Periodic review policy

1. Introduction

All universities in Scotland are responsible for reviewing their own academic provision and support services. This is now known as institution-led quality review (ILQR), which is a key component of Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF). The Policy was developed with direct reference to the Scottish Funding Council’s Guidance on Quality and QAA advice on ILQR.

The SFC’s key requirements for ILQR underpin the University’s approach to Periodic Review. These requirements are:

• A five to six year review cycle with a published schedule
• That the aggregation of programmes and subjects should have sufficient granularity to allow adequate scrutiny
• That students are partners in all stages of review activity, including as review panel members 
• That each review team includes at least one member external to the institution with a relevant background
• Exploration of themes arising from External Examiner reports and student surveys
• Demonstration that programme design and learning outcomes are consistent with appropriate external reference points
• Utlisation of data trends and performance data on recruitment, retention, progression and achievement

The SFC also expects the University to use the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) UK Quality Code for Higher Education (Quality Code) as a basis for assessing the quality of provision and as a reference point for annual and periodic review activity. 

ILQR outcomes are reported and actioned at Faculty level, inform institutional enhancement strategy, and are reported to the SFC via the annual Self Evaluation and Action Plan (SEAP).

2. Aims

ILQR activity takes place by discipline, department or professional service, not at individual programme level. Periodic Review is intended to be strategic, reflective and evaluative with outputs that inform institutional enhancement and quality strategy and related action planning. The process aims to ensure any shortcomings are addressed and that good practice is identified for dissemination within the institution and beyond. Periodic Review is intended to: 

• Meet regulatory requirements set by the Scottish Funding Council, and meet the expectations set out in the UK Quality Code for Higher Education.
• Support critical reflection on policy and practice and facilitate enhancement by promoting dialogue on areas in which quality could be improved. 
• Constructively reflect on annual monitoring and review outcomes and the effectiveness of related action planning.
• Identify actions to address any issues arising from review activities and promote areas of strength for consideration at institutional level.
• Produce robust, comprehensive, and credible evidence that the academic standards of awards are secure, that learning, teaching and assessment is of the highest standard, and that the curriculum is current.
• Ensure student support is comprehensive and enabling student success, and that provision is of high quality and being enhanced.

For Periodic Review of University of Dundee awards, the panel makes recommendations on the re-approval of programmes to Senate via the Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee.

3. Scope

The following types of provision are subject to Periodic Review:

• All credit-bearing and non-credit bearing SFC-funded provision
• All credit-bearing higher education provision, regardless of funding 
• Transnational Education and provision delivered in collaboration with others
• Work-based provision, apprenticeships, and placements
• Online and distance learning
• Taught postgraduate awards and supervision of research students
• Student facing professional services 

The Periodic Review panel has a broad remit across the student journey in relation to the aims stated above and in line with the Quality Code. Guidance for panel members is provided by QAS and the Periodic Review templates for Faculties further outline what should be considered and submitted.

4. Externality

Periodic Review activity is intended to provide an objective review of provision based on understanding of sector and discipline good practice, institutional and national quality frameworks, and appropriate external reference points. 

• The Periodic Review panel must include at least one external member with relevant experience in the discipline or service, as appropriate for the grouping of programmes / activities being reviewed. 
• If the Review encompasses a larger grouping of activities or programmes with wider variations across a discipline, more than one external reviewer will be required. 
• Periodic Review must consider the use of external reference points, such as the SCQF and QAA subject benchmarking statements.
• Where programmes or disciplines are subject to PSRB requirements, these will be a core element of the Periodic Review and the process will take account of the PSRB’s own requirements and processes in order to avoid duplication. Each Faculty will agree the approach to be taken in relation to their PSRBs with the Director of QAS. 
• The size and composition of the Review panel will take account of the range and volume of provision to be reviewed and the specific context. Further guidance is provided on panel composition, which will be agreed in advance with the QAS team. 

5. Methodology

The approach taken to Periodic Review will be proportionate and appropriate for the discipline and grouping and also take account of PSRB requirements. The core aspects of the process are:

• Analysis of data to identify and respond to trends and themes across the grouping/discipline/area of activity.
• Focus on external benchmarking, ensuring activities or programmes are in line with the Quality Code and recognised good practice in higher education, and the relevant industry/professional sector. 
• Effective use of student feedback and voice, ensuring meaningful student engagement in all aspects of the Review process.
• Review of annual monitoring reporting and action planning over the period of the review.
• For academic programmes, review of External Examiner reporting and responses over the period of the review.
• Critical reflection on all inputs noted above and evidence of related action planning. 

Further detailed guidance on operating Periodic Reviews is available to Faculties and Directorates on the QAS SharePoint site. Any queries should be directed to [email protected]