Academic Framework Implementation Phase

Content Introduction Workstreams Summary Academic Framework Governance Workstream C Benefits

INTRODUCTION The Academic Framework Review is the result of a 2016 University-wide consultation of the University's academic programme structures. After feedback from staff and students, six out of the 14 amendments originally proposed have been taken forward into workstreams.   I have taken on the role of Senior Transition Manager from July 2018, overseeing the operational implementation of Workstreams C & F of the Academic Framework. The Academic Framework is starting its second year of implementation. This stage, will rely on the definition and enhancement of important components of the design, therefore important decisions should be made. The Academic Framework is starting its second year of implementation. This stage, will rely on the definition and enhancement of important components of the design.

Academic Framework Workstreams Work Stream on AFR Status Progress A. Integrating Co-curricular Activities into the Brookes Academic Framework On hold Brookes ID pilot is live: Find out more at: www.brookes.ac.uk/brookesid/ Alison Honour was leading on this workstream, - It will be progressed at a later date. B. Developing Coherent Interdisciplinary Named Awards Ongoing No paper to AESC yet. Agreement of which combinations are being converted into INA is being progressed via PDRAG. Tracy Panther is progressing development of framework around ‘ownership, committees, resources etc. as part of this process. Tracy Panther to send a paper to AESC once they are closer to validation. Workstream Lead: Dave Ellis and Tracy Panther C. Enabling Academic Transition and Enhancing Progression and Attainment Implementation stage Workstream Lead: Dave Ellis Operational Implementation Lead: Maritza Miranda Papers approved by AESC and Academic Board D. Enhancing the Academic Calendar and Examination Committee Schedules Completed   Decision not to change academic calendar or exam committee schedules Approved by AESC E. Ensuring an Effective and Efficient Examination Committee Governance Structure On Review No current change to 2 tier UG SEC/MEC structure Lead(s): Liz Turner (Head of APQO) and Tracy Panther (ADSE, OBBS) F. Effective, Timely and Efficient Student Module Choice Paper approved by AESC and Academic Board Workstream Lead: John Kirk

Governance Framework – Workstreams C & F QLIC VCG Ac. BOARD SENIOR MANAGEMENT BODIES Programme Assurance Change Board Design Team Established by the Senior Transition Manager to help drive the programme forward on an ongoing basis. This Team has a general overview of all the AF areas and analyses the overall impact of the workstrand working groups decisions. Design Authority This group has ongoing oversight of the programme, including strategic management of risk and benefits. It sets overall parameters and priorities, as well as links to other OBU strategic projects and initiatives. Workstrand Leadership groups: Each area of impact of the workstrand will have an established working group to take the necessary decisions required by that area of the Academic Framework.

Workstream C: Transition, Progression & Attainment

Transition, Progression and Attainment: What does it mean for me?   Student Success Brookes’ new Academic Framework aims to facilitate students’ academic progression, transition through the levels of undergraduate study, attainment and employment. Student Experience It’s an opportunity to innovate by looking holistically at programme modules and exploring points of progression with the student experience in mind. The new academic curriculum supports two areas prominent in the National Students’ Survey, the design of assessments to benefit a diverse range of learners, and strong course organisation and management. Advantages of the new Academic Framework are likely to include stronger cohort identity for students and effective course organisation with clear learning outcomes and assessment requirements. Teaching Excellence The new Academic Framework is a chance to consider the clarity of learning outcomes in relation to assessment tasks which will support all students to reach their full potential.

PRINCIPLES Aims to facilitate students’ academic progression and transition through the levels of undergraduate study by September 2020, through the creation of more streamlined programmes of study based on patterns of student choice. The use of pre-requisites between levels will be superseded by progression requirements related to the successful completion of Compulsory modules Progression rules should be simplified with the removal of in-year pre/co-requisite modules Programmes will be designed upon Levels 4, 5 and 6 (equating to years 1, 2 and 3) All Programmes will have a compulsory Semester 1 for students entering Level 4. There will be minimum limit of Compulsory modules (that faculties can choose to exceed). There will be maximum limit of Optional modules (that faculties can work within but not exceed).

HONOURS PROGRAMMES STRUCTURE LEVEL Module Count Compulsory Optional Level 4 Minimum 6 Maximum 2 (from a choice of 4) Level 5 Minimum 4 Maximum 4 (from a choice of 8) Level 6 Minimum 2 Maximum 6 (from a choice of 10) Structural Guide This can also be expressed in terms of module credits: LEVEL Module Credits Compulsory Optional Level 4 Minimum 90 credits Maximum 30 credits (from a choice of 60) Level 5 Minimum 60 credits Maximum 60 credits (from a choice of 120) Level 6 Minimum 30 credits Maximum 90 credits (from a choice of 150)

LEVEL 4 There must be a total of 150 credits (Optional + Compulsory) available at Level 4 (It doesn’t apply to fully compulsory level 4 programmes) Programmes of study at level 4 should carry 120 credits distributed as follows: Compulsory: Minimum of 90 credits (6 module credits) at level 4Optional: Maximum of 30 credits at level 4 (maximum, from a choice of 60) All Programmes will have a compulsory Semester 1 for students entering Level 4

LEVEL 5 There must be a total of 180 credits (optional + compulsory) available at level 5 for students to construct their Year 2 programmes of study (It doesn’t apply to fully compulsory level 5 programmes) Programmes of study at level 5 should carry 120 credits distributed as follows: Compulsory: Minimum of 60 credits (4 module credits) at level 5 Optional: Maximum of 60 credits at level 5 (maximum, from a choice of 120)

LEVEL 6 Programmes of study at level 6 should carry 120 credits distributed as follows: Compulsory: Minimum of 30 credits (2 module credits) at level 6 Optional: Maximum of 90 credits at level 6 (maximum, from a choice of 150) There must be a total of 180 credits (optional + compulsory) available at level 6 for students to construct their Year 3 programmes of study (It doesn’t apply to programmes with fully compulsory level 6)

IMPACTED AREAS IMPACTED AREAS REGULATIONS PROGRESSION DEGREE CLASSIFICATION COMBINED HONOURS EXIT AWARDS SUPPORT DOCUMENTS SUBJECT CHANGES

Implementation Timeline ACADEMIC FRAMEWORK & SRS Implementation 2018 2019 2020 AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY   Key Milestones GOES LIVE 1 Phase 2 implementation plan presented to Faculties AES 1st YEAR 2 Manual build and check of 'as-is' curriculum information and structures in Banner 3 Academic Support Programme in Place 4 Deadline to submit LEVEL 4 Major/Minor changes (WHERE POSSIBLE) 5 LEVEL 4 Major/Minor changes reflected in the system 6 Testing of the curriculum information, structures and student data 7 Deadline to submit changes for programmes that require REVALIDATION BANNER 8 REVALIDATED programmes to be reflected in the system 9 Deadline to submit LEVEL 5 & 6 Major/Minor changes (LEVEL 4 can be submitted too) 10 LEVEL 5 & 6 Major/Minor changes reflected in the system 11 Evaluation of Phase 2 AF 12 Manual build of new academic framework curriculum & structures in Banner 13 Phase 3 implementation plan 14 Deadline to submit Major/Minor changes to completely adhere to AF structure 15 Testing new academic framework curriculum structures ahead of 2020 intake

Benefits

Benefits

Senior Transition Manager MARITZA MIRANDA Senior Transition Manager maritza.miranda@brookes.ac.uk Tel: 01865 483030 BCK 2.01