Quality assurance processes

Annual review of taught provision

Taught programmes and their constituent modules are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that forward planning is based on focused reflection and evaluation of data and relevant feedback, with a view to continuous enhancement of our taught provision.

Responsibility for conducting the processes of annual review of taught programmes and modules lies with the Schools of the University (see the Policy and guidance on the annual review of taught provision). The outcomes from annual review of modules and programmes feed into the development of an annual School learning and teaching enhancement report. This informs planning processes at School level and provides the University with appropriate information for oversight of the quality assurance and enhancement of taught programmes.

Policies

• Policy and guidance on the annual review of taught provision

Templates and guidance

• Annual module review report template and guidance
• Annual programme review report template and guidance
• Annual School learning and teaching enhancement report template and guidance
• Student evaluation of modules - core questions

Changes to taught provision

The University has been working to develop an approach to ensure that we can maintain our threshold standards and assure the quality of our programmes.

Changes to taught provision, including suspension, reinstatement or withdrawal of modules or programmes, are a natural result of the University's Quality Framework (which promotes continuous enhancement of taught provision via annual and periodic review) and strategies and planning at all levels of the institution.

The‌ Policy and guidance on the approval of new taught provision covers the procedures to be adopted when modifying programme specifications, module specifications or degree regulations and where there are plans to cease or suspend teaching provision. Its objective is to provide effective pathways for making changes that take appropriate account of the need to assure quality and to safeguard the interests of students. The Policy and Guidance takes account of the advice to higher education providers from the Competition & Markets Authority (March 2015) on consumer protection law.

Proposed changes to the taught provision should be summarised in the change Pro forma for proposed substantive changes to modules, programmes, or regulations‌, or withdrawal or suspension of modules or programmes as appropriate, and submitted to the QAS office, along with the relevant documentation, for consideration but the Quality and Academic Standards Committee.

The University’s Emergency Powers Procedures covers the situation where substantive changes need to be made outwith the normal reporting process and should only be used under exceptional circumstances.

Policies and guidance

• Policy and guidance on the approval of new taught provision
• Pro forma for proposed substantive changes to modules, programmes, or regulations

Emergency Powers

When it is necessary for approval of new programmes or modules to occur rapidly, the Emergency Powers procedure should be followed. The Emergency Powers pro forma must be used in all cases for approval.

Learn more about Emergency Powers

New taught provision

If your proposal involves International College Dundee, follow the International College Dundee proposal process. 

If it involves a partnership with an external third party, follow the Collaborative Partnership Code of Practice. 

For all other proposals, Schools must submit the programme initiation template before before beginning any curriculum development, where it will be considered by the Programmes Approval Group.  This must be at least ten days before the group meets.

• Dates of PAG meetings 

Policies

• Policy and guidance on the approval of new taught provision

Templates

• Module specification template and guidance
• Programme initiation template
• Postgraduate programme specification template and guidance
• Undergraduate programme specification template and guidance
• New taught programme rationale and business case
• Non-credit bearing module template

Other documents

• Curriculum Design Principles
• Dundee Module Baseline
• Financial planning spreadsheet for taught postgraduate programmes
• Inclusive curriculum checklist, guidance and good practice example

Periodic programme review

Periodic Programme Review is the periodic (normally every 6 years) appraisal of the quality and validity of taught provision leading to specified University of Dundee qualifications. It applies to all of the University's credit-bearing provision.

• Guidance on the development of the Reflective Analysis
• Inclusive curriculum checklist, guidance and good practice example
• Policy and guidance on the periodic review of taught programmes
• Postgraduate research degrees periodic review policy