Academic Quality Service
Name of institutionAddress of institution / If the institution has more than one delivery centre/campus and those are being considered within the scope of this report the address of each delivery centre/campus should be listed
Reasons for developing the link
Educational and other benefits for the University and/or the Faculty in establishing this link
History of the institution / Include information such as the length of time the organisation has been established; number of staff and students; number and location of campuses; details of degree awarding powers; recognition of the institution via QAA endorsement, accreditation by PSRB, accreditation by another UK University, accreditation/recognition by an appropriate state quality assurance or accreditation body
1.Current academic provision / Current student numbers by programme
(list by type of award and award title)
2.Compatibility of mission/vision / Y / N / Supporting information
Mission/vision compatible with MU
Evidence used to inform judgement
3.Evidence of quality / Y / N / Supporting information
There is evidence that the institution is a quality provider of HE
Evidence used to inform judgement
Indicative sources of evidence may include:
- A summary of report findings of national or international quality assurance organisations, governmental or other authoritative bodies;
- An outline of recent or existing expertise in the delivery of HE provision.
4.Links with other HE institutions / Y / N / Supporting information
The institution has links with other HE institutions / Include details of any current or recent links with HE institutions, particularly UK HEIs
Evidence used to inform judgement
Indicative sources of evidence may include:
- Reference(s) from current or former awarding body (usually HEI)
5.Financial basis of institution / Y / N / Supporting information
The financial basis of the institution is sound / Indicate whether the institution is state or privately funded (both UK and overseas institutions)
Evidence used to inform judgement
Privately funded institutions
Must include details of the financial review carried out by the Director of Finance and the risk rating (Low, Medium or High) attributed to the institution
6.Insurance arrangements / Y / N / Supporting information
The institution has in place appropriate insurance arrangements in respect of its responsibilities and liabilities towards students / Description of the current insurance arrangements in place at the institution – specifically public liability and professional indemnity insurance
Evidence used to inform judgement
Copies of the actual insurance certificates should be provided by the institution and can therefore be referenced here. Insurance policies should indemnify the University for any liability, to a maximum of £1,000,000 per claim.
7.Governance & organisational structure / Y / N / Supporting information
The institution has appropriate governance arrangements and management and committee structures in place to oversee the delivery of HE provision / Describe the governance arrangements, such as the function of the governing body (i.e. board of governors, board of trustees, board of directors etc.).
Describe the management structures and the main academic committees in place at the institution
Evidence used to inform judgement
Indicative sources of evidence may include:
- Terms of reference and constitution of governing body;
- Diagrammatic representation of the organisational and internal structure of the institution (i.e. structure charts);
- Committee structure diagram;
- Terms of reference and membership of key academic committees.
8.Quality assurance / Y / N / Supporting information
There is evidence of appropriate and robust quality assurance arrangements at the institution for the delivery of HE programmes / This section should aim to address the following:
- Who is responsible for quality assurance and how is quality managed at institutional level?
- What academic and quality policies, strategies and plans are in place?
- How are academic standards established, developed and reviewed at institutional level?
- How does the institution ensure the quality of the student experience?
- What knowledge has the institution of current practices in UK HE in relation to external examining
- Curriculum development and delivery;
- Learning, teaching and assessment;
- Monitoring of student progression and achievement;
- Feedback to students;
- Feedback from students;
- Students complaints and academic misconduct.
Evidence used to inform judgement
Indicative sources of evidence may include:
- Quality assurance manual or handbook;
- Quality assurance policies and procedures;
- Student complaints policy/procedure
- Confirmation via reports from national quality assurance bodies (i.e. QAA and Ofsted for UK institutions);
- Reports from other inspection bodies (i.e. BAC, ASIC, ISI);
- Monitoring and/or review reports from other UK HEIs collaborating with the institution.
9.Academic and pastoral support / Y / N / Supporting information
The institution has appropriate mechanisms in place to provide academic and pastoral (including welfare) support to students / This section should aim to describe the following:
- How, when and by whom is academic support and programme planning advice given?
- Does the institution operate a personal tutor system?How, when and by whom is support for careers, welfare, library and similar resources given?
Evidence used to inform judgement
10.Resources / Y / N / Supporting information
There are appropriate physical and learning resources available at the institution to support the delivery of HE programmes? / This section should aim to describe the following:
- The nature and quality of resources available at institutional level in general terms;
- Library provision, including opening hours and details of support provided to students by library staff;
- Details of any digital or other learning resources available to students, either on-site or outside the institution.
Evidence used to inform judgement
11.Recruitment of students / Y / N / Supporting information
The institution has appropriate policies and procedures governing the recruitment of students
Evidence used to inform judgement
Indicative sources of evidence may include:
- Admissions policy and associated procedures;
- Equal opportunities policy;
- English language requirements.
12.UK Border Agency compliance / Y / N / Supporting information
For UK institutions only
The institution is listed on the UK Border Agency register of Tier 4 sponsors and currently has Highly Trusted Sponsor status / If the proposed partner is a private institution and is not currently subject to educational oversight by a body approved by the UKBA (i.e. the QAA, Ofsted, ISI, Bridge Schools Inspectorate) this report must confirm that the institution is either in the process of applying for a Review for Educational Oversight or has already successfully completed its review
Evidence used to inform judgement
Indicative sources of evidence may include:
- Review for Educational Oversight Report
- UKBA Register of Tier 4 Sponsors
13.Recruitment of staff / Y / N / Supporting information
The institution has appropriate recruitment and selection policies governing the recruitment of staff (academic & administrative)
Evidence used to inform judgement
Indicative sources of evidence may include:
- Recruitment and selection policy and procedures;
- Equal opportunities policy;
- Assessment of English Language proficiency for non-native speakers of English
14.Staff development / Y / N / Supporting information
The institution has appropriate staff development policies/strategies and opportunities at institutional level
Evidence used to inform judgement
Indicative sources of evidence may include:
- Staff development policy and procedures
- Details of staff development opportunities
- Details of time allocations for research and scholarly activity related to HE teaching.
15.Monitoring staff performance / Y / N / Supporting information
The institution has appropriate mechanisms in place to monitor staff performance
Evidence used to inform judgement
Indicative sources of evidence may include:
- Staff appraisal policy and procedures
- Peer observation of teaching policy and procedures
- Use made of student feedback to monitor staff performance/
16.Equality of opportunities / Y / N / Supporting information
The institution has appropriate equal opportunities policies and arrangements in place that are adopted across the institution
Evidence used to inform judgement
Indicative sources of evidence may include:
- Equal opportunities policy and procedures.
17Recommendation to the designated member of Executive
17.1AQS is pleased to recommend to the designated member of Executive that s/he grant institutional approval to [institution name] without prejudice to the outcome of any future validation event, subject to the following standard conditions of approval namely that:
(a)the University is satisfied as to the continued financial soundness of the institution
(b)the University reserves the right to re-negotiate any collaborative agreement if there is a change of ownership or governance of the institution
(c)the institution shall not be permitted to engage in serial agreements whereby it offers the approved programme(s) elsewhere through arrangements of its own
(d)the institution shall follow the University quality assurance procedures as outlined in the learning quality enhancement handbook.
(e)the institution shall agree to co-operate fully with any inspection visits that may be undertaken by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) or similar bodies
(f)students enrolled on programmes validated by the University shall be subject to University regulations on appeals and academic misconduct
(g)the institution shall agree to put in place all necessary insurance arrangements as specified by the University in respect of the institution's responsibilities and liabilities towards students
(h)(for overseas links, if relevant) the institution agrees to abide by the University’s policy for franchising and validating programmes overseas: The Language of Tuition and/or Assessment
(i)(for overseas links, if relevant) the institution agrees to bear any and all costs which may be incurred applying for a licence to operate any Middlesex University approved programme in the country in which the institution is situated, including the costs of obtaining legal or other professional advice
(j)Collaborative programme contingency plans will be produced for all programmes validated under the terms of this agreement. Through taking over a programme the University will not be liable for financial or other liabilities associated with the failing partner or programme.
17.2In addition the following specific conditions have to be met prior to the
validation of any programmes:
Report author (including role) / Date report produced1