Presentation outlining validation processes at the University of Northampton (QAP Northampton)

1. Validation
Tanya Osborne
Quality Officer (Validation & Review)

2. Overview
Developing Ideas
Types of Change
Validating a new programme
Why Do We Have These
Processes?

3. DEVELOPING IDEAS

4. Timeliness
For changes
to come into
• Changes made by January
affect the next
academic year
For new
Programmes
• 2 year development at UG
• 18 month development at PG
• Schedule marketing time

5. Consultation
Students
Employers
Market Research

6. Design
Benchmarks
Competition
PSRBs
Resources
University
Framework

7. TYPES OF CHANGE

8. What kinds of approval?
Change of
Approval
Changes to
existing
programmes
Validation
Deletion
Entirely new
programmes
End of lifecycle
Existing
programmes
where substantial
changes are being
made
Plans for students
still on
programmes

9. How do we decide?
Risk-based system
QAP advise teams on most
appropriate course of action

10. Exercise: What level of
Approval do I need?
In pairs, discuss what kind of approval
you think the following might need:
Change of Module Title
Change of Programme Title
Replacing all core modules
Adding a new core module

11. Exercise: Answers
How many did you get correct?
Change of Module Title
Change of Approval
Change of Programme Title
Change of Approval
Replacing all core modules
Validation
Adding a new core module
Change of Approval

12. VALIDATING A NEW
PROGRAMME

13. Why make new
programmes?
Strategic
enhancement
of provision
Keep up-todate with
current trends
New programme
Making most
of staff
expertise

14. Process
Development
Approval
Form
School-Level
Approval
Approval by
University
Executive
Committee

15. Documentation
Rationale
Business Plan and Market Research
Curriculum Documents
Draft student-focused materials
Staff CVs
Reading Lists

16. Event-based
Impartial
Panel
Then
goes to
PSR Cycle
Set
conditions
Meet with
the team
over one
day
Approval
after
conditions
met

17. Collaborative
Follows
event
structure
Additional
steps
For more
info
20 January
“International
Partnerships”
20 January
“Partners”

18. Future Developments
Greater emphasis on business plan and marketing
Streamlining of Change of Approval
Gradual move to Online Validation

19. WHY DO WE HAVE THESE
PROCESSES?

20. Quality Assurance
QAA Quality Code Compliance
Ensure standards of programmes
Ensure internal compliance met

21. Strategy
Promote healthy development
Ensure programmes are clear of
their USP
Ensure programmes match
University Strategy (RtB, Ashoka)

22. Questions