Coventry University
Boards of Study
Constitution and Terms of Reference
1 Purpose and scope
A Board of Study shall be established by the relevant Faculty/School Board (hereafter
referred to as Faculty Board) for each set of related courses in the University. The Board of
Study is responsible to the relevant Faculty Board for the academic quality, standards
assurance and quality enhancement of modules, courses and students’ programmes of study.
In fulfilling its purpose and scope, the Board of Study will operate within the purview of the
University’s Quality Enhancement Framework.
2 Terms of reference
.1
To advise the relevant Faculty Board on the structure, organisation, curriculum, regulations
and enterprise activity of the courses and modules within the remit of the Board of Study.
.2
To assure and enhance the standards and quality of courses and modules by:
(a) developing and rationalising the course curriculum, course arrangements, modules and
related matters, subject to the policies of the Faculty Board, the Strategic Academic Planning
Group, the Quality Assurance Committee and Academic Board. The Board of Study is
responsible for the final approval of the course definitive documentation (ie programme
specifications, module descriptors and business plans) prior to submission to the Review and
Approval Panel;
(b) developing and promoting innovative high quality teaching and effective student learning,
and in doing so will review and make recommendations to the Faculty Board on enhancing
teaching, learning and assessment objectives and strategies. The Board of Study will strive
to ensure that appropriate standards are maintained in the setting and marking of
assessments;
(c) providing new and continuing module descriptors for the Module Information Directory and
for approval purposes;
(d) establishing Course Consultative Committees as appropriate. The Course Director or
Programme Manager will chair the relevant Course Consultative Committees and report
feedback and issues requiring attention to the Board of Study.
(e) monitoring the delivery of modules, the evaluation of individual modules by students, and
monitoring pass rates as part of the AQM process, and taking appropriate action;
(f) monitoring progression, student achievement and retention.
.3
To keep abreast of pedagogical and educational developments, with particular reference to
external developments which might affect course design.
.4
To advise the Dean of Faculty on relevant resource requirements.
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.5
To ensure that the Library, Estates, IT Services and other service departments are aware of
possible new demands on their resources.
.6
To liaise with or seek the advice of the External Examiner(s) or Professional Statutory or
Regulatory Bodies.
.7
To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of each course and constituent module (including
External Examiner and student feedback) and submit to the Faculty Board each year an
annual report on the operation of the courses and modules during the preceding academic
year as part of the Annual Quality Monitoring process.
.8
To submit to the Faculty Board(s) the relevant documentation for the course(s) and modules
prior to renewal of approval or periodic review as appropriate within the Quality Enhancement
Framework.
.9
To consider such matters that the Faculty Board may request.
.10
To set up such working groups as it considers necessary to advise on matters within its
purview or to effect specific aspects of its Terms of Reference.
3 Constitution
.1
The members of each Board of Study shall comprise at any time:
(a) at least two members of academic staff responsible for teaching on each course within the
remit of the Board of Study;
(b) the Course Director or Programme Manager for each of the courses or group of courses
within the remit of the Board of Study;
(c) an Associate Dean or Head of Department nominated by the Dean - Chair;
(d) At least four students enrolled on courses within the purview of the Board of Study.
.2
The Dean of Faculty and Faculty Registrar has a right to be in attendance.
.3
The specific constitution of each Board of Study shall be presented by the responsible Chair
for approval by the Faculty Board(s), and may include members external to the University
who are involved in course delivery.
.4
The Chair of the Faculty Board, with the agreement of the Chair of the Quality Assurance
Committee, may extend the constitution to include members from Partner institutions, where
a course is offered wholly or in part at that institution under a franchise agreement and/or
representatives from Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies, service-users and
industry where appropriate.
.5
Members of staff concerned with teaching, tutoring and providing services to the courses and
modules within the remit of the Board of Study but not constituted members of the Board, may
attend meetings and have the right to speak.
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.6
The quorum shall be half of the stated membership.
4 Administrative arrangements
.1
Conduct of meetings and minutes shall be in accordance with University practice.
.2
The Secretary shall be nominated by the Faculty Registrar.
.3
Meetings are expected to take place at least once per term.
.4
The Chair shall be entitled to invite the External Examiner(s) or others as appropriate.
.5
Circulation of Papers
All members of the Board
Dean
Faculty Registrar
Subject Librarian
Director of IT Services
Faculty Chair of the Students’ Union
Secretary
Quality Enhancement Unit representative
5 Notes
.1
Academic staff members of a Board of Study may be from any Faculty.
.2
The establishment of Boards of Study within Faculties will be co-ordinated by the Quality
Assurance Committee.
.3
Any appeals with respect to unresolved issues between Faculties should be referred to the
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Student Experience).
.4
Each Faculty will operate the revised quality assurance procedures set down by the
Academic Board within the Quality Enhancement Framework and will not set up any local
administrative arrangements on top of those specified by the University.
.5
As a matter of course, it is anticipated that there will be external input into the Boards of Study
through links with any Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies, industry, employers and
colleagues in the HE sector. Where this applies Boards of Study should receive regular
reports to identify good practice.
July 2005
Approved by Academic Board on 13 July 2005
Revised by the Themed Audit Working Group on the Operation of Boards of Study in January 2008
Approved by Academic Board on 4 June 2008
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