Purpose
To develop and keep under review the University’s Academic Policy and Quality Framework, i.e. the processes for quality assurance and the maintenance of academic standards and student academic success, and to consider and manage the outcomes of these processes.
Reporting relationship
QESC is a sub-committee of University Education Committee (UEC). The committee is responsible to UEC and will submit regular formal reports for consideration by UEC, as well as approving key annual reports, which will progress through UEC to University Executive Board (UEB).
QESC also reviews and scrutinises reports (via College committee minutes) on new programmes, modifications to programmes, plans to develop new programmes, and new modules approved by the relevant College Committee on behalf of the Committee.
QESC reviews and scrutinises regular reports from its sub-committees and from College Quality Assurance and Approval Committees (CQAAC) and Dubai Quality Assurance and Approval Committee (DQAAC).
Terms of reference (2024/25)
1. To monitor all relevant external guidance and requirements related to academic quality assurance and enhancement, and student academic success, with responsibility for initiating and co-ordinating action as appropriate.
2. To develop and keep under review the University’s Academic Policy and Quality Framework, i.e. the systems, policies and guidance for assuring and enhancing the quality of students’ learning experience and maintaining academic standards for all taught provision and to consider and manage the outcomes of these processes. These include:
- Annual programme review - aligned to Education Excellence review
- The external examiner system for taught provision
- Strategic Periodic Review (education/quality elements)
- Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies
- Student complaints, appeals and misconduct
3. To have oversight of the University’s approach to assuring the completeness, accuracy, reliability and fitness for purpose of information provided for applicants and students.
4. To maintain operational oversight of academic and student-related policy and legislation, considering on behalf of Senate and UEC proposals for minor and operational legislative changes, consulting with Legal Services as appropriate.
5. To consider on behalf of Senate proposals for the addition, withdrawal, suspension, and exceptional amendment of programmes of study of the University. This will normally be undertaken by Chair’s action for regular report to a subsequent meeting of the committee. Proposals for complex or high-risk collaborative programmes may be referred to UEC and/or UEB.
Membership
- Chair: Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education Policy and Academic Standards)
- Secretary: Head of Academic Policy Partnerships, Registry, Academic Services
- Deputy Directors of Education (Quality and Enhancement) from each College
- Head of Quality Assurance (Dubai Campus)
- Vice Provost (Education) (Dubai Campus)
- Director of Postgraduates (PGT)
- Director of the Doctoral School
- Dean of UoB Online
- Deputy Director of Registry and Education Support, Academic Services
- Education Officer, Guild of Students
- Postgraduate Officer, Guild of Students
Other staff in attendance, as required:
- Director of Registry and Education Support, Academic Services
- Director of Legal Services, Executive Support Division
- College Academic Policy Partners, Registry, Academic Services
- Appropriate representatives from other professional services or academic teams, as invited
Ex officio
- Professor Deborah Longworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)
- Dr Emma Robinson, Academic Registrar
Meeting dates 2024/25
- 18th September 2024
- 4th November2024
- 3rd December 2024
- 26th February 2025
- 14th May 2025
Papers are available from the Assistant Secretary: Andy Watkins a.w.watkins@bham.ac.uk