EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) PRO-FORMA
Legislation says that the University must take steps to understand the effect, or potential effect, of its
policies* on different groups of people. This is to ensure that a policy is neither directly nor indirectly
discriminatory and to identify how it does, or could, advance equality and foster good relations
between different groups of people.
Legislation groups people by ‘protected characteristics’ and it is these ‘protected characteristics’ that
need to be considered when carrying out an EIA.
The protected characteristics are: disability, race, sex, age, gender reassignment, marriage and
civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
Your help is needed to do this, not just because the law says so, but because the University is
committed to equality of opportunity for all and to ensuring that all the University’s policies are
developed with an awareness of their consequences for different groups of people.
Heads of Sections/Departments are responsible for ensuring this form is completed for each policy
they ‘own’. It should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. Questions 1-6 only of this EIA proforma need to be completed for new policies. For existing policies, please answer all the questions.
Policies should be assessed for their effect on equality every 3-5 years.
* For the purpose of EIAs, the term policy refers to formal policies, procedures and processes. It does
not include informal policies, procedures or processes.
Name of policy
Study by Credit Accumulation
Web address of policy
http://www.essex.ac.uk/quality/university_policies/creditaccumulation.asp
Policy-holding Department/Section
Is this a new or existing policy?
Academic Standards and Partnerships
Academic Section
Existing
Date assessment completed
15/04/2013
Name and job title of person completing
pro-forma
Adam Atkins
Academic Section Project Assistant
Q1. What is the purpose of the policy?
This policy outlines the process that should be followed by University staff wishing to introduce
modular study at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Q2. Does the policy involve, or have consequences for, the people the University serves and
employs?
Yes. The policy outlines the process of approval that should be followed by University staff looking to
introduce modular study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Should these guidelines not be
consulted, the course may not comply with University criteria and will not be approved.
Q3. Does the policy require decisions to be made in relation to individuals or groups of
individuals?
Yes. Departments wishing to introduce modular study must first seek approval via the Faculty Dean
on behalf of the Faculty Board. Where appropriate a Validation Panel may be required.
Q4. What is the decision-making process and is it fair and transparent?
1
Departments who wish to introduce modular study must seek specific approval from the University. To
do this, they must first engage with staff in the Communications and External Relations Section to
determine whether a potential market for modular study exists. This information, along with a general
case stating why the course is academically coherent, should be supported by the Head of
Department. Once this has been approved, the case will be presented to the Dean on behalf of the
Faculty Board for final approval. In some cases a validation panel will be required.
This process demonstrates a fair process where the proposal of a new course will be dependent on
its suitability in accordance with University policy with regards to academic standards.
Q5. Please give details of what equality training is/will be provided for decision makers?
All University Staff are required to complete the equality and diversity online training programme.
Q6. Referring to the list of protected characteristics at the top of this form, how do you/will you
monitor the effect this policy has on groups of people with these PCs?
Any detrimental effect on persons with any particular protected characteristic identified by monitoring
or complaint will be investigated and if necessary appropriate remedial action will be taken.
Q7. Referring to Q6 above, have you identified any positive or negative impact on any group of
people who share a protected characteristic?
N/A
Q8. Have there been any complaints or issues raised about the policy in relation to its effect
on people who share a protected characteristic?
No
Q9. Are there any (further) measures that could be taken to continue to ensure the policy is
neither directly nor indirectly discriminatory?
N/A
Q10. Have you identified any ways in which the policy does, or could advance equality or
foster good relations between different groups of people?
N/A
Please now email the completed form to diversity@essex.ac.uk. The Equality and Diversity
Committee (EADC) have responsibility for overseeing the completion of EIAs. Equality and Diversity
will assess the information provided in the first instance and will either:



Decide that no action is required and report this to the Equality and Diversity Committee;
Recommend actions to be taken and report this to the Equality and Diversity Committee *;
Refer the EIA to the Equality and Diversity Committee who have the option to require a more
detailed assessment be carried out.
The individual completing the EIA pro-forma will be informed of the outcome of the assessment by
Equality and Diversity as soon as possible after submitting the form.
*If Equality and Diversity recommend action(s) be taken, a report outlining the progress made against
the recommended actions will be requested one year after the EIA has taken place.
2
For completion by Equality and Diversity
Name of Policy
Study by Credit Accumulation
Should this EIA be referred on to the Equality
and Diversity Committee for further
consideration?
No.
If no, what recommendations, if any, should
be made to the Policy-holding
Department/Section?
None.
Date:
30 August 2013
Signed
Karen Bush, Equality and Diversity Manager
3