“By creating we think, by living we learn” Patrick Geddes
A distinctive aspect of the University's teaching provision is its professional orientation. As a result, many programmes are accredited by PSBs in a process that involves regular review events. The aim of accreditation is to satisfy an external Professional Statutory Body (PSB) that learning by students at the University, as embodied in the teaching it carries out and the degrees it awards, meets national professional benchmarks. The award of an accredited degree may allow a graduate to qualify for a particular type of employment and, in some cases, gain exemption from PSB examinations.
Maintenance of this accreditation is highly important for student recruitment, graduate employment and the University's reputation. As a generalisation, accreditation events cover similar aspects to programme reviews, often with more rigorous checks on specific aspects of the curriculum, skills training and student output. In general, it is acceptable that schools consider external accreditation to have primacy over internal programme review procedures where the two overlap in the majority of elements covered.
For accredited degrees, the Dean or equivalent, reporting to the School Board, and in consultation with the College Heads of Learning and Teaching and Quality Assurance (or equivalents) and the relevant professional body or bodies has the power to decide whether to hold one event or two. If so agreed, the programme review and accreditation can be covered by one event. Equally, if it were decided that a programme review might have value ahead of an accreditation event, then the Dean and Board may opt for this path.
In the majority of cases, the timetable for accreditation events is similar, or more frequent than the expected period between programme reviews (five years). In cases where the timetable is longer, a special dispensation within the University must be sought. Where any adjustments are be required to align the timing of reviews, these will be agreed by the Vice Principal (Educational Development) who will consult with Academic Affairs Directorate and report such arrangements as agreed to Academic Quality Sub Committee.
Deans or equivalent of appropriate schools will have responsibility for interacting with accrediting bodies and for organising visits by accrediting teams. Support will be provided by the Director of Quality Assurance, if required.
Accrediting Body Reports from each event must be provided to the Vice-Principal (Educational Development) and Director of Quality Assurance. The latter has responsibility for making annual reports on accreditation events to external bodies as required (e.g. to the Scottish Funding Council in the Annual Institutional Statement), reporting to the Vice-Principal (Educational Development) and Academic Quality Sub Committee.
del.icio.us
digg
reddit
facebook
stumbleupon