Quality at Staffordshire

The University's framework for quality assurance is informed by the following objectives:

Assurance of Academic Standards

At the level of modules and the award(s) to which they lead; the content of programmes and modules; the extent to which the aims and objectives of the programmes and the modules are met.

Quality Learning Experience

Effective approaches to teaching and learning; interesting and relevant modules designed to develop students' knowledge, understanding or competence to the required level; the management of programmes and their individual components; support for students and staff from academic support services and the University's administrative infrastructure.

Opportunities for Student Achievement

Formal assessment and student progression; students' personal level of satisfaction during their studies; the achievement of the University's graduates in securing employment on the completion of their studies.

The objectives outlined above form a quality assurance framework that is underpinned by a set of principles:

Responsibility and Accountability
All staff are responsible for the assurance and improvement of quality, as individuals and through their Faculties/Schools. Students themselves also have a responsibility for quality through their representation on committees of the University and participation in feedback mechanisms. There must also be clear lines of accountability. This is demonstrated in the process of self- monitoring, review and report that is one of the main characteristics of the University's quality assurance framework, within the University's committee structure and externally to HEFCE, the QAA and professional and statutory bodies.

Communication
Requirements of the quality assurance process should be communicated to all staff via this website; formal and informal advice and support is available from the Quality Improvement Service. University Committees, in particular the Quality Committee and Faculty/School Quality Committees, play an important role in the dissemination of good practice, the review of policies and procedures and the propagation of the national agenda in relation to quality issues.

Quality Assurance as a Process
Quality assurance and enhancement is not sporadic but a continual process of reflection, evaluation, report and feedback. This process is framed within a University-wide system of agreed procedures, specifications and pro-formas, the aim of which is to promote transparency and a shared understanding of the fundamental requirements. This shared understanding, together with co-ordination via QIS and senior officers should in turn promote consistency of standards and procedures.

Quality Improvement
The University's aim is to provide the best possible student experience and to foster quality enhancement whenever possible. Good practice within the University at Faculty, School, Service or University level and from other institutions should be shared. The University's quality assurance framework itself is subject to regular monitoring and review to take account of changing needs within the University and the Higher Education sector. The University's Quality Committee plays an important role in the monitoring and enhancing of the quality assurance framework.

Primary Responsibilities
Primary responsibility for quality assurance and improvement rests with the Academic Board and is exercised through the University Quality committee.

The University Quality Committee oversees all quality policy and procedures within the University, including, reports on undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, the appointment of internal and external examiners.

Responsibility for the approval, amendment and withdrawal of modules is undertaken by Faculty Quality Committees, within processes agreed by the University Quality Committee.

Administrative Responsibilities
The Quality Improvement Service is responsible for the administrative co-ordination of the quality assurance framework and for the provision of support and advice related to the operation of the framework.

Queries relating to the quality assurance framework should be directed to QIS in the first instance.