1. Course Approval and Course Review & Revalidation
Hayley Burns
Head of Quality Unit

2. Purpose To provide an overview of the following processes:
Course Approval:
Course development approval
Course Validation
Course Review & Revalidation
To introduce ICIS and its support of these processes

3. Course Development Approval
Purposes
Alignment with University strategic plan
Sound business case
Identify resource implications
Potential impact on other courses
Compliance with legislative requirements
Determine appropriate course validation route

4. Course Development Approval
Process
Course Development Team completes the ‘Curriculum Proposal Form’ (CPF) on ICIS
CPF submitted to Head of School
CPF submitted to Faculty Committee
If approved submitted for University peer review
Submitted to Deans and Executive for final approval to proceed to course validation

5. Curriculum Proposal Form
Sections
Course information
Market Research
The Course Costing Template [or Business Case]
Course Delivery
Course Structure
Course Exit Points
Subject Codes
Faculty Approval

6. The CPF on ICIS

11. Course Validation: Event Types
Standalone validation event
University level
Faculty level
Paper-based level
Re/approval of a collaborative partner
Collaborative partner event
PSRB accreditation --
*Deadlines*

12. Course Validation: Criteria
For a course to be validated the following criteria must be met:
Curriculum
Learning, Teaching and Assessment
Admissions
Course Management
Resources
Implementation
Socially Inclusive Practice

13. Course Validation: The Validation Document
SECTION 1
Executive Summary

14. Course Validation: The Validation Document (2)
SECTION 2: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COURSE
CPF
Rationale for the proposal
Engagement with External and Internal Reference Points
Resources
Quality Assurance
Transitional Arrangements
Ethics

15. Course Validation: The Validation Document (3)
SECTION 3: THE COURSE SPECIFICATION
Course Information
Educational Aims and Learning Outcomes
Course Structure
Teaching and Assessment
Entry and Exit Requirements
Inclusive Curriculum Statement
Addendum for Delivery at a Collaborative Partner Organisation

16. Course Validation: The Validation Document (4)
SECTION 4: COURSE STRUCTURE
Per each level of study:
Module Code
Module Title
Credits
Module Status
*ensure that at each level you have the correct number of credits. See Regulations for Taught Courses

17. Course Validation: The Validation Document (5)
SECTION 5: MODULE SPECIFICATIONS
Module Information
Module Criteria
Learning Outcomes
Assessment Matrix
Key Skills
Concise/Indicative Reading List

18. Course Validation: The Validation Document (6)
SECTION 6: SUPPORTING MATRICES
Learning Outcomes Matrix
Key Skills Matrix
Assessment Schedule

19. Course Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes Matrix
Subject
Code
Module Title
Course Learning Outcomes A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 C1 C2
The following are examples only:
Occurrence across the course
A – KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
A1 Gain good knowledge of academic subject
A2 Communication and Information gathering
A3 Research to support technical activities/solve problems
A4 Environmental Legislation
B - INTELLECTUAL (THINKING) SKILLS
B1 Interdisciplinary approach to environmental education
B2 Problem Solving
B3 Ability to analysis and evaluate information
C - PROFESSIONAL/VOCATIONAL SKILLS
C1 Ability to set project objectives and produce plans
C2 Ability to work safely and appreciate Health and Safety Regulations
C3 Awareness of financial, economic and environmental factors
C4 Ability to manage projects

20. Key Skills Matrix
Subject
Year
Code
Module Title
Key Skills D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
Occurrence across the course
The following must be included but others can be added at faculty discretion:
D1 Managing and developing self
D2 Working with and relating to others
D3 Communicating
D4 Managing tasks and solving problems
D5 Applying numeracy
D6 Applying technology
D7 Applying design and creativity

21. Assessment Weighting %
Assessment Schedule
Code
Module
Credits
Assessment Weighting %
CW1
Wordcount
CW2
CT1
CT2
EX1
Length
EX2 EX
Modules that involve examinations
These include modules that use closed book/open book written examinations as all or part of their assessment. CW
Modules that use 100% coursework
These module use ONLY coursework such as essay, laboratory exercise, report, presentation, journal, portfolio etc. CT
Module that use Class Test
These include modules that use a phased test/examination, in-class test, MCQ test, practical exam, OSCE as all or part of their assessment.

22. Course Validation: The Validation Document (7)
APPENDICES
External Examiner/Consultants’ Report(s) and Team’s response
Letters of support from employers
Staff CVs
Ethical Approval Forms
Applications for RTS

23. Course Validation: Guidance Documents
QAA UK Quality Code
QAA docs: FHEQ, subject (and other) benchmarks, course specifications
USW Course Developer’s Guide
USW Guidelines for the Development of Foundation Degrees
USW Regulations for Taught Courses
USW Assessment Policy and Tariff
USW Learning, Teaching and Widening Access Strategy
USW CELT

24. Course Validation: The Validation Document and ICIS

30. Course Validation: The Process (1)
Timescales
Time +/- Event
FQAC Validation Panel
-8 weeks (minimum)
FVP established by Faculty Quality Team
- 6 weeks (minimum)
Internal Faculty scrutiny process takes place
- 3 weeks (minimum)
Completion of validation documentation and submission to the FQM for final checks
Faculty Quality Team circulates documentation to the FVP
- 1 week (minimum)
External Academic (if appropriate) provides written commentary on the proposal
0 weeks
FVP to consider the documentation and determine outcomes
+ 4 weeks (maximum)
Development Team response to validation conditions and completion of the revised documentation
+ 6 weeks (maximum)
Meeting of conditions, documents signed off by FVP Chair, electronic submission of final documentation to the Faculty Quality Team

31. Course Validation: The Process (2)
The Panel
The event
The outcomes
Conditions, requirements and recommendations
The report
Responding to conditions

32. Course Validation: The Process (3)
Paper-based validation
No panel meeting
External Advisor appointed
Sign off by FQAC Chair and Faculty Quality Manager

33. Course Approval: Summary
Course Development Approval and the CPF
Course Validation:
the criteria
the Validation Document
Guidance documents
the process
How ICIS supports these systems

34. Course Review & Revalidation: Introduction
Assurance of maintenance of academic standards
Assurance of quality
Enhancement-focused
Opportunity for holistic and strategic thinking
Cumulative effect of change
Changes to internal and external environments
Changes to legislation
Single or multiple courses
Revalidation

35. Process Self-critical Evidence-based Building on strengths
Identifying and assessing risk
Highlighting areas for enhancement
Peer review: staff, students and externals
Designed to be developmental
Occurs every 6 years

36. Panel Focus Academic Standards Quality of Learning Opportunities
Quality Management and Enhancement

37. Schedule Time +/- visit Activity - 6 months
Briefing meeting convened by FQM, finalisation of the review schedule
- 3 months
CRR Panel set up by FQM in consultation with Review Chair, Reporting Officer, Head of School, Course Leader and formally approved by the Chair of QAC
- 9 weeks
Self evaluation document and supporting documentation submitted to the Reporting Officer
- 8 weeks
Reporting Officer circulates the Self evaluation document and supporting documentation to the CRR Panel
- 5 weeks
Reporting Officer receives each CRR Panel member’s analysis of the Self evaluation document for their allocated section(s) and forwards this to the CRR Panel Chair
- 4 weeks
Preparatory meeting convened to finalise arrangements for the review event
- 1 week
Team assembles documentation to be made available during the review
0 weeks
Review event
+ 4 weeks
Draft report circulated to the CRR Panel for finalisation
+ 6 weeks
Final draft of the report circulated to the CRR Panel and the Faculty/College to check for factual accuracy
+ 8 weeks
Final report circulated to Faculty Head of School
Next scheduled meeting after publication of the final report
Action Plan compiled to include actions to be taken at Faculty level. Report and Action Plan submitted to FQAC
Next scheduled meeting after consideration by FQAC
Report and Action Plan (to include any University actions) submitted to QAC via the Quality Unit

38. Preparation
Admin support provided by faculty to give advice and coordinate
Briefing meeting between FQM, Head of School and Course Leader(s) 6 months before the event:
Confirm the scope of the review
Provide an overview of the process
Identify a date and establish deadlines for submission of documentation
Guidance on developing the self-evaluation document
Discuss panel members and identify a reporting officer

39. Panel Chair 2 or more external members
2 or more internal members from a different faculty
Faculty Quality Manager
Student Union sabbatical officer or nominee
Reporting Officer

40. Self-evaluation document: Part 1: Critical Review
Academic Standards
Quality of Learning Opportunities
The maintenance of Standards and Enhancement of Quality
Working with Others
Appendices
Mapping from old to new courses and modules
External Examiner/Consultant’s Report and Team’s response
Recruitment and conversion table
Statistics detailing student progression, outcomes and career destinations
Reports of accreditation events and details of any changes to professional body requirements

41. Self-evaluation document: Part 2: Revalidation Document
SECTION 1: Planning and Development of the Course
Engagement with External and Internal Reference Points
Evidence of ethical consideration
Transitional Arrangements
SECTION 2: Course Specification
SECTION 3: Course Structure
SECTION 4: Module Specifications
SECTION 5: Supporting Matrices
APPENDICES

42. Additional Documentation to be submitted with the SED
List of evidence
Course Handbooks
Student Data
External Examiner reports
Course annual monitoring report
Faculty annual monitoring report

43. Additional Documentation to be available during the review
Course and module handbooks and any other relevant course documentation
Staff lists and a short profile
Course Board minutes
Module/course questionnaire summaries
Data, i.e. NSS satisfaction levels
Notes of course team meetings
Recent validation reports
Marketing materials

44. The preparatory meeting
Chair, Head of School, Course Leader(s), FQM, Reporting Officer – 4 weeks before the event
Agree on key issues
Check which claims in the SED the panel are going to verify
Identify key members of staff who will attend meetings
Agree on sample of students’ work to be made available
Shape the overall agenda
Discuss arrangements for meeting students from collaborative partners

45. The Event
1 day long
Meetings with course and other staff, current and former students and other relevant stakeholders
Private meetings of the panel
Good practice and recommendations made
Report produced

46. Links to Procedures Course Approval Course Review & Revalidation
Course Development Approval
Course Validation
Course Review & Revalidation