Quality Assurance in Masters Programmes and Research Training in Masters Programmes at Newcastle University Dr Robin Humphrey Director of Research Postgraduate Training Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Newcastle University, UK EUROPOS SĄJUNGA Europos socialinis fondas MYKOLO ROMERIO UNIVERSITETAS

Procedures at Newcastle University Institutional Context Procedural Detail The Role of the External Examiner

City of Newcastle Most important city in the North East of England – Regional capital Population of 284,000; 33,000 are students Three hours by rail from London International airport, 10km from campus

Newcastle University Established 1834 City centre campus in North East of England Employs over 4,000 people One of UK’s top 20 research universities; member of the Russell Group. 13,500 full-time students Over 2,500 international students from more than 100 countries Low living costs in comparison with rest of UK

University Research Very strong research ethos Over 50 research centres Ten academic Schools awarded top ratings in UK govt. research assessment exercise (RAE) “Russell Group” member, major research universities in the UK

Newcastle University Accounting Agriculture Archaeology Architecture Art Biology Biomedical Sciences Business Chemistry Classics Combined Studies Computing Dentistry Economics Education Engineering English Environmental Sciences Film Studies Food (nutrition) Gender and Women’s Studies Geography Geomatics (Surveying) History Languages Law Mathematics Medicine Music Philosophical Studies Physics Politics Psychology Religious Studies Sociology Social Policy Speech Town Planning

Postgraduate Culture Large number of masters programmes (184; 115 in HASS) Extensive recognition of research masters programmes by ESRC, AHRC and NERC (UK Govt. Research Councils)

Faculty of Humanities, Arts, and the Social Sciences Schools –Architecture, Planning and Landscape –Arts and Cultures –Business School –Education, Communication and Language –English Literature. Language and Linguistics –Geography, Politics and Sociology –Law School –Modern Languages –Historical Studies

Newcastle University: Quality Assurance in Masters Programmes Approval of new programmes QA in existing programmes The role of the external examiner

Approval of new programmes mes/index.php Qualifications and Credit Framework –

Quality Assurance Committee Structure In Discipline: Board of Studies (for one, or more, programmes) ; Staff Student Committee In Faculty: Teaching and Learning Committee; Undergraduate Dean (deals with taught masters programme), chair of FTLC In University: University Teaching and Learning Committee; QuILT (phttp:// Pro Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning chairs UTLC, PG and UG Deans are members

Approval of new programmes Part 1 –Part 1 Programme Proposal Form -Case for launching new programme (student market; employers to recruit them; business case) –Submitted to Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee Part 2 –Part 2 Programme Proposal Form -Detailed paperwork (programme specification; regulations; module outlines; disability support checklist) –Submitted to Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee Part 3 –Paperwork passed to Centre (QuILT), who send to External Advisor –Reports to University Teaching and Learning Committee –Small panel of FTLC and UTLC nominees meets to consider paperwork with the proposers –Recommends to Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning Only after Part 3 can recruitment start

Quality Assurance of Existing Programmes Annual Monitoring and Review –Submitted to FTLC –Check BoS meet yearly requirements –Tick box, no text, but action plans Major changes to Programmes –FTLC Approval (but difficult to oversee) Marking and moderation External examining –Reports submitted to Vice Chancellor –Reviewed by FTLC –Overview report to UTLC –If problem, response demanded quickly

The Role of the External Examiner Role Appointment Report to Vice Chancellor; summaries of reports published Training rt_for_external_examiners_Oct_05.pdf Lessons from Experience