[Programme Title(s) 2017-18]LQEH Section 3 – Appendix 3j

*This document should be used as a template and all red text should be updated to reference your specific area. Some of the red text will be bullet points highlighting information that should be included in the handbook. No red text should be showing in the final copy given to students*

**Any wording in black is guidance text that should not be removed**

**Programme Teams are free to change the design if all of the required information in this document is included**

[Insert Partner Institution Logo Here]

Programme Handbook [Franchise]

[Include name of Faculty (and School if applicable)]

[Insert programme name(s)/Department and Academic Year]

[Include a list of all the exit awards in the programme]

Name: ______

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[Programme Title(s) 2017-18]LQEH Section 3 – Appendix 3j

Contents

*Update and format once handbook is complete*

Your Programme Handbook

Information in Alternative Formats

The University Regulations

Welcome to [Insert programme name]!

Introduction to [Include partner name]

Introduction to Middlesex University

Welcome from the Dean

Welcome from your Programme Leader

Welcome from your Link Tutor

Academic Calendar

Your Programme Team

Your Programme

Your Modules

Your Programme Feedback

Resources

Student Support

Programme Regulations

Assessment

Academic Misconduct

Attendance

Things you should know about attendance

Health and Safety

Appendix 1: Programme Specification(s)

Appendix 2: Curriculum Map

Appendix 3: Module Narratives

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[Programme Title(s) 2017-18]LQEH Section 3 – Appendix 3j

Introduction

Your Programme Handbook

The purpose of this Handbook is to introduce you to your programme of study and to direct you to other general information about studying at [Insert Partner Institution Name] and Middlesex University. The material in this document is as accurate as possible at the date of production; however, you will be informed of any major changes in a timely manner.

Your comments on any improvements to this handbook are welcome. Please put them in writing (an email will suffice) with the name of the Programme Handbook to [name and contact details].

Information in Alternative Formats

This handbook can be found online at: insert link

If you have a disability which makes navigating the website difficult and you would like to receive information in an alternative format, please contact [name and contact details].

We can supply sections from this publication as:

  • a Word document with enlarged type — sent by email or supplied on a CD or memory stick
  • printed copy with enlarged type
  • printed copy on non-white paper

Other formats may be possible. We will do our best to respond promptly. To help us, please be as specific as you can about the information you require and include details of your disability.

The University Regulations

As a student of Middlesex University you agree to abide by the University Regulations when you enrol and therefore you should read this handbook in conjunction with the Regulations which are available online at;

Some of the key regulations have been repeated on the Your Study pages on UniHub

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[Programme Title(s) 2017-18]LQEH Section 3 – Appendix 3j

Welcome to[Insert programme name]!

Purpose:

To welcome the student to both the Institutions, Middlesex and the programme.

Introduction to [Include partner name]

  • Include a brief description of the partner.

Introduction to Middlesex University

  • Include a brief description of Middlesex
  • Include the below;

The Memorandum of Cooperation

This is the formal agreement between Middlesex University and [institution name]on the delivery of the Programme. The Memorandum, among other things, sets out the responsibilities of both [institution name] and Middlesex University. In brief these include: Insert an outline of the responsibilities of each partner as per the MoC. This does not need to be a full list, just points of relevance to students (e.g. access to facilities at Middlesex, link tutor attendance at Boards of study, arrangements for appeals and complaints etc). If you wish to view this document then please contact [name and contact details]

Welcome from the Dean

  • Include a welcome from the Dean to the University and Faculty.
  • A photo should be included here.
  • Name and contact details should be included.

Welcome from your Programme Leader

  • Give a brief welcome to the programme
  • A photo should be included here.
  • Name and contact details should be included.

OPTIONAL

Welcome from your Link Tutor

  • Give a brief welcome.
  • A photo should be included here.
  • Name and contact details should be included.

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[Programme Title(s) 2017-18]LQEH Section 3 – Appendix 3j

Academic Calendar

Purpose

To give students an indication of their term dates, and key programme dates.

Required:

  • The Academic Calendar for the forthcoming Academic Year.
  • Key dates – such as exam periods, Boards of Study should be included.
  • Academic Calendars can be found at:
  • Details of how students should get a revised calendar for subsequent years

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[Programme Title(s) 2017-18]LQEH Section 3 – Appendix 3j

Part One: Programme Details

Your Programme Team

Purpose:

To introduce students to the key teaching and teaching support staff relating to their programme, as well as to give details on how to contact them. NB. Some of the below details may not be known at the time of writing; details below should be included where possible.

Please include the details for all programme staff. Information in the table below should be included. Optional information on research interests for staff can be included (NB: the information does not have to be in a table). The following staff should be included;

  • Teaching Staff
  • Liaison Librarian and AWL contact
  • Technical Staff
  • GTA
  • SLA/GAA – provide contact details where possible
  • Progression and Support Team Officers

Staff Name / Photo / Contact Details / Office Hours / Teaching Modules/Role Description

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[Programme Title(s) 2017-18]LQEH Section 3 – Appendix 3j

Your Programme

Purpose:

This section should provide the bulk of information about the programme to be undertaken by the student. The aim is for the programme to be described in engaging and interesting terms, making clear its relevance and importance. Its structure, learning & teaching methods, assessment and feedback policies/processes should be introduced, as well as information on how students are engaged within the programme itself.

Required:

  • Description of programme, its importance and relevance, any localisation, key features, USPs, graduate pathways
  • PSRB Information (If applicable)
  • Fitness to Practice information (if applicable)
  • Programme Structure and link to timetable
  • Learning & Teaching information, including L&T methods
  • Student Engagement within the Programme
  • Assessment & Feedback – including an assessment strategy, indicative assessment map for all years of study, how to submit, when and how feedback will be given.

Optional:

  • Placements and Employability if programme-specific

Your Modules

Purpose:

To give further detail on the individual modules which make up the programme.

Required:

  • Broad description of each Module
  • Reference to information contained in Module Handbooks
  • Make reference to the module narratives in appendix 3
  • Details on the programme structure and what modules will be studied when for both FT and PT students.

Your Programme Feedback

Purpose

To inform students of the Student Voice mechanisms available at Middlesex including details on how to give feedback on their programmes, take part as a Voice Leader and where programme information is available.

All information is required:

  • An explanation of the importance of student feedback and how it inputs into the programme. Any changes to the programme made directly as a result of student feedback should be referenced, as well as You Said We Did () and the student feedback pages on UniHub ()
  • Details on course representative schemes at the partner institution.
  • Information on how students can feed back to staff outside formal feedback mechanisms; particularly in regard to minor academic/pastoral issues and early resolution of complaints.

Boards of Study

The Boards of Study are one of the main formal channels of communication between staff and students. They are a forum in which students (through the [insert relevant course representative title]) and staff can constructively discuss areas of good practice as well as areas needing improvement, with the collective aim of enhancing the student experience. Students and Staff should both be given assurances they will not be penalised for raising issues at a Board of Study.

Boards of Study occur each term and your [insert relevant course representative title] will ask for programme feedback from you to report to staff at the meeting. You will also be given feedback from both staff and the [insert relevant course representative title] on the outcomes of the feedback.

The dates of the Boards of Study for 2017/18 are:

  • Include dates of the Boards of Study (if known – if not a link to where they will be published).

Minutes and actions from previous Boards of Study should be made available to you through MyUniHub. Further guidance on the Boards of Study can be found here:

Surveys

Throughout your time at [insert institution name]you will be asked to complete several surveys that request your feedback on your programme or modules. The aim of the surveys is to gather your feedback to make improvements to current and future cohorts of students, and enhance the quality of your experience. During your studies, you will be asked to complete the surveys listed below;

Module Feedback– Most students, at different stages in their programme, will be asked to complete a survey for each of their modules. These are short online surveys that usually take place in term two, and provide module leaders an opportunity to consider and implement your feedback to improve the modules available on you programme. You will be asked to complete module feedback surveys throughout your programme.

[Overseas Partners - UG]Middlesex Student Survey (MSS) – The MSS gives data on the student satisfaction of final year undergraduate students throughout their time at [Insert institution name]. This survey is completed by final year students, and asks questions based on your overall student experience on your programme. This survey is anonymous and is managed by Middlesex University’s Academic Quality Officer. You will be asked to complete the survey in term 2 of your final year.

[UK Partners Only - UG] The National Student Survey(NSS)– The NSS gives us independent anonymised data of finalist undergraduates’ experience throughout their time at Middlesex University. This survey is completed by all final year students nationally, and asks questions based on your overall student experience on your programme. This survey is also anonymous and is managed by an external body called Ipsos-MORI. You will be asked to complete the survey in term 2 of your final year.

[UK Partners Only – PG] Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)– This provides an independent anonymised way for postgraduate taught (PGCert, PGDip and Masters Students) students to feedback of your experience. The survey will focus on your experience and engagement with your programme of study. This survey is anonymous and is managed by and external body called the Higher Education Academy. You will be asked to complete the survey towards the end of your programme. Partner and Campus institutions complete a version of the survey which is administered by Academic Quality Service at Middlesex University.

[UK Partners Only – PG] PostgraduateResearch Experience Survey(PRES)– This provides an independent anonymised way for postgraduate research (PhD, Profdoc, MRes) students to feedback of your experience. The survey will focus on your experience and engagement with your research and the University. This survey is anonymous and is managed by and external body called the Higher Education Academy. All research students are asked to complete the survey which occurs every two years.

Include any additional surveys that are completed at your institution, and remove those that are not relevant.

How your Programme is Quality Assured

You may have not heard the terms 'quality assurance', 'academic quality', 'academic standards' before and now you have you may think they have nothing to do with you, however these terms are important to you and your programme. The below definitions explain why;

'Quality'refers to how well [Insert institution name] andMiddlesex supports you in your learning and covers the following areas: the teaching, the support available, the resources available, and how you are assessed.

'Standards'refers to the level of achievement you need to succeed on your course and get your qualification. Standards should not vary from one higher education provider to another.

Having both quality and standards means that you and everyone else can have confidence in your degree and your education.

Quality assuranceis therefore mainly about maintaining standards and ensuring you have the best possible experience at[Insert institution name]. Middlesex University has a range of quality assurance processes and procedures which include the following:

  • Institutional Approval – This is the process that confirms whether Middlesex University will enter a partnership.
  • Programme approval and validation –The process a programme must go through before it can run.
  • Collaborative review – A process which looks at programmes every 6 years to see how they have been running.
  • Annual monitoring – How the University reviews how programmes are doing every year.
  • External Examining– Independent moderators who help ensure academic standards are being met but are also comparable nationally.
  • Student feedbackand representation – This includes student surveys, Boards of Study and student representation.

Further information on quality assurance and enhancement can be found here:

Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) UK Quality Code, chapter B10; Management of collaborative arrangements.

The QAA is an independent agency appointed by the UK Government to be responsible for upholding the academic quality and standards of all universities and colleges in the UK.The QAA produce the UK Quality Code which outlines the key expectations placed on all UK Higher Education providers. In particular, there is a specific chapter on how institutions should manage partnership arrangements, such as the programme you are now enrolled on. This section is chapter B10 ‘Managing higher education provision with others’.

The QAA also review higher education providers (including Middlesex) to ensure that it is operating in line with the Quality Code and providing the best academic experience for its students.

You can also learn more about Quality Assurance from watching two short videos designed specifically for students in Higher Education, which are available on line at:

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Part Two - Resources and Support Available

Resources

Purpose:

To give an overview of the resources available to students whilst undertaking their programme. These should be programme-specific where possible, although some general information on university resources can be included. Example text on Library and IT resources can be provided by your LSS representative.

You must include the following;

  • School-specific campus information (such as where the programme is taught, location of specialist facilities)
  • Information about any Programme-specific Facilities
  • Information about Library resources
  • Information about relevant IT facilities
  • Information about UniHub/Partner VLE
  • Information on student email (including partner email account)
  • Informational about student contact details and how to update them.

Student Support

Purpose:

To introduce students to sources of support relating to their studies. As with resources, these should be programme-specific where possible, but programme teams should include any other relevant sources of support such as any key contacts.

Required:

  • Contact details, location and function of student support services; including counselling, disability support, financial support and international student support
  • Information about Academic Support services
  • Information about the Employability Service
  • Information about Disability and Dyslexia Support
  • Information about PDP
  • Information about Online Support
  • Information about the Students’ Union (if applicable, or alternative)
  • Information about transfer of study

N.B:

Important information for authors:

  • Students on franchised programmes are NOT eligible to be members of MdxSU UNLESS the students attend a Middlesex University London Campus. For international franchises the only time this becomes applicable is when students come to London for the final year.
  • NON UK BASED students can still be members of the NUS if they have their own Students’ Union or similar representative body which is affiliated to the NUS. However they cannot get an NUS Extra card, which only has discounts for the UK anyway.
  • The NUS extra card is available to all UK BASED students (not just as a result of MdxSU membership) and an application is normally made directly to the NUS, however students may make their application on-line via MdxSU administration. MdxSU are required to confirm to NUS that the student is enrolled as a student with MU
  • Students at London based institutions CAN get a TFL discount card if the institution registers with TFL.
  • Most students at all institutions can apply for an ISIC travel card.

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[Programme Title(s) 2017-18]LQEH Section 3 – Appendix 3j

Part Three - University Policies You Should Know

Programme Regulations

Purpose

To introduce the students to the university regulations that are applicable to their programme.

Required:

  • Link to University Regulations online:
  • Information on any programme-specific regulations
  • Contact details for staff for any further queries on regulations.

Assessment

Purpose

This section should provide details of the assessment regulations and practices that are applicable to the students. This includes regulations, how students should submit, university and any area practices and information that students should be aware of.