QUALITY ASSURANCE OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK. University of Liverpool. Liverpool, L69 7ZX. And. Laureate

Transcription

1 QUALITY ASSURANCE OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK The University of Liverpool Liverpool, L69 7ZX And INTRODUCTION Laureate The Institutional Agreement is between (1) the University of Liverpool ( UoL ) whose registered office is at The Foundation Building, 765 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L69 7ZX, England and (2) Laureate Online Education BV, Haarlerbergweg 23 C, 1101 CH Amsterdam Z.O., Netherlands ( Laureate ). This document is The and is an Annex to the Institutional Agreement. This Framework supersedes any appendices, annexes or supplementary agreements to the Institutional Agreement to the extent they cover the same or similar areas or matters included in this Framework. It sets out the principles by which the University of Liverpool is assured of the quality and standards of the programmes that are delivered in partnership with Laureate. The Programmes covered by this Framework are University of Liverpool Programmes (listed in Appendix 1) and therefore are subject to the requirements of the University of Liverpool Quality Framework. Where, for good reasons, there need to be different arrangements in place, these arrangements shall be approved by the University of Liverpool Academic Quality and Standards Committee. This Framework applies to taught postgraduate programmes, except in the specific areas where professional doctorates are referred to. This Framework has a set of appendices that set out the operational detail of the Framework and the Programmes covered by this Framework. 1. DEFINITION UoL BoS Board of Examiners CoPA AQSC University of Liverpool University of Liverpool Board of Studies University of Liverpool Board(s) of Examiners as set out in this Framework and includes their operation as Module Review Boards, Progression Boards and Final Boards of Examiners as set out in the CoPA. University of Liverpool Code of Practice on Assessment University of Liverpool Academic Quality and Standards Committee Page 1 of 13

2 On-line Programmes Planning and Policy Committee Self Evaluation Document CPD UoL Quality Framework Programme Module Director of Studies Laureate Director of On-line Studies A committee of the UoL. This is a document produced by Laureate for the Annual Quality Monitoring Visit in accordance with the requirements of Appendix 2 to this Framework. Continuing professional development This includes all UoL quality assurance processes, procedures, practices and requirements for UoL programmes and awards. A programme of study which, when successfully completed and assessed, leads to award of UoL as set out in and in accordance with relevant UoL ordinances, regulations, policies and the UoL Quality Framework. This refers to a discrete component within a Programme, with a credit value, learning outcomes, learning and teaching opportunities to achieve those outcomes and assessment tasks to demonstrate achievement of the outcomes, as set out in and in accordance with relevant UoL ordinances, regulations, policies and the UoL Quality Framework. This is a member of UoL academic staff who is responsible for a Programme listed in the Appendix 1, according to the requirements of the UoL Quality Framework and the terms of this Framework. This is a member of Laureate academic staff who is appointed to Laureate to oversee the delivery of a Programme or Programmes. Module Specification Programme Specification Honorary Recognised Teacher Page 2 of 13 This is a document, produced according to template set by UoL, which describes a Module. This is a document, produced according to a template set by UoL, which describes a Programme. This is an honorary status in UoL given to any individual who engages in teaching but

3 who does not have a formal contract of employment with UoL. Business Quarterly Review On-line Faculty Honorary Lecturer Honorary Senior Lecturer Subject Matter Expert A review of the business and commercial aspects of the UoL/Laureate partnership as set out in Appendix 2 to this Agreement. These are academic staff appointed and employed by Laureate who are approved by UoL as Honorary Recognised Teachers, Honorary Lecturers or Honorary Senior Lecturers. This is an honorary status in UoL given to an Instructor in accordance with the requirements set out in Appendix 2 to this Agreement. This is an honorary status in UoL given to an Instructor in accordance with the requirements set out in Appendix 2 to this Agreement. These are staff employed by Laureate with appropriate relevant expertise to develop the learning materials in accordance with the Module Specifications and Programmes Specifications for a Programme. Subject Matter Experts are approved as Honorary Recognised Teachers 2. PROGRAMME APPROVAL 2.1 Programmes that are to be delivered on-line in partnership with Laureate shall be approved by the normal UoL programme approval process specified in the UoL Quality Framework; and no Programme may commence until it has been approved by the UoL. Each Programme shall have a home in a UoL level 2 School/Institute and the Head of that School/Institute shall be responsible for appointing a UoL Director of Studies to lead the Programme through the approval process. The UoL Director of Studies and each module leader shall be a member of UoL academic staff. 2.2 Major modifications to Programmes shall be approved by the normal process specified in the UoL Quality Framework. The relevant UoL Director of Studies shall be responsible for leading the Programme through the major modification process. 2.3 Minor modifications to Programmes shall be approved by the normal process specified in the UoL Quality Framework. The relevant UoL Director of Studies shall be responsible for leading the Programme through the minor modification process. What constitutes a major and minor modification is specified in the UoL Quality Page 3 of 13

4 Framework and the UoL is responsible for the final decision about whether a proposal to change a Programme constitutes major or minor modification. 2.4 When a new Programme is proposed for delivery under this Agreement, the UoL shall identify the School/Institute that will be responsible for the Programme and a UoL Director of Studies for the Programme shall be appointed. As part of the Programme development process Laureate shall liaise with the Director of Studies to deliver collaborative workshops known as Programme Summits and Module Summits. These collaborative workshops will be held under the jurisdiction of the UoL and shall bring together UoL academics, identified by the Director of Studies, with experts from Laureate in marketing, on-line learning and other relevant areas. Members of UoL Professional Services staff may be invited as necessary. The aim of these collaborative workshops shall be to inform the production of documentation for approval and development of learning materials for the on-line classroom. Where it is necessary to hold the Summits off the UoL Campus, Laureate shall be responsible for the travel and accommodation of UoL staff. 2.5 During programme development Laureate employs a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to develop learning and assessment materials in accordance with the draft Module Specification and the draft Programme Specification. The SME shall be approved as an Honorary Recognised Teacher of the UoL and approval shall be by the normal UoL procedure. All learning materials produced by Laureate shall be approved before they are placed in the on-line classroom. To approve the learning materials, the Director of Studies (referring to the Chair of the relevant Board of Studies if necessary) must be satisfied that they meet the requirements of the relevant Module Specifications and Programme Specification that have been approved by UoL in accordance with the requirements of the UoL Quality Framework. This may require consultation with the team in UoL responsible for the Programme. A Module must not commence until the learning materials for that Module have been approved. 2.6 A proposal to withdraw or suspend an on-line Programme that is delivered in partnership with Laureate shall follow the procedure specified by the UoL Quality Framework. An initial proposal to withdraw or suspend a Programme may come from UoL or from Laureate and a decision to follow the withdrawal or suspension process will normally be taken at the Quarterly Business Review after appropriate consultation with the relevant School/Institute. In the event of Laureate withdrawing support for a Programme, the UoL and Laureate, as provided for in the Institutional Agreement, shall agree to negotiate the academic, financial, administrative and logistical arrangements to allow existing students to complete their studies and any assessments for the award for which they are registered, provided that the UoL shall be ultimately responsible for ensuring that students admitted to that Programme who wish to complete it under the UoL awarding authority can do so. 2.7 For Programmes that are approved and delivered under the Institutional Agreement and this Framework, Laureate and UoL shall mutually seek to develop appropriate relationships with relevant international bodies (e.g. European Community NARICs) for recognition of UoL awards achieved upon successful completion of the Programmes covered by this Framework. 3. ADMISSIONS Page 4 of 13

5 3.1 The Programme Specification for each Programme sets out the admissions criteria for that Programme including the English language requirements that are detailed in a separate document that is approved by the UoL. Laureate is responsible for admitting students according to these criteria and for referring cases where academic judgement is required to the UoL Director of Studies. Where cases are referred to the UoL Director of Studies decisions shall be made in a timely manner, with due regard to the intake cycle. 3.2 The UoL Director of Studies shall monitor application of the admissions criteria by examining a 5% sample of applications that are received and the decisions that are made; this shall be done periodically, based on the frequency of intake. If the UoL has concerns about the decisions that have been taken, they shall report this to Laureate and the resulting action shall be monitored for a period of one intake. If resolution cannot be reached then admissions decisions will be undertaken by the UoL for a period of one intake; UoL and Laureate shall negotiate any changes required to ensure that Laureate can continue to admit students in accordance with UoL admissions requirements. 3.3 For professional doctorate Programmes, admissions decisions involve at least two members of UoL staff who have been given training and guidance in the selection and admission of research degree students. 3.4 Laureate shall send to the UoL Director of Studies a periodic report of the numbers of successful applications. 3.5 Laureate shall maintain a separate record of those students to whom entry to each Programme has been refused, together with the reasons. This record shall be kept for a period of five years and shall be open to inspection by UoL. 3.6 UoL and Laureate are responsible for agreeing the student numbers to be admitted to each Programme on an annual basis or as at such times stipulated by UoL. 4. REGISTRATION AND ENROLMENT 4.1 Laureate is responsible for enrolling students and for ensuring that they receive appropriate information about their programme of study, the support that is available to them and access to information about the relevant policies and procedures. 4.2 All information that is provided to the students must be approved by UoL in advance and UoL shall have the final editorial rights of that information. 4.3 Laureate is responsible for providing UoL with details of students who have enrolled on Programmes so that they can be registered on the UoL student management system. 4.4 Laureate is responsible for ensuring that they provide UoL with registration and enrolment data needed for UoL to make its annual return to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Page 5 of 13

6 5. ON-LINE FACULTY RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT 5.1 Laureate is responsible for recruiting On-line Faculty. All On-line Faculty must be approved as honorary members of the UoL, with Honorary Recognised Teacher status being the minimum level of approval. Laureate shall be responsible for providing to UoL all the required application documentation and evidence for the UoL approval process for honorary status and UoL Directors of Study shall sign off the application to confirm that the applicant has the requisite skills, knowledge, experience and appropriate education, qualifications and employment history. Where a Programme is subject to professional or statutory body accreditation, there may be additional criteria applied to the appointment of an instructor for that Programme. 5.2 On-line Faculty who teach and supervise on the on-line professional doctoral Programmes shall meet additional requirements as outlined in section Laureate is responsible for the induction of On-line Faculty and all On-line Faculty must complete the Laureate induction programme before commencing teaching or supervision. The content and details of the induction programme for new On-line Faculty shall be provided by Laureate to UoL for approval. UoL shall be responsible for updating Laureate on new or revised UoL polices, regulations and requirements that are relevant to the On-line Faculty s role and approving the revisions made to the induction programme as a consequence. 5.4 On-line Faculty who are appointed as dissertation advisers on the postgraduate taught (PGT) Programmes shall be required to undertake specified additional training before they shall be allowed to supervise PGT dissertations. 5.5 On-line Faculty who are appointed to teach or supervise on the on-line professional doctoral Programmes shall undertake additional training, as specified in section Laureate is responsible for the continuing professional development of instructors. A report of CPD activities as well as any changes to the induction programme shall be reported in the Self Evaluation Document that informs the Annual Quality Visit. The quality of the on-line learning experience, adherence to UoL policies and procedures and the maintenance of standards in assessment shall be monitored by UoL during this Visit. 5.7 UoL shall be responsible for overseeing the training of On-line Faculty and other relevant Laureate staff where there are changes to the operation of relevant UoL policies and procedures. 5.8 Where possible, there shall be CPD activity arranged jointly between UoL and Laureate that is recognised by the UoL with the aim of enhancing the student experience. Engagement with the UoL School/Institute in areas such as research and staff development may be specified by a School/Institute where there are professional or statutory body accreditation requirements. 5.9 Laureate is responsible for informing UoL of changes in the appointment of the Online Faculty staff. Page 6 of 13

7 6. MONITORING OF LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT 6.1 All classes, all work by students and all On-line Faculty shall be available for review at any time by the UoL. 6.2 Each Module shall be subject to sample monitoring by the relevant School/Institute that is named on the Module Specification. Monitoring shall be conducted by a member of academic staff employed by the UoL. The sample will normally comprise up to 20% of all activity that is submitted to each BoS. The purpose of monitoring is to ensure that: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) The On-Line Faculty are delivering the learning aims and outcomes as defined in the Module Specification and Programme Specification; UoL policies and procedures are being applied consistently and appropriately; Moderation of assessment is being carried out according to the CoPA and other relevant UoL requirements; Appropriate academic standards are being maintained.; 6.3 A monitoring report shall be submitted by the UoL monitor to each BoS. 6.4 If a monitor has concerns about any of the above, he or she shall send a written account of the concern to the Laureate Director of On-line Studies. If the concern is not resolved at this stage to the satisfaction of UoL then details of the concerns and Laureate s response shall be considered at the next BoS for that Programme. In this case, Laureate will be required to submit a development plan and the outcomes of that plan will be reviewed at the next BoS. If there are still concerns about any issue that has been identified through monitoring, the BoS may refer the issue to the On-line Programmes Planning and Policy Committee. 6.5 Each School/Institute shall be responsible for proposing the schedule of monitoring in that School/Institute and this schedule shall be reviewed and approved annually by the On-line Programmes Planning and Policy Committee. 7. END OF MODULE REPORTS 7.1 Laureate shall be responsible for submitting the following information to each BoS: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Student evaluation of each Module; Student performance on each Module; On-line Faculty performance on each module; and On-line Faculty feedback. 7.2 In addition, this information shall be available for UoL monitoring. Page 7 of 13

8 8. ASSESSMENT 8.1 Assessment and the moderation of assessment shall be carried out by Laureate in accordance with the UoL CoPA and other relevant requirements. 9. LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCES 9.1 Students studying on the on-line Programmes delivered in partnership with Laureate shall have access to on-line library and learning resources as detailed in Appendix BOARD OF EXAMINERS 10.1 The Boards of Examiners (BoE) shall be run by UoL according to the CoPA and are responsible to UoL Senate for the assessment of students and the determination of degrees, diplomas and certificates, in accordance with the ordinances and regulations affecting the particular Programmes of study under consideration and in accordance with the CoPA The Boards of Examiners will operate as Module Review Boards, Progression Boards and Final Boards of Examiners, to approve module marks, to determine students progress in their Programme study and to recommend to the UoL Committee for the Award of Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates final awards and any classification or other mark of differentiation of those awards, respectively Each Head of School/Institute where on-line Programmes are delivered shall determine the appropriate Board of Examiners for those Programmes and shall appoint a chair. Each on-line Programme and Module shall therefore be associated with an appropriate Module Review Board, Progression Board and Final Board of Examiners Laureate shall maintain accurate students registration records, which shall inform the relevant Board of Examiners in making decisions about the progress of students. Laureate shall maintain accurate records of academic suspensions of students on the Programmes Each on-line Programme shall have one or more external examiner who shall be selected, appointed and operate according to the UoL CoPA Appendix H External Examiner System for Taught Provision UoL shall be responsible for the induction of external examiners; and Laureate shall support and/or deliver part of the induction process relating to the operation of the on-line systems if requested to do so by UoL External examiners shall have access to all on-line classrooms and all pieces of assessed work so that they are able to carry out their role in accordance with Appendix H of the CoPA Laureate shall enable each external examiner to engage with students on the Module or Programme for which the external examiner is responsible via an on-line discussion forum, where UoL has requested that this be facilitated. Page 8 of 13

9 10.9 The policy on mitigating circumstances in relation to performance in assessments is given in Appendix M of the CoPA. Details of how this is operated for the on-line programmes are detailed in Appendix The policy for dealing with copying, plagiarism, collusion and fabrication of data is given in Appendix L of the CoPA. There is specific provision within this policy for dealing with on-line Programmes Laureate is responsible for recording module marks and forwarding marks to UoL Laureate is responsible for disclosing results to student making it clear when results are provisional and subject to confirmation by the relevant BoE Laureate shall forward all marks to the relevant UoL member of staff after the BoE who shall be responsible for entering on to the UoL student management system. The Chair of each BoE is responsible for confirming the marks have been entered accurately. 11. RELEASING PROGRAMME RESULTS 11.1 Laureate shall be responsible for releasing Programme results to the student after the relevant BoE s meeting. 12. TRANSCRIPTS, CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION AND GRADUATION ARRANGEMENTS 12.1 UoL shall be responsible for transcripts, certificates of qualification and graduation arrangements. The operational details of how Laureate shall liaise with the UoL are outlined in Appendix STUDENT REPRESENTATION 13.1 Laureate shall hold staff student liaison committees that report to BoS according to the details outlined in Appendix EVALUATION FROM STUDENTS 14.1 Laureate shall ensure that students have the opportunity to provide evaluation on their Programme of study in accordance with the UoL policy on student evaluation as set out in the UoL Quality Framework Laureate shall provide to the UoL full, unedited copies of all students evaluations of their Modules and/or Programme The UoL shall inform Laureate of its response to matters raised in the students evaluations that relate to the content of the Modules or the Programmes and Laureate shall be responsible for communicating this to the students. Page 9 of 13

10 14.4 Laureate shall agree with the UoL the response to students on matters raised in the students evaluations that relate to the delivery of the Modules or the Programmes. Laureate shall be responsible for communicating this to the students Laureate shall determine its response to students on matters raised in the students evaluations that relate to support or other, non-academic services provided by Laureate. Laureate shall be responsible for communicating this to students and shall report its response to the UoL The normal mechanism for receiving student feedback and the response to it is through the End of Module Reports that are submitted to each BoS (see section 7 above). 15. REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS FOR DISABLED STUDENTS 15.1 UoL shall provide a statement outlining support for students with disabilities and reasonable adjustment for disabled students that is agreed with Laureate. Laureate shall be responsible for ensuring that appropriate support and/or reasonable adjustment for disabled students is put in place. 16. STUDENT SUPPORT 16.1 Laureate shall allocate appropriate levels of on-line support. The roles and responsibilities of the Laureate student support manager, including how they liaise with the UoL, are detailed in Appendix STUDENT COMPLAINTS 17.1 Laureate shall provide a student complaints procedure that has been approved by the On-line Programmes Policy and Planning Committee. The details of how this shall operate are given in Appendix ACADEMIC APPEALS 18.1 Students of on-line taught postgraduate Programmes may make an assessment appeal in accordance with the Assessment Appeals Procedure (Appendix F of the CoPA) Students of on-line professional doctorate Programmes may make an assessment appeal in accordance with the Regulations for Research Degree Appeals (Appendix G of the CoPA) Students may appeal against a decision of the Board of Examiners acting as a Progression Board to terminate his or her studies either because of withdrawal or unsatisfactory progress. The appeal shall be heard by the appropriate Faculty Progress Committee as specified in Appendix E of the CoPA. 19. PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATES 19.1 Each research student shall have a supervisory team containing a primary supervisor who is the clearly identified point of contact. Page 10 of 13

11 19.2 Each member of the supervisory team should meet the usual UoL requirements for appointment as a postgraduate research (PGR) supervisor (according to the University of Liverpool Code of Practice on Research Student Supervision). In addition, each member of the supervisory team shall undergo an induction programme jointly agreed by UoL and Laureate One member of the supervisory team should normally be a member of academic staff employed by the UoL For each professional doctorate Programme, there shall be a process for UoL to approve research proposals and to ensure that projects have appropriate research ethics approval The progress of each student shall be reviewed three times a year by a progress review panel (the Student Progress Panel ) that shall be independent of the supervisory team. The progress review panel shall consider a written report from the student and the primary supervisor and will decide whether the students progress is satisfactory, and if not will take steps to support the student until they reach a satisfactory level of progress or recommend termination The UoL Director of Studies for each professional doctorate Programme shall produce an annual monitoring report to the relevant BoS, detailing the progression and completion information for the Programme benchmarked against appropriate internal and external indicators. The report shall also comment on the quality of the research outputs from the Programmes in the context in which the Programme is being offered and on the quality of the supervision. Annual monitoring reports shall be submitted to the Board of Study for Online Programmes. 20. UoL MONITORING AND OVERSIGHT OF THE PARTNERSHIP 20.1 There shall be a written and legally binding agreement, the Institutional Agreement, between UoL and Laureate that sets out the rights and obligations of each of the parties to the partnership. It shall be signed by the Vice Chancellor of UoL and a senior representative of Laureate with appropriate authority to sign a legally binding agreement The UoL will conduct an annual monitoring visit to the Amsterdam offices of Laureate normally in the spring term of each year to ensure that the terms of the are being met and to discuss the implication of any changes to UoL policies or procedures In advance of the annual monitoring visit, Laureate will submit a Self Evaluation Document showing how the terms of the are being met. The UoL may specify additional areas to be covered by the document A review of the business and commercial aspects of the UoL/Laureate partnership shall be held four times a year. It shall be attended by appropriate senior staff from each organisation. Page 11 of 13

12 20.5 The UoL shall run the committees and groups listed below in accordance with the requirements set out in Appendix 2 to this Agreement. The UoL will ensure that sufficient and appropriate members, who shall be UoL staff, are appointed to the committees and groups to satisfy the quoracy requirements and to conduct the business of the committee or group. The chair and secretary to the committees and groups will be staff from the UoL and the UoL will be responsible for scheduling and hosting the committees and groups on the UoL campus Laureate shall provide to UoL such information, data and reports as required to conduct the business of these committees and groups Laureate shall ensure there are sufficient and appropriate Laureate staff able to attend and contribute to the business of these committees and groups These committees and groups are: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) The On-line Programmes Planning and Policy Committee; The Academic and Operational Sub Group for On-line Programmes; Boards of Studies; Boards of Examiners Laureate shall provide to the UoL information and data about the Programmes and students on the Programmes as required by the UoL for its annual subject review process as set out in the UoL Quality Framework Laureate shall provide to the UoL information and data about the Programmes and students on the Programmes as required by the UoL for its periodic review process as set out in the UoL Quality Framework Laureate shall provide to the UoL information and data about the Programmes, the students on the Programmes and the relationship between UoL and Laureate, and shall provide all other reasonable requests for support for the UoL to meet its obligations in respect of any review of the UoL conducted by the Quality Assurance Agency. 21. INFORMATION TO STUDENTS 21.1 The UoL is ultimately responsible for all information that is given to students or is available to students on the Laureate or UoL website, but Laureate shall undertake to make every effort to ensure that the information that it provides or makes available to students is fit for purpose, accessible and accurate The UoL is responsible for all information about the UoL, its Programmes, Modules and all relevant policies, regulations and requirements that are given to Laureate employees or is available to them on the Laureate or UoL website, but Laureate shall undertake to make every effort to ensure that the information that it provides or makes available to students is fit for purpose, accessible and accurate. Page 12 of 13

13 21.3 All formal documentation that is given to on-line students shall be approved by the UoL The UoL shall regularly monitor information that is available to students on the Laureate website and advise if there are any areas where information does not accurately represent UoL policy or procedure. 22. AMENDMENT 22.1 This Framework may be amended with the written agreement of UoL and Laureate. Any such amendment shall be certified by the signatures of the Vice-Chancellor of UoL and a senior representative of Laureate with appropriate authority to sign a legally binding agreement. Page 13 of 13