Accreditation for theaward of academic credit / Section 14

14Accreditation for the award of academic credit

14.1Introduction and principles of accreditation at Middlesex University

Accreditation is the formal mechanism for the recognition of learning that is achieved outside the University’s validated programmes of study. It uses the Middlesex University academic credit framework to evaluate and quantify such learning in terms of credit points at a particular level. This recognition is important for the personal and professional development of individuals. It also operates to quality assure the learning outcomes and assessment of education and training activities delivered by employers and other organisations.

The accreditation process is managed according to the following principles:

  • Middlesex University is responsible for the academic standards of all academic credit awarded in its name.
  • Middlesex University will implement appropriate and proportionate due diligence procedures to assess academic, financial, legal and reputational risks associated with organisations proposingexternal courses or other activity foraccreditation.
  • All applications for credit will be assessed rigorously in accordance with the assessment regulations of the University, with credit only awarded for demonstrable learning achievement (i.e. not for time taken).
  • Accreditation assessment shall be subject to internal moderation and appropriate external scrutiny, and approved bya University Faculty/SchoolCommittee.
  • Accreditation can lead to the award of general or specific credit.The award of academic credit does not in itself constitute the award of a University qualification but rather credit that can count towards such a qualification.
  • Specific credit is that which relates to and can count towards the achievement of an identified Middlesex University qualification.
  • The award of specific credit provides students with exemption awarded against specific modules of the programme and enables students to access the programme at a later stage and complete it in less time than it would normally take.
  • Specific credit for learning cannot be awarded at a higher level or with a greater number of credit points than the general credit rating of the same learning.
  • General credit can be recognised towards the achievement of qualifications within the Middlesex University Work Based Learning programmes and, subject to agreement, towards other qualifications at Middlesex or elsewhere.
  • The University Regulations defines the maximum amount of specific credit that can count towards Middlesex University qualifications.
  • University Regulations stipulate that the maximum amount of credit which can be counted towards a qualification is normally two-thirds of the total required for the qualification. For example, 240 credits can be recognised towards the 360 credits required for a Bachelors degree with honours. However, a programme of study may require that a student undertake compulsory modules against which a claim for prior learning may not be made.
  • All credit awarded will be certificated. In the case of general credit a Certificate of Credit will be awarded. All specific credit used towards an award bearing programme will be recorded as part of a student Diploma Supplement.
  • All credit awarded through accreditation will be ungraded.
  • Claimants may appeal against the decisions of the University Accreditation Board in accordance with the University appeal regulations.
  • The University will provide advice to support the development of a proposal/claimfor accreditation, and appropriate staff development for those involved in accreditation assessment.
  • The accreditation proposal/claimremains the responsibility of the proposer/claimant.
  • Accreditation activity will be subject to annual monitoring.

14.2Types of accreditation at Middlesex University

The following types of learning activity can be accredited at Middlesex University:

Accreditation of external learning activity or courses

This type of accreditation concerns the development, credit rating and implementation of the award of credit to successful participants on external courses, including in-company training and professional body courses.

Accreditation of Middlesex University short courses

This type of accreditation concerns the development, credit rating and implementation of the award of credit to successful participants on Middlesex University short courses which are outside of the University’s validated programmes of study.

Accreditation of individual ‘recognition of prior learning’(RPL) claims

ThisconcernsRPL claims submitted by individuals for ‘certificated’ and/or ‘experiential’ learning. Certificated learning includes qualifications or certificates awarded by a university or other awarding body as evidence of previously recognised learning that has an established academic credit value.

Where a prior qualification or certificate is not from a recognised awarding body, its equivalence to specific learning outcomes will need to be established with reference to UK NARIC. Where a qualification or certificate’s credit value cannot be established, the prior learning associated with it will require further evidence that can be assessed.

Academic credit for prior experiential and/or work-based learning (that is learning that is derived from experience or work) can also be claimed where appropriate evidence of this learning is submitted for assessment by the University. This is normally in the form of a portfolio of evidence.

Accreditation for certain external courses leading to an articulation agreement

Details of the procedures can be found in section 10.

14.3 The University Accreditation Board

Middlesex University awardsacademic credit for learning from experience or learning achievement from a previously unaccredited course through an Accreditation Board. The University considers proposals/claims for the award of academic credit at the following Accreditation Boards:

  • The University Accreditation Board for external learning activity and courses
  • The University Accreditation Board for individual RPL claims

The terms of reference of the University Accreditation Boards are detailed in University committee structures. In addition, external examiners are appointed to the Board.

14.3.1Collaborative Programme Accreditation Boards

Collaborative programmes may, as part of validation or subsequently as a consequence of a review of their policy by the Chair of the University Accreditation Board, apply for authority to award specific credit in respect solely of the validated collaborative programme. The quality assurance principles of Middlesex University apply in respect of the partner institution.

The Collaborative Programme Accreditation Board is constituted as follows:

  • Programme Leader (Chair)
  • Middlesex University Link Tutor
  • Assessor(s) and external examiners as appropriate

The terms of reference of aCollaborative Programme Accreditation Board are:

  • To consider and where appropriate award credit in respect of claims for accreditation put forward by individuals and to decide upon the number and level of credits.

The decisions of the Collaborative Programme Accreditation Board are reported to the assessment board of the programme concerned and are subject to scrutiny by external examiners aligned to the programme. The operation of the Collaborative Programme Accreditation Board will be included as part of the programme annual monitoring report required by the University.

14.4Accreditation of external learning activity and courses

14.4.1Development of the accreditation proposal

Enquiries may be directed in the first instance to a University Faculty/School/IWBL Accreditation Board Representative who will make an initial assessment of the suitability of the organisation and activity for accreditation and, in consultation with the relevant University Faculty/SchoolDeputy Dean/IWBL Deputy Director or nominee, confirm, or otherwise, approval to proceed to accreditation proposal stage.. This approval confirms the availabilityof appropriate resources to support the development, assessment and quality monitoring of accredited activity.

The Secretary of the University Accreditation Board will:

  • Send out an Accreditation Handbook on the accreditation process to the client organisation including details of the requirements of an accreditation proposal.
  • Keep a record of enquiries/information sent out and monitor progress

The University Faculty/School/IWBL will identify the appropriate expertise required to assess the proposal and support proposal development.

The client organisation will submit the completed Accreditation Proposal form to the University Accreditation Board.

14.4.2Credit rating the proposal

The relevant Faculty/School/IWBL appoint an Assessor(s) for each proposal. The role of the Accreditation Proposal Assessor is to assess a proposal and make a recommendation to the University Accreditation Board with respect to its appropriateness in relation to the volume and level of credit sought. The proposal and assessor recommendations are considered by the University Accreditation Board. The University Accreditation Board will consider the proposal and the Assessor’s recommendation, in respect of:

  • the number of credits
  • the level of credits; and
  • the appropriateness of the proposed learning outcomes and assessment requirements

The University Accreditation Board willapprove (or otherwise) the proposal, with or without conditions and recommendations, and will approve the award of general or specific credit. Following the decision of the University Accreditation Board, the Secretary to the Board will:

  • inform the client of the Board’s decision, including any conditions and for accreditation;
  • arrange for an invoice to be raised in accordance with the accreditation contract; and
  • produce a Memorandum of Accreditation (MoAc) for approval by the Director of Academic Partnerships or nominee and the client.The MoAc must be signed prior to commencement of the accreditation arrangements.

14.4.3Implementing the accreditation

  • Guidance on development of marketing materials can be found in section 12.
  • Any changes to the learning and assessment team after initial approval must be notified to the University Accreditation Board for its approval.
  • Where the credit to be awarded is at Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) Level 5 or above the University Faculty/School/IWBL to which the accredited activity is aligned shall identify an appropriate External Assessor. This may be from those already appointed but it is possible to nominate an External Assessor purely for the purpose of examining accredited activity following the normal external examiner nomination process detailed in section 4.External Assessors will report to the University.

A Middlesex University Faculty/School/IWBL representative will act as Accreditation Link Tutor. The role of the Accreditation Link Tutor is to:

  • act as moderator to the client's assessment team ;
  • liaise as appropriate with the External Assessor;
  • be responsible for communicating recommendations for the award of credit to the University Accreditation Board; and
  • contribute to and facilitate the submission of an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR).

The recommended pass list of individuals who have successfully demonstrated accredited learning outcomes, signed by the client organisation and the Middlesex University Accreditation Link Tutor and, where relating to credit at level 5 or above, an appropriate External Assessor, will be considered and ratified by the University Accreditation Board. The decision to award academic credit rests entirely with the University and is exercised through the University Accreditation Board.

The secretary to the University Accreditation Board will request that the client be invoiced in respect of fees relating to the issue of student certificates of credit, within 30 days of the ratification of the results of students on the pass list.

14.4.4Annual Monitoring

All accreditations require the production of an AMR.This report is an evaluative review of the quality of learning opportunities provided by the accredited external learning activity or training course. The Accreditation Link Tutor (ALT) liaises with the organisation, which delivers the accredited learning activity, in the production of the AMR and reviews the report. The University Accreditation Board receives AMRs and reviews issues, good practice and trends identified.

14.4.5Expiry of agreements

The Accreditation Board will receive a schedule of agreements due to expire within the next 12 months at the last meeting of each academic year. The Board will note any agreements which are not renewed ad the last date at which students may be awarded credit.

14.5Accreditation of Middlesex University short courses

14.5.1Development of the accreditation proposal

The proposer completes a Middlesex University Short Course Accreditation Proposal form using the notes for proposers as a guide to determining the proposed credit rating. The proposal is submitted to the University Accreditation Board for external provision and the relevant Faculty/School Academic Planning and Quality Committee for in-house provision.

14.5.2Implementing the accreditation

The University Faculty/School/IWBL concerned is responsible for:

  • planning and development;
  • the appointment of tutors and an External Assessor if the accreditation is at FHEQ Level 5 or above;
  • monitoring staff and student opinion and responding to issues which arise from such monitoring;
  • ensuring that assessment decisions are reported to the relevant assessment board;
  • for external provision, providing the University Accreditation Board/IWBL with the information required to produce and dispatch appropriate certificates of credit.

The standard feedback questionnaires completed by all short course participants will be analysed and summarised annual monitoring reports.

14.6Accreditation of individualRPL claims

Individual RPL claims can include evidence of either certificated and experiential learning or a combination of both.

Individual RPL claims can be considered at the stage of admission to a programme of study providing the opportunity for exemption awarded against specific modules of the programme to enable students to access the programme at a later stage and complete it in less time than it would normally take.

Each Faculty identifies the mechanisms in place for the consideration of individual RPL claims. The University Accreditation Board (individual claims) oversees this process. Faculty/School/IWBL committees considering individual RPL claims for the purposes of admissions shall be required to have an approved RPL Asessment Plan in place to ensure that the process of assessing claims is reliable, valid and transparent. Faculty/School/IWBL RPL Assessment Plans are approved by the University Accreditation Board and are reviewed annually. All claims for credit at level 5 and above must include evidence of external review.

Individual RPL claims can also be made during a programme of study where the process of making RPL claims is an integrated apsect of the programme being undertaken. Normally, this will include students undertaking a Review of Learning module designed to support the development of RPL claims. Normally students making claims while undetaking a programme of study shall have up to two opportunities to submit RPL claims during their programme.

14.6.1 Process for making an individual specific credit claim with certificated learning at the admission stage

Normally an RPL claim for specific credit with certified learning in relation to a Middlesex University programme of study will be madeduring the admissions stage.

Where a claimant/applicant provides evidence of certificated learning, an assessment of the certificated learning against the learning outcomes of the programme will be made by the relevant Programme Leader or nominee. This assessment will be subject to moderation by a second assessor and where not previously subject to external review and at level 5 or above, scrutiny by an appropriate External Examiner.

The procedure for accepting students with advanced standing is set out in guidance 14i.

14.6.2 Process for making an individual specific credit claim with experiential and/or work-based learning at the admission stage

RPL claims forspecific credit involve a process of identifying, assessing and accrediting relevant learning that has been gained through experience (such as employment, work experience or volunteering) that can be shown to be equivalent to learning within the named programme or modules.

Where a claimant/applicant provides evidence of experiential learning, an assessment of the experiential learning against the learning outcomes of the programme will be made by the relevant Programme Leader or nominee. This assessment will be subject to moderation by a second assessor and where at level 5 or above scrutiny by an appropriate External Examiner.

The RPL claim will then be considered for approval by the relevant University Faculty/School/IWBL Committee with regards to admissions with credit or ‘advanced standing’.

14.6.3 Process for making individual specifc credit RPL claims as part of a programme of study

Where claims for RPL (including for certificated and/or experiential learning) as an integrated apsect of a programme of study (normally by undetaking a Review of Learning module) a portfolio of evidence of learning will be submitted for assessment. RPL cliams for experiential learning will normally be constituted as ‘Areas of Learning’ (AoLs). AoLs are will be benchmarked against identified specific programme modules.

An assessment of the AoLs against the learning outcomes of the identified specific programme modules will be made by the relevant Programme Leader or nominee. This assessment will be subject to moderation by a second assessor and where at level 5 or above scrutiny by an appropriate External Examiner.

The RPL claim will then be considered for approval by the relevant University Faculty/School/IWBL Committee which, where appropriate confirm the award of credit.

14.6.4 Process for making individual specifc credit RPL claims as part of a programme of study based on common and agreed pattern of prior learning

Where claims for RPL for a particular programme of study follow a common pattern (for example based on a common and agreed set of prior certificated learning and/or Areas of Learning experience or required professional competencies), the Faculty/School/IWBL will agree the pattern of prior learningthat may constitute such a claim and this will be approved by the external examiner as appropriate and relevant University Faculty/School Committee. Where this has been approved, individual RPL claims can be batched and considered by the University Faculty/School/IWBL Committeecollectively.

14.6.3 Claims for individual RPL as general credit

All requests for accreditation from claimants seeking general credit, including thosewho have not yet determined a specific programme of study for which they wish to apply should normally be referred to the IWBL.

Claims for accreditation for general credit based solely or partly upon learning from experience will normally be developed through completion of a ‘Review of Learning’ module (at the appropriate level). The process will include the development of a portfolio of evidence including structured reflection upon experience to identify and demonstratelearning achievement as AoLs. The claimant shall have access to information relating to the format and content of an accreditation claim.

The claimant shall also have the opportunity to obtain guidance from a Tutor to support individuals developing accreditation claims.The claimant has sole responsibility for the formulation and submission of theaccreditation claim.

Award of general credit will be made by the relevantUniversity Faculty/School/IWBL Committee.

updated 24nov16

2016/17