Recommendations in Relation to the Approval and Review of Programmes of Study

Appendix G

BirminghamCityUniversity

Senate – 18September 2009

This paper provides Senate with recommendations from ASQECor CPC in respect of the programmes of study identified below and in the annexes to this paper together with recommendations made by a panel convened to consider a collaborative programme.

Background

At its meeting held on 14 September 2007 Senate approved a new sub-committee structure. Under the terms of reference for the Academic Standards and Quality and Enhancement Committee (ASQEC) this Committeehas responsibility for making recommendations to Senate about the approval and review and re-approval of programmes of study.

Powers are delegated to Faculty Boards in respect of the administration of the approval and review and re-approval processes for programmes of study within the Faculty concerned. These powers have not been delegated, however, in respect of collaborative provision where an external organisation seeks approval to offer a programme of study leading to an award of BirminghamCityUniversity.

The panel reports at Annexes 1- 8 were considered by ASQEC at its meeting on 2 September 2009. Annex 9 (which relates to an MBA top-up programme it is proposed to offer with the City of London College,an existing partner) was not considered by ASQEC due to the timing of the panel event. Therefore, the panel report has been put directly to Senate to allow the programme to commence in October 2009. Given the timing of this proposal, contingency arrangements were developed to allow the programme to be delivered at the College by staff from the BusinessSchool if the programme arrangements could not be satisfactorily finalised before the proposed start date.

Recommendations in respect of the approval of programmes of study and their programme specifications

3.1Education, Law and Social Sciences

3.1.1BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS (Full-time, 3 years)

BA (Hons) Primary Education (Full-time, 3 years)

BA Primary Education with QTS (Full-time, 3 years)

Dip HE Primary Education (Full-time, 2 – 4 years)

Cert HE Primary Education (Full-time, 1 – 2 years)

Senate is recommended to:

(a)grant indefinite approval, subject to the usual review procedures, to:

BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS

BA (Hons) Primary Education

BA Primary Education with QTS

Dip HE Primary Education

Cert HE Primary Education

(b)approve the programme specifications.

(c)approve the requested exemption from the Standard Undergraduate Assessment Regulations.

A copy of the panel report is attached at Annex 1 of this paper, the panel’s recommendations are shown on pages 10 - 11 of Annex 1.

3.2Health

3.2.1Cert HE Studies in Health Care / FdSc Health and Social Care (Paramedic Science) (Full-time, 2 years)

Senate is recommended to:

(a)grant indefinite approval, subject to the usual review procedures, to Cert HE Studies in Health Care / FdSc Health and Social Care (Paramedic Science)

(b)approve the programme specifications.

A copy of the panel report is attached at Annex 2 of this paper, the panel’s recommendations are shown on pages 9 - 10 of Annex 2.

3.3Performance, Media and English

3.3.1Cert HE / Dip HE / BA / BA (Hons) Acting (Full-time, 3 years)

Senate is recommended to:

(a)grant indefinite approval, subject to the usual review procedures, to Cert HE / Dip HE / BA / BA (Hons) Acting

(b)approve the programme specifications.

(c)approve the requested exemption from the Standard Undergraduate Assessment Regulations.

A copy of the panel report is attached at Annex 3 of this paper, the panel’s recommendations are shown on page 10 of Annex 3.

3.4Collaborative Provision

3.4.1BA (Hons) Conservation Studies (Full-time, 3 years)

BA (Hons) Fine Art (Full-time, 3 years)

MA Fine Art (Full-time, 1 year)

Members are asked to note that the conditions of approval have been met but the cover sheet has not yet been signed. This is because, exceptionally, an alternative process had to be put in place to confirm that the conditions had been met due to the unavailability of the Chair.

Senate is recommended to:

(a)grant indefinite approval, subject to the usual review procedures, to:

BA (Hons) Conservation Studies

BA (Hons) Fine Art

MA Fine Art

(b)approve the programme specifications.

A copy of the panel report is attached at Annex 4 of this paper, the panel’s recommendations are shown on pages 10 – 11 of Annex 4. Members are asked to note that, exceptionally, an alternative process had to be put in place to confirm that the conditions of approval had been met because the Chair was unavailable. Academic Registry has now received confirmation that the conditions have been satisfied.

3.4.2Foundation Degree Builders’ Merchanting (Part-time, 60 weeks Level 5 only)

It was agreed by the Academic Registrar that the proposed Foundation Degree in Builders’ Merchantingcould be approved through a paper process in consultation with External advisors.

Senate is recommended to:

(a)approve the introduction of the Foundation Degree Builders’ Merchanting

A copy of the report is attached at Annex 5 of this paper, the recommendations are shown on page 2 of Annex 5.

3.4.3Professional Graduate Certificate in Education Primary offered by Birmingham Primary Training Partnership (Full-time, 1 year)

Senate is recommended to:

(a)grant indefinite approval, subject to the usual review procedures, to:

Professional Graduate Certificate in Education Primary offered by Birmingham Primary Training Partnership

(b)approve the programme specifications.

A copy of the panel report is attached at Annex 6 of this paper, the panel’s recommendations are shown on pages 9 – 10 of Annex 6.

3.4.4City of London College

A panel was held on 26August 2009 to approve the offering of the MBA top-up (full-time) at City of London College.

Senate is recommended to delegate authority to the Chair to:

(a)grant indefinite approval, subject to the usual review procedures and satisfaction of the conditions of approval to the MBA top-up (full-time) offered by City of London College.

(b)approve the programme specifications.

A copy of the panel report is attached at Annex 9 of this paper, the panel’s recommendations are shown on pages 8-9 of Annex 9.

A submission was made by the College and the Faculty in relation to the conditions of approval, however, some additional information has been requested by the Chair. Therefore, Senate is asked to agree that authority be delegated to the Chair to approve this programme on Chair’s action as soon as the conditions have been satisfied.

Report of action taken by the Chair on behalf of Senate

Senate is invited to endorse the action taken by the Chair in respect of the following:

4.1BIAD

4.1.1HND Gemmology (Full-time, 2 years)

HND Horology (Full-time, 2 years)

At Senate on 8 July 2009, it was noted that there was one outstanding condition for the HND Gemmology and HND Horology. This was due to be signed off by the Chair of the Panel by 28 July. Members noted that Chair’s action would be taken to grant approval to the programmes following receipt of confirmation of the condition being met. The Chair of Senate approved this programme on 24 August 2009.

4.2PME

4.2.1Pg Cert/Pg Dip/MA Acting – The British Tradition (Full-time, 1 year)

The Chair of Senate approved this programme on 5 August 2009. For information a copy of the panel report is attached at Annex 7 of this paper, the panel’s recommendations are shown on pages 10 - 11 of Annex 7

4.2.2PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Creative Industries and Cultural Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Events and Exhibitions Management Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Freelance Journalism and Enterprise Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Freelance Photography Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Media and Creative Enterprise Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Online Journalism Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Social Media Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Global Media Production Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA International Journalism Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA International Radio Production Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Music Industries Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Music Radio Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Radio and Audio Production Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Radio for Development Policy (Full-time, 1 year, part-time 2-4 years)

The Chair of Senate approved this programme on 5 August 2009. For information a copy of the panel report is attached at Annex 8 of this paper, the panel’s recommendations are shown on pages 11 - 12 of Annex 8

4.3Collaborative Provision

4.3.1Extension of the Academic Agreement with SHAPE(formerly IVE)

The Vice-Chancellor has approved an extension to 31 December 2009 for the extant Agreement. A new Agreement will be established as part of the institutional re-approval process scheduled for October 2009.

Transfer of an HNCBuilding Services Engineering

Some time ago, the Learning and Skills Council asked South Birmingham College(SBC) to assume responsibility for the delivery, quality and standards of a part-time HNC Building Services Engineering programme offered by CityCollege. CityCollege continued to receive funding for the programme but transferred this to SBC. The programme is validated by Edexcel.

SBC have asked if the provision can become part of its portfolio of programmes offered with the University as they believe this will be beneficial for the students and the provision. They would like the programme to be transferred for the start of 2009/10. It would be overseen by the TID. Documentation about the programme is being considered. Members are asked to agree that authority to approve the transfer of the programme to the University be delegated to the Chair if the documentation is satisfactory.

Recommendation

Senate is invited to approve the programmes of study, programme specifications and exemptions listed in the attached annexes and to delegate authority to the Chair to approve the matters identified above.

Dr Kate Jenns

Academic Registry