam.dyker2@abdn.ac.uk
Composition Chair: Dean for Quality Assurance and Enhancement
Membership:
- Dean of Quality Assurance
- Dean for Educational Innovation
- School QA Representative (who should be a member of the School Education Committee)
- Representative from AFG
- Two representatives nominated by the President of the Students' Association
- Two representatives nominated by Senate (2 year term)
In attendance:
- Director of Academic Services & Online Education (or nominee);
- School Administration Manager
- Graduate School Manager (or nominee)
- Head of the Centre for Academic Development (or nominee)
- Staff Representative of the Students' Association
- Clerk
Quorum: 50%
Membership
Chair and Dean for Quality Assurance and Enhancement Steve Tucker Dean for Educational Innovation Kirsty Kiezebrink Representative from AFG Nadia DeGama Vice-President for Education, AUSA Miles Rothoerl Student Representative, AUSA tbc Senate Representative Fiona Stoddard Senate Representative Laura McCann School QA Representative Biological Sciences Gareth Norton Business Selma Carson Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History Isa Ehrenschwendtner Education Faye Hendry Engineering Thanga Thevar Geosciences Piotr Niewiadomski Language, Literature, Music & Visual Culture Will Barras Law Isla Callander
Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition Flora Groening Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition Lois Gall Natural & Computing Sciences Mark Grant Psychology Jacqui Hutchison Social Science Rachel Smith In Attendance
Director of Academic Services & Online Education (or nominee) Debbie Dyker School Admin Manager Ann Simpson Graduate School Manager (or nominee) Lucy Leiper Head of the Centre for Academic Development (or nominee) Darren Comber Staff Representative of the Students' Association Scott Carle Clerk Liam Dyker QAC Responsibilities School QAC Member Responsible for: Biological Sciences Gareth Norton Geosciences Business Selma Carson Natural & Computing Sciences Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History Isa Ehrenschwendtner Language, Literature, Music & Visual Culture Education Faye Hendry Social Science Engineering Thanga Thevar Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition Geosciences Piotr Niewiadomski Law Language, Literature, Music & Visual Culture Will Barras Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History Law Isla Callander Education Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition Flora Groening Engineering Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition Lois Gall Business Natural & Computing Sciences Mark Grant Biological Sciences and Psychology Psychology Jacqui Hutchison Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition Social Science Rachel Smith Language, Literature, Music & Visual Culture - Attendance
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Attendance Records
2024-2025 2023-2024 2022-2023 2021-2022
Previous Attendance Records
- Minutes
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DRAFT MINUTES - NOT APPROVED 25 September 2024 2023/24 2022/23 2021/22 - Further Resources