THE SENATE PATHWAY APPROVAL REPORT (Franchised Provision) A confirmed report of the event held on 1st May 2009 to consider the approval of the following pathways: HNC Construction HND Construction Management HNC Civil Engineering HND Civil Engineering Faculty of Science and Technology Delivery of Pathways at University Centre Peterborough Quality Assurance Division SECTION A – OUTCOME SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The purpose of the event was to consider the franchise of the HNC Construction, HND Construction Management, HNC Civil Engineering and HND Civil Engineering pathways for delivery at University Centre Peterborough. 1.2 The pathways will be located in the Construction Programme within the Department of the Built Environment in the Faculty of Science and Technology. 2. CONCLUSIONS 2.1 The Panel recommends to the Senate the franchise of the following pathways: HNC Construction; HND Construction Management; HNC Civil Engineering; HND Civil Engineering. Approval, once confirmed, will be for an indefinite period, subject to Anglia Ruskin’s continuing quality assurance procedures. The mode of attendance for each pathway will be full-time and part-time. Minimum and maximum student numbers for each intake to each pathway will be 12 and 20 respectively. 2.2 The following pathways have been accredited by the listed professional or statutory body: HNC Construction – Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) HND Construction Management – Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) HNC Civil Engineering – Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) acting on behalf of ICE, IstructE, IHIE for the Engineering Council UK HND Civil Engineering – Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) acting on behalf of ICE, IstructE, IHIE for the Engineering Council UK 2.3 Conditions Approval is subject to the following conditions which were set by the Panel. A copy of the response must be lodged with the Executive Officer by the date(s) detailed below: 2.3.1 Details of Condition Deadline Response to be considered by The Proposal Team [Anglia Ruskin and University Centre, Peterborough] shall address the issues detailed in the technical report and submit electronic final versions of the Pathway Specification Forms (PSFs) to include separate structure diagrams for both full-time and parttime delivery at University Centre, Peterborough [see paragraph 8.1]; 11th June 2009 Chair Executive Officer & Technical Officer Quality Assurance Division 2 Confirmed 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.4 The Proposal Team [University Centre, Peterborough] shall provide written confirmation that the specialist learning resources required for the delivery of the pathways, subject of a capital bid to the College, will be purchased and available to students at the commencement of the pathways in September 2009 [see paragraph 6.2]; The Proposal Team [University Centre, Peterborough] shall provide electronic final versions of all staff CVs and tables showing the final allocation of staff to modules for each pathway for inclusion in the Register of Teaching Staff [see paragraph 6.9]. 11th June 2009 Chair & Executive Officer 11th June 2009 Chair & Executive Officer Recommendations The following recommendations for quality enhancement were made by the Panel. A copy of the responses to the recommendations listed below must be lodged with the Executive Officer. The Faculty Board for the Faculty of Science and Technology will consider the responses at its meeting of 5th October 2009: 2.4.1 2.4.2 2.5 Details of Recommendation The Panel recommends that the teaching team at University Centre Peterborough pursue membership of the Higher Education Academy through the staff development process [see paragraph 6.8]; The Panel recommends that the Proposal Team [Anglia Ruskin and University Centre, Peterborough] further develop the Student Handbooks for each pathway, taking account of the following: Further Anglia Ruskin guidance on the content of Student Handbooks following the Quality Enhancement Audit of Student Handbooks; The points raised by the Panel in the checklist of issues [see paragraph 8.2]. Deadline 7th September 2009 7th September 2009 Issues Referred to the Senate (or appropriate standing committee) The Panel did not identify any institution-wide issues as requiring the attention of the Senate or the appropriate standing committee of the Senate. Quality Assurance Division 3 Confirmed SECTION B – DETAIL OF DISCUSSION AND PANEL CONCLUSIONS 3 RATIONALE 3.1 The Construction, Technical and Professional Department of Peterborough Regional College, in conjunction with the Joint Venture Company, University Centre Peterborough (UCP), seeks approval to deliver HNC/D provision to replace the existing Edexcel Higher National Construction and Civil Engineering qualifications. The Proposal Team expressed confidence that the local/regional market, that has for many years supported HE provision in Construction and Civil Engineering at Peterborough, will welcome the new provision through University Centre Peterborough as a positive move in continuing to offer and expand good quality HE provision in the Greater Peterborough area. The Proposal Team also intended to seek approval to deliver the BSc in Construction Management from 2010 to provide progression from HNC/D to honours degree level for current students and for those in the area who had previously gained such qualifications. 3.2 The Construction, Technical and Professional Department of Peterborough Regional College has a long standing tradition of offering the Edexcel validated Higher National programmes. HNC Construction programmes currently offer students a two year grounding in a range of Construction professional and technical related disciplines, including; Management Principles, Technology, Design Principles, Site Surveying, Health and Safety, Science and Building Services. The current HNC Civil Engineering programme offers a similar grounding, with the addition of Geology and Soil Mechanics and Structural Analysis. 3.3 The Panel discussed the level of recruitment that UCP expected to the pathways and the number of existing Edexcel students that were due to complete their pathways at the end of the 2009/10 academic year. The Team informed the Panel that the current target for recruitment was 16 students to both HNC Construction and HNC Civil Engineering. There would also be approximately 14 students continuing on each of the Edexcel Construction and Civil Engineering courses. The Team further informed the Panel that the intention was to recruit approximately 12 students per HND pathway via the accreditation of student’s prior learning. 3.4 The Team planned to market the HND pathways to the previous three cohorts of students who had graduated with HNCs in Construction or Civil Engineering at UCP. The Panel also learned that the Team had received interest in the full-time routes from students currently on National Diploma courses and others who had lost jobs as a result of the economic downturn. The Panel enquired why the decision had been made to change from the Edexcel Higher National courses to the Anglia Ruskin pathways at this time. The Team responded that UCP was seeking approval from Anglia Ruskin for a range of pathways from Higher Nationals to Foundation Degrees and Honours Degrees which would provide a structure within which students could progress seamlessly through to Honours Degree at UCP. The Panel welcomed the additional information provided by the Team. 4 CURRICULUM DESIGN, CONTENT AND DELIVERY 4.1 The Panel was interested to learn whether the Team intended to recruit to both the HNC and HND pathways in September 2009 and the arrangements for progression from HNC to HND. The Team informed the Panel that new students would only be enrolled on the HNC pathways initially, due to the removal of Government funding for equal or lesser qualifications. Those students would, however, be able to progress seamlessly to the HND. The Team further explained that the HNC pathways had been designed with 90 credits at Level 1 and 30 credits at Level 2; students wishing to progress to the HND would receive APL for the 30 Level 2 credits that had already been studied for the HNC. Quality Assurance Division 4 Confirmed 4.2 The Panel continued the discussion by enquiring whether the HND pathways would commence in September 2009 if all students were due to be enrolled on HNC pathways. The Team responded that the HND pathways would only be available to students entering with APL initially, until the first cohort of students had completed the HNC pathways and wished to progress to HND. The Panel was interested to learn whether the delivery of the HNC pathways, potential delivery of the HND pathways and continuation of the Edexcel courses would mean a marked increase in student numbers for the teaching team at UCP to manage. The Team responded that an initial cohort of approximately 30 students was anticipated for the HNC pathways with approximately 27 students completing Edexcel courses, meaning 45-50 students overall for the 2009/10 academic year. This would be an increase of approximately 25-30 students on existing provision but was considered to be manageable by the existing staff team. The Panel was reassured by the information provided and was satisfied that the staff base was sufficient to manage the increase in student numbers and support the delivery of the pathways. 4.3 A discussion took place regarding the selection of modules to be offered to students at Peterborough from those available on the HND pathways at Anglia Ruskin. The Team informed the Panel that modules had been chosen on the basis of staff expertise and the size of the staff base at UCP. The modules chosen would, however, meet the criteria for students to progress to Honours Degree level and the Professional Body requirements for both Construction and Civil Engineering. The Panel was reassured that the choice of modules was appropriate and that due consideration had been given to student progression. 4.4 The Panel discussed the relationship between Anglia Ruskin and UCP in the development of curriculum delivery. In particular, the Panel was interested to learn about the discussions that had taken place prior to the submission of the approval documentation. The Team explained that discussions regarding the franchise of Construction and Civil Engineering pathways had been ongoing with Anglia Ruskin during 2008. The Programme Leader (Construction) at Anglia Ruskin had visited UCP to discuss the pathways and their content and delivery, approval documentation had subsequently been written by UCP in close collaboration with the Programme Leader. During the visit to UCP by the Programme Leader it was agreed that the physical resources would need to be improved before the pathways could be franchised (see paragraph 6.2 below). PSFs and MDFs were provided to UCP and documentary requirements for the approval process along with learning, teaching and assessment strategies were discussed. The Panel also learned that Module Guides and their role in the learning and teaching process and the importance of ensuring comparability of delivery for the pathways at both Anglia Ruskin and UCP was also discussed. The Panel welcomed the explanation provided and was reassured that appropriate discussions had taken place. 4.5 In terms of the delivery of individual modules the Panel enquired how the Team intended to ensure the comparability of the teaching programmes. The Team responded that modules would be delivered identically at Anglia Ruskin and UCP to ensure that the student experience and quality of education was comparable. The Panel was provided with a draft document entitled; ‘Guidelines and procedures to be followed by Anglia Ruskin and Regional Partners for Built Environment provision’. It was explained that the document had been developed to clarify the responsibility of collaborative partners and the Department at Anglia Ruskin for specific administrative and quality assurance processes. The Module Leader at Anglia Ruskin was responsible for providing the Module Leader at each collaborative partner institution with the module guide, teaching timetable and assessment details. Students would be able to access all Anglia Ruskin library services, Web-CT and eVision. Teaching materials would also be added to Web-CT by Anglia Ruskin staff for use by student’s at all collaborative partner institutions. The Team further informed the Panel that the Faculty of Science and Technology hosted a Discipline Network Group (DNG) meeting which acted as a forum for academic staff at partner institutions to discuss curriculum and assessment matters with colleagues at Anglia Ruskin. The Department of Quality Assurance Division 5 Confirmed the Built Environment also held a separate meeting following the Faculty DNG to discuss more specific issues with colleagues from partner institutions. The Panel welcomed the mechanisms outlined by the Team to ensure the comparability of delivery and teaching in particular. 4.6 The Panel enquired about the mechanisms in place for the evaluation of module delivery by students. The Team explained that UCP students would complete the same module evaluation questionnaire as core Anglia Ruskin students. UCP staff were familiar with the Anglia Ruskin module evaluation process having recently overseen the completion of the questionnaires by Engineering students. The Team further explained that the links with collaborative partners were supported by a dedicated administrator within the Department of the Built Environment which was considered crucial to the effective delivery of the pathways and provided partners with a single point of contact. The Administrator ensured that all partner institution staff received copies of relevant Codes of Practice, Academic Regulations and would oversee processes such as module evaluation. The Panel was reassured by the explanation provided. 5 ASSESSMENT STRATEGY 5.1 The Panel enquired about the process that would be adopted for the internal moderation of assessment tasks undertaken by students at UCP. The Team responded that moderation procedures would follow those detailed in the Procedural Document to the Senate Code of Practice on the Assessment of Students, also conforming to existing practice at other collaborative partner institutions. Assessment tasks would be moderated internally at UCP and then sent to the Module Leader at Anglia Ruskin where the sample would be checked for comparability with marking standards at other locations of delivery before being sent to the External Examiner. The Panel was satisfied that the proposed moderation procedures accorded with the Procedural Document to the Senate Code of Practice on the Assessment of Students. 6 STAFFING, LEARNING RESOURCES AND STUDENT SUPPORT 6.1 The Panel was provided with a full tour of the physical resources to support the delivery of the pathways at UCP. The Panel viewed construction and engineering laboratories, a brick workshop and equipment including compression testing and concrete testing equipment, vibrating table, CBR testing apparatus and surveying and structures equipment. In addition the Panel also viewed teaching rooms, computer rooms, including computers installed with AutoCAD software, and the College library. 6.2 During the tour of physical resources the Team informed the Panel that various items of equipment and software required for the delivery of the pathways were the subject of a capital bid to the College, including soils and hydraulic equipment and surveying software. A decision was expected from the Vice Principal of Finance and the Board of Governors in June 2009. The Panel was reassured by the submission of the bid but agreed that the availability of the resources was fundamental to the delivery of the pathways and the quality of education provided to students and therefore set a condition requiring written confirmation that the specialist learning resources would be purchased and available to students at the commencement of the pathways in September 2009 [see Condition 2.3.2]. Quality Assurance Division 6 Confirmed 6.3 The Panel also enquired about the availability of computers for students, particularly parttime students, whilst they were on campus. The Team explained that computers were generally available on an open-access basis, except when scheduled AutoCAD classes were taking place. In addition, day release students were not on campus on Fridays which enabled greater access to computers. The Team considered the number of available computers, 77 over 3 rooms, to be sufficient for the needs of students, including the additional students from September 2009. The Panel was satisfied by the explanation provided. 6.4 In terms of the library stock the Panel enquired whether it would be increased in line with the expansion in student numbers in the subject areas. The Team responded that the Academic Director at UCP had confirmed that there would be funds available to purchase the additional texts. The Curriculum Team Manager (Construction) at UCP had been identifying the required texts from the module guides supplied by Anglia Ruskin. The Team further explained that students would also have access to Web-CT, the Anglia Ruskin Digital Library and IHS (formerly Technical Indexes) as additional resources. Anglia Ruskin Digital Library also had access to the Construction Information Service through the database although it was noted that there were currently software licence issues that the Academic Director at UCP was attempting to resolve with Anglia Ruskin to ensure that UCP students could access the resource. 6.5 The Panel further enquired about the library opening hours and whether students, particularly those on day-release, would have sufficient time to access the library. The Team informed the Panel that the library was open from 8.30am to 7.30pm on MondayThursday and from 8.30am to 5pm on Friday. During vacation periods the library was open from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.45pm daily. The Panel learned that students enrolled for HNC pathways would finish their teaching at 6pm but that there would also be other periods during the day when they would be able to visit the library. The current library opening hours were not considered inimical to the needs of students by the Anglia Ruskin Programme Leader. 6.6 The Panel also enquired about Wi-Fi access in the library. The Team informed the Panel that Wi-Fi access was not currently available but that the new University Centre building, due for completion by September 2009, would have Wi-Fi capability and computers with a direct link to the Anglia Ruskin servers to improve access. The Panel thanked the Team for the information provided during the discussions about library resources and access and was reassured that both were appropriate to provide the necessary quality of education to students. 6.7 The Panel asked the Team to confirm whether students would have access to a Student Adviser at UCP as at Anglia Ruskin. The Team confirmed that Chris Todd was the appointed Student Adviser for UCP who retained close links with his counterparts at Anglia Ruskin. 6.8 A discussion took place regarding staff development activity at UCP. The Panel enquired whether any of the staff team at UCP had achieved membership of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). The Team responded that there were no members of the HEA at UCP currently. The Team further informed the Panel that lesson observations were conducted at UCP as part of College quality processes. Observations were carried out by trained observers who taught both at FE and HE level. The observation outcomes included developmental targets. Prior to the formal observation Curriculum Team Managers conducted a developmental lesson observation. The Panel also learned that the College encouraged and funded staff in further academic study. Two members of Construction staff were currently being funded by the College for Masters Level qualifications. The Panel enquired whether there was commitment from UCP to allow staff to attend staff development events at Anglia Ruskin. The Team confirmed that UCP staff had already attended a number of staff development events at Anglia Ruskin including Academic Quality Assurance Division 7 Confirmed Regulations and APL and Admissions training. Collaborative partner staff were also invited to attend staff away days where curriculum delivery, research and assessment was discussed. The Panel welcomed the staff development opportunities available to UCP staff and their inclusion in Anglia Ruskin staff development activities but considered it beneficial that staff pursue HEA membership to support their professional development. The Panel therefore recommended that the teaching team at UCP pursue HEA membership through the staff development process [see Recommendation 2.4.1]. 6.9 The Panel enquired whether all staff within the teaching team would teach on both the Construction and Civil Engineering pathways. The Team responded that some specialist part-time staff would also contribute to the teaching of the modules for the individual pathways. The Panel further enquired whether there were plans to increase staffing levels. The Team informed the Panel that additional staffing had been discussed with the Academic Director and a bid had been submitted for an additional full-time member of staff for September 2009. Despite the bid for an additional member of staff the Team considered the current staffing levels sufficient to deliver the pathways from September 2009. The Panel was satisfied that the staffing levels were appropriate and was reassured by the submission of the bid for an additional member of staff. The Panel was able to formally approved the suitability of staff at UCP to deliver the specified Anglia Ruskin modules but determined to set a condition requiring the submission of final versions of all staff CVs and the final allocation of staff to modules for inclusion in the Anglia Ruskin Register of Teaching Staff at collaborative partner institutions [see Condition 2.3.3]. 7 QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT 7.1 The Panel was interested to learn about arrangements for student representation at formal Committee meetings at UCP. The Team confirmed that there were student representatives for all part-time programmes who were invited to course team meetings, although scheduling meetings when part-time students were on-site was sometimes problematic. The Panel welcomed the attendance of student representatives at course team meetings. 8 DOCUMENTATION 8.1 It was noted by the Panel that the PSFs supplied in the proposal documentation did not contain separate structure diagrams for full-time and part-time delivery at UCP and it was therefore not clear in the PSF which modules would be delivered at UCP. The Panel agreed to set a condition requiring the Proposal Team to address the issues detailed in the technical report and submit electronic final versions of all PSFs including separate structure diagrams for full-time and part-time delivery at UCP [see Condition 2.3.1]. 8.2 The Panel had highlighted some minor issues with regard to the Student Handbooks both during the event and in the checklist of issues. In general, the Panel felt that the handbooks should be specific to the pathways, take account of Anglia Ruskin guidance on the content of Student Handbooks following the Quality Enhancement Audit of Student Handbooks, and make appropriate references to Anglia Ruskin’s Academic Regulations. The Panel therefore recommended that the Proposal Team further develop the Students Handbooks for each pathway [see Recommendation 2.4.2]. 9 CONFIRMATION OF STANDARDS OF AWARDS 9.1 The Panel confirmed that the proposed HNC Construction, HNC Civil Engineering, HND Construction Management and HND Civil Engineering pathways satisfied the University’s Academic Regulations with regard to the definitions and academic standards of Anglia Ruskin awards and, hence, the QAA’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. Quality Assurance Division 8 Confirmed DRAFT UNCONFIRMED CONFIRMED FILE REF OFFICE FILE REF Quality Assurance Division 9 6th August 2009 7th August 2009 20th August 2009 Confirmed SECTION C – DETAILS OF PANEL MEMBERSHIP AND PROPOSAL TEAM Internal Panel Members: Sarah Fitt (Chair) Programme Leader (Languages & Intercultural Communication), Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences Dr Penny English Principal Lecturer (Law), Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences Jon Svensson Principal Lecturer (Radiography), Faculty of Health and Social Care External Panel Members: Dr Philip Westwood School of the Environment, University of Brighton Executive Officer: Richard Monk Deputy Head of Quality Assurance, Quality Assurance Division, Academic Office Technical Officer: Alex Toole Academic Regulations Officer, Quality Assurance Division, Academic Office Members of Proposal Team: Peter Crabtree Programme Leader (Construction), Faculty of Science and Technology, Anglia Ruskin University Paul McDermott Academic Director, University Centre Peterborough Barbara Mehew Company Human Resource Manager, Princebuild Ltd, Peterborough Tim Moseley Programme Leader (Construction, Engineering & Therapies), University Centre Peterborough Praveen Payyambali Course Co-ordinator, HNC Construction, University Centre Peterborough Gary Thomas Curriculum Team Manager, Construction, University Centre Peterborough Quality Assurance Division 10 Confirmed SECTION D – OUTCOME DATA Programme Department Faculty Collaborative Partner New/amended Awards Approved (nb intended awards Construction Built Environment Faculty of Science and Technology University Centre, Peterborough Title(s) of Named Pathway(s) Attendance mode and duration only, not intermediate awards) HNC Construction Full-time – 1 year Part-time – 2 years HNC Civil Engineering Full-time – 1 year Part-time – 2 years HND Construction Management Full-time – 2 years Part-time – 4 years HND Civil Engineering Full-time – 2 years Part-time – 4 years Validating body (if not Anglia Ruskin University) Professional body accreditation Proposal Team Leader Month and Year of the first intake Standard intake points Maximum and minimum student numbers Date of first Conferment of Award(s) Any additional/specialised wording to appear on transcript and/or award certificate Date of next scheduled Periodic Review Awards and Titles to be deleted (with month/year of last regular conferment) N/A See paragraph 2.2 above Peter Crabtree / Tim Moseley September 2009 September Min: 12, Max 20 (per pathway) HNC – July 2010 HND – July 2011 None To be confirmed N/A NEW MODULES APPROVED None. Quality Assurance Division 11 Confirmed FOR FRANCHISE APPROVALS ONLY: LIST OF MODULE TUTORS AND MODULE CODES & TITLES (FOR INCLUSION IN THE REGISTER OF TEACHING STAFF) Name of Teaching Staff Module Code & Title HNC Construction Module Level 1: EB130001D An Introduction to Technology and Design EB130003D Built Environment and the Economy EB130004D Contextual Skills for the Built Environment Level 2: EB230009D Civil Law and Management Module Leader Supporting Lecturer Gary Thomas Gary Thomas Howard Shipp, Andrew Stubbs & Matthew Gallichan Matthew Gallichan Robert Farquhar Andrew Stubbs Robert Farquhar Andrew Stubbs HND Construction Management Module Level 1: EB130004D Contextual Skills for the Built Environment EB130001D An Introduction to Technology and Design EB130003D Built Environment and the Economy EB115001S Site Management and Safety EB115005S Introduction to Civil Law and Legislation Level 2: EB230003D Environmental Services and Construction Technology EB215011S Construction Project EB230002D Construction Resource Management EB230005D Measurement and Analysis of Prices EB215026S Project Administration Module Leader Supporting Lecturer Robert Farquhar Andrew Stubbs Gary Thomas Gary Thomas Howard Shipp, Andrew Stubbs & Matthew Gallichan Matthew Gallichan Andrew Stubbs Praveen Payyambali Robert Farquhar Howard Shipp David Raymond Gary Thomas David Raymond David Raymond Gary Thomas Gary Thomas David Raymond Continued overleaf Quality Assurance Division 12 Confirmed HNC Civil Engineering Module Level 1: EB130001D An Introduction to Technology and Design EB130004D Contextual Skills for the Built Environment EB115001S Civil Engineering Mathematics EB115004S Geotechnics 1 Level 2: EB230011D The Management of Civil Engineering Works Module Leader Supporting Lecturer Gary Thomas Robert Farquhar Howard Shipp, Andrew Stubbs & Matthew Gallichan Andrew Stubbs Robert Farquhar Praveen Payyambali Nigel Coombs Matthew Gallichan Gary Thomas David Raymond & Andrew Stubbs Module Leader Supporting Lecturer Robert Farquhar Andrew Stubbs Gary Thomas Gary Thomas Howard Shipp, Andrew Stubbs & Matthew Gallichan Nigel Coombs & Howard Shipp Robert Farquhar Praveen Payyambali Andrew Stubbs Praveen Payyambali Nigel Coombs Matthew Gallichan Nigel Coombs Matthew Gallichan & Howard Shipp David Raymond HND Civil Engineering Module Level 1: EB130004D Contextual Skills for the Built Environment EB130001D An Introduction to Technology and Design EB115002S Civil Engineering Works EB115001S Civil Engineering Mathematics EB115001S Site Management and Safety EB115004S Geotechnics 1 Level 2: EB230014D Structural Method and Analysis EB215016S Group Project EB215028S Site and Engineering Surveying EB215017S Hydraulics and Drainage EB215007S Concrete Technology EB215004S Applied Mathematics for Civil Engineers EB215042S Work Related Learning Module EB215046S CAD for Civil Engineers Quality Assurance Division Praveen Payyambali Robert Farquhar Howard Shipp David Raymond Matthew Gallichan Robert Farquhar Praveen Payyambali Gary Thomas Andrew Stubbs 13 Confirmed