1. Quality Assurance Dr Christopher Stevens
Director of Quality and Standards
Canterbury Christ Church University

2. What are we like Multi-campus University
We work with a significant number of academic partners, with whom we collaborate to offer awards and credit
There is an extensive portfolio of provision subject to professional and statutory regulation
The QAA Institutional Audit of May 2005 commended us for maintaining “a strong, collegiate environment across the campuses and partners colleges”

3. Why have quality assurance
To ensure that the student experience is of an appropriate standard
To maintain the reputation of UK education in general and of the University in particular
To provide the basis for reflection and enhancement

4. How is this managed
The University’s Academic Board meets four times a year and is responsible is responsible for all aspects of the academic work of the University
The Academic Planning Committee is responsible for planning University’s academic activities including the structure,
The Quality and Standards Committee oversees policies, principles and procedures considered necessary to maintain and enhance the University’s work
These committees are supported by the work of Faculty Quality Committees and various sub-committees

5. People
The Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) chairs key committees and has strategic responsibility for this work
The Director of Quality and Standards, who leads the Quality and Standards Office, has operational responsibility
The Faculties have Faculty Directors of Quality
Heads of Department and Programme Directors ensure that quality is maintained in the Lecture Theatre

6. Regulations
The University has a set of detailed regulations for the operation of its programmes, especially concerning assessment and examination of students
These are approved by the University’s Academic Board
Academic staff must comply with these

7. Main activities Formal approval of programmes
Rigorous use of external examiners in assessment
Annual monitoring of programmes
Periodic review and re-approval of programmes
Periodic review of all departments

8. Values

9. Quality Assurance must further rather than inhibit collegiality
is a collective activity undertaken by all staff
is best undertaken closest as possible to the delivery of academic programmes to students
Must allow, but manage academic diversity

10. Procedural Guidance
The University uses extensive guidance to ensure that staff understand why regulations and procedures are there and what must be done to implement them
The University is of a view that insistence on compliance without explanation and support is inadequate

11. Therefore
Quality assurance is something that must reflect the way academics work
Academics want students to have the best possible experience
Academic reflect on what they do and seek to improve
It must be explained
It is not just a set of rules