Validation briefing sessions Academic Quality and Standards Unit: Sue de Prez, Senior Assistant Registrar, Quality and Standards Cathy Smith, Senior Quality Officer Naomi Saunders, Senior Quality Officer Julie Symons, Quality Officer

Purpose of validation Process by which the University assures the quality and standards of a programme To ensure that a new programme is properly designed and that arrangements for its delivery and assessment have been properly planned That it conforms to University regulations and policies That it meets the requirements of the QAA’s Quality Code: Part A Academic Standards (national, subject and programme level), Part B (Academic Quality) and Part C (published information)

New leaner, meaner validation!! Agenda Why? When? What?

New principles School Board responsibilities; Improved timelines and planning cycles; Spread of ownership, involvement and responsibility for this core business work across more academic staff; Increased student involvement in the process; Programme approval by Academic Board only; Use of IT to support effective process; Unnecessary stages and participants removed to reduce cost and improve efficiency.

Significant changes Simplified IPPF developed Pre-validation event replaced with Pre-validation check to be undertaken by officers by AQSU Panels to include one external assessor only Panels to include students Periodic Review – report requirements reduced and to be provided via a semi-automated template Validation submission document converted to semi- automated template.

New 6-stage validation process Stage 1 Initial Proposal (IPPF) Stage 2 “Approval to proceed to validation” - Team to prepare documentation Stage 3 Pre-validation check by AQSU Stage 4 Validation Stage 5Recommendation for approval Stage 6Academic Board approval

Timeline 2015/16 Dec 2015 All IPPFs reviewed All decisions made January 2016 All decisions reported to Academic Board and Vice- Chancellor’s Board May 2016 All events to have taken place July 2016 All Academic Board decisions – validation complete

Timeline 2016/17 May 2016 IPPFs to School Boards March 2017 All validation events taken place May 2017 Academic board decision in place Sept 2017 Delivery of programme commences

What we need you to do Where are they? >Forms and guides >Word docs New provision Complete an IPPF Ongoing provision Complete an IPPF Periodic Programme Review form

What we will do Pre-validation check Help liaise with the PSRBs Set up validation panels Produce and circulate reports Provide advice and support at all times!!

Any questions? Overview of new templates? Sue x3104 Cathy x3384 Naomi x3404