Extract taken from Academic Quality Management and Enhancement Framework
Handbook
Section 2
Curriculum Design and Approval
2.2.3 Key Reference Points
In designing the programme the Team will be expected to reference the
principles of the University Strategy 2007-2012 summed up by INSPIRE:
Innovation,
Nurturing
Talent,
Student
Experience,
Participation,
Internationalisation, Research and Exchange
(table 1 below) and the University Academic Regulations and
Procedures.
A range of University Policies underpinning learning and teaching should also
inform the design of the programme.
UWE Learning Teaching and Assessment Strategy
UWE Work-Based Learning Policy
UWE E-learning Policy
UWE Technology Enhanced Learning Strategy
UWE Employability Strategy
UWE Equality Framework
UWE Internationalisation Strategy
UWE Widening Participation Strategy
UWE Sustainability Strategy
UWE Research Strategy
UWE Knowledge Exchange Strategy
UWE Guidelines on the use of the professional doctorates framework
UWE Guidelines on the use of the Masters by Research framework
The relevance of a particular policy or strategy will be dependent upon
Faculty priorities and this should be clearly reflected in the
documentation submitted, which should include evidence of how the
award addresses policy priorities. In some cases toolkits have been
designed to provide practical advice and guidance for Programme
Design Teams.
External reference points and requirements should be taken into account in
the design of the programme:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Recent developments in learning and teaching and research;
The QAA Academic Infrastructure, including the Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications, the QAA Code of Practice and Qualification
and Subject Benchmark Statements
[ soon to be the UK Quality Code for Higher Education] link to QAA];
SEEC Credit Level Descriptors;
National Occupation Standards;
Professional Statutory and Regulatory Body standards and
requirements (if appropriate).
TABLE 1
INSPIRE
QMEF
Innovation - Our focus is to pioneer and
advance in all we do. We will be connected,
engaged and enterprising. Our priority is to
establish greater connectivity between our
research, learning and teaching, community,
public and employer engagement, and our
infrastructure and professional services, in order
to drive innovation.
This will be met in programme
design and delivery, including via
partnership
with
business,
community
organisations
and
professions,
maximising
opportunities for flexible and
distributed learning and technology
enhanced
learning
to
meet
increasingly
competitive
and
challenging market needs.
This will be addressed through upskilling and supporting professional
staff to operate university processes
will allow academic staff to focus on
pedagogy and
research and
Knowledge Exchange to underpin
practice and inform the University’s
increasingly innovative curricula
Good curriculum design, approval
and review is fundamental to a high
quality student learning experience
and employability of the University’s
graduates
Nurturing talent - Our priority for 2007-2012 is
to strengthen the ‘One University’ ethos across
UWE, enabling staff to work effectively and
efficiently across disciplines and departmental
boundaries towards the realisation of our
common vision
Student experience - Our focus is to provide an
excellent student experience. We will be the
best for student representation; the best for
preparing graduates for work and life after
graduation; and the best for supporting student
learning and well-being in a vibrant, healthy and
sustainable learning environment.
Participation - We believe that everyone with the
potential to benefit from higher education should
have the opportunity to do so, whatever their
background. Taking on the challenge of
widening access and participation is a crucial
part of our mission
Ensuring that our programmes are
appropriate for a diverse range of
learners will be a key feature of the
QME Framework
INSPIRE
QMEF
Internationalisation
Building
on
our
international successes and enhancing the
‘UWE Global’ brand are key features of our
Strategic Plan. Our graduates are entering a
global society, and we aim to make sure that
through our strategic partnerships they are
prepared for and can make the most of this
environment. UWE itself is also part of this
global
society.
Through
our
strategic
partnerships we aim to extend our capacity to
raise aspirations across the world; we aim to
boost inter-cultural communication, awareness
and understanding at home and abroad; and we
aim to enhance our work in collaboration with
our partners in emerging economies, to help
support them as these develop.
This will be addressed both in terms
of globalisation (competition and
marketability) of UWE and its
academic
offering.
Internationalisation of curriculum
and the student body will be
achieved through early testing of
proposals and at approval and
through monitoring and review
Research - Our priority for 2010-2012 is to
enhance our reputation for excellent research
that has a positive impact on the economy and
society, advancing solutions to some of the
most pressing concerns facing us regionally,
nationally and internationally
Curricula will be informed by staff
research and scholarly activity
Exchange - Our priority is to identify, recognise
and raise the profile of our already impressive
portfolio of public engagement activity, to the
benefit of all our users.
Partnership with business, public
sector and communities is a key
driver in innovation in curriculum
design and delivery including
innovating in the area of work based
learning,
providing
alternative
sources of income and enhancing
student learning and employability
Where programme design involves collaborative provision ie delivery of whole or
part of a programme leading to a UWE award by an external education or training
provider designated by Academic Board as an affiliated institution of UWE,
Programme Design Teams should consult the Collaborative Provision team,
Corporate and Academic Services (Sue Yilmaz: susan.yilmaz@uwe.ac.uk) and
should also take account of the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
The UWE Collaborative Provision Handbook
The UWE Federation Strategy
UWE Federation collaborative provision: a code of practice for UWE staff and
Education Training Providers
UWE Guidance on the use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) on UWE
courses delivered by Federation Colleges
Programme Design Teams should also design their curriculum to align with the
following requirements:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
The University no longer recognises placement learning through ‘P’ credit.
All learning achieved during placement that is assessed under the
University’s regulations must be awarded standard credit;
In addition, Sandwich (SW) awards must incorporate at least 20 standard
credits at level 2 or above which reflect and assess the learning and skills
acquired during the placement period such as independent reflective and
reflexive learning, enhanced levels of critical self-awareness etc. (UWE Work
Based Learning policy refers)
Common curriculum within awards at level 1: All undergraduate awards
should offer a diet of compulsory modules (i.e. no optional modules) to first
year students as a means of supporting a more programme focused
approach to the curriculum and of providing a more coherent learning
experience for students as they make the transition to HE level study (The
UWE Academic Portfolio project, Academic Board paper AB/11/6/5 refers).
guaranteed minimum contact hours. Programme Design Teams should
consult the QAA’s Contact Hours a guide for students, and the current
programme and module specification template and guidance
The credit framework set out in UWE Academic Regulations and Procedures.
The approved module sizes with effect from September 2012 will normally be
15, 30, 60 credits, with exceptions for CPD provision and Masters by
Research.
A Template for Programme Design has been developed to assist the programme
design team to ensure that relevant policies, strategies and external reference
points can be clearly mapped to the programme proposal. This template will also
assist the Curriculum Approval Panels in their deliberations on approval by ensuring
that they have all the information they require to make an informed decision.