Job_Dean
JOB DESCRIPTION
PREPARATORY YEAR COORDINATOR
Department: Faculty Dean Office
Classification:
Last Updated: July 2011
Reports to: Faculty Dean
No. of Direct Reports: Variable
JOB PURPOSE
The Preparatory Year Coordinator (PYC) is a senior academic staff member who will contribute to the
strategic development of the Preparatory stage and be responsible for its efficient delivery and management.
S/he will provide academic leadership, allocate academic and administrative responsibilities to the staff to
ensure the sound functioning of the programme. S/he will strive to ensure smooth and orderly transition of
the students from high school to a university environment.
The Preparatory Year Coordinator (PYC) plays a key role in ensuring that the Preparatory Year Programme
(PYP) fulfills its three functions, namely:
1. to offer subject-specific grounding in the student’s degree area in what also counts as the first year of the
degree;
2. to provide students with the skills required to succeed in a system of British higher education, with its
emphasis on independent learning; and
3. to ensure a developmental approach to the student’s transition from school to university in terms of
appropriate delivery of the academic programme and skills, as well as in providing learning and personal
support.
The PYC, liaising with the Dean and faculty T&L Coordinator, and the Heads of Department will, at faculty
level, develop, embed and monitor the faculty’s PYP in all the above three respects. S/he will do so
consistent with the requirements of the University’s central Teaching and Learning Committee. S/he will
represent the Preparatory Year at Heads of Department meetings and other Committees, working parties
and groups of the Faculty or University as required.
RESPONSIBILITIES





To work collaboratively with academic staff on the development of a shared vision for the Preparatory
Year and on the planning, development and implementation of the curriculum;
To ensure that the academic programme adequately prepares the students for their chosen specialisms in
the following years.
To ensure the adoption of UK academic standards and quality assurance practices in learning and
teaching throughout the programme;
To monitor, review and upgrade the programme contents on a regular basis to maximise its value as a
developmental programme;
To ensure appropriate provision of study skills, including not only general skills (e.g. time management,
academic honesty and exam technique) but also technical skills related to information retrieval and elearning;
Employee Job Description
Page 1/1

















To lead on the PYP’s Annual Quality Enhancement Cycle, with particular reference to the Annual
Programme Review (APR) and the preparation and monitoring of the Development Plan (DP);
To ensure that academic staff, including part-time staff, assigned to teach in the PYP deliver the
academic programme in an appropriately communicative and developmental manner, and that they
receive appropriate staff development;
To ensure that Teaching Assistants assigned to the PYP are aware of their responsibilities and receive
appropriate training in teaching and learning;
To coordinate and minute regular meetings as required with academic staff and teaching assistants
teaching in the faculty’s PYP, to ensure alignment of teaching purposes and practices, facilitate delivery
and development of the programme, and share good practice.
To coordinate induction programmes for PYP students;
To coordinate and monitor the Personal Tutoring system for PYP students, ensuring relevant staff
development for the Personal Tutors;
To coordinate provision of a planned programme of learning support workshops and tutorials with the
Library, English Department, eLearning Coordinator and Personal Tutors;
To ensure that students receive relevant instruction on Health and Safety:
To monitor students at risk and coordinate learning support during modules and for resits;
To be responsible for academic staff induction, performance review and mentoring full-time and parttime staff in coordination with other departments;
To require and monitor staff attendance of relevant staff development workshops as deemed
appropriate for the PYP;
To meet with students in a variety of forums to assess strengths and challenges for students in their
academic and professional lives, initiating and developing opportunities for students' intellectual and
professional development, to complement and extend their preparation for specialized study;
To communicate the University's strategic goals, new regulations and policy developments to members
of staff and explain the rationale for change;
To disseminate information from meetings of the Faculty Council;
To represent the Preparatory Year’s views and interests both within the Faculty and the University as
well as more broadly;
To teach at least one module per semester appropriate to his/her training and experience;
To undertake other duties as reasonably may be required by the Faculty Dean or Vice Dean.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Aspect
Essential
Qualifications
 A PhD
Experience
 At least five years’ experience of
teaching and research in a leading
University

A combination of a personal
academic record of significant
achievements, relevant experience at
a senior level inside higher education
Desirable




A national/international profile of
leadership in learning and teaching
A track record of regular publications
in high impact research journals.
Pedagogical experience
Experience in staff development
Employee Job Description
Page 2/1
Skills
Attributes
Other
and
and knowledge of the faculty.
 Vision and ambition to achieve the
highest standards in the quality of
taught programmes and innovation in
all aspects of learning and teaching
 Excellent interpersonal,
communication and presentation
skills in a multi-cultural environment
 Strong leadership and organisational
and time management skills
 The ability to deal with large volumes
of paperwork
 The ability to manage a number of
initiatives
and
relationships
simultaneously
 The ability to chair formal and
informal meetings
 The ability to delegate
 Competence in ICT and e-learning
skills
 The ability to work effectively as an
ambassador for the University at a
national and international level
 A commitment to developing the
BUE along British educational lines
Employee Job Description
Page 3/1