1 Academic Board Executive Committee 20 February 2018 Academic Board 12 March 2018 ...

250 Pages·2017·5.11 MB·English

by  Mara Arts

Academic Board Executive Committee 20 February 2018
Academic Board 12 March 2018

Teaching and Quality Enhancement Committee

Summary
This is the report of the Teaching and Quality Enhancement Committee of 8
February 2018.
Recommended Action
The Board is asked to approve the following:
 Appendix A: Common Award Scheme Regulations 2018/19
 Appendix B: Policy for Intercollegiate Study
 Appendix F: Term dates for 2019/20 – 2022/23
 Proposed new and withdrawn programmes (listed in minute 10.1)

The Board is asked to note the following:
 Appendix C: School and Department Annual Programme Monitoring reports
and the College-level summary of themes
 Appendix D: Report on student conduct and representations
 Appendix E: Report on issues raised by external examiners for taught
programmes

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REPORT OF THE TEACHING AND QUALITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
8 February 2018
1 Chair’s report
1.1 The Chair delivered a verbal report. The Chair noted that the Higher
Education Academy had announced its next round of teaching fellowships.
Staff were encouraged to submit applications. The Centre for Transformative
Practice of Learning & Teaching would be contacting staff with details in due
course.
1.2 A document was provided summarising developments in the sector including
the launch of the Office for Students (OfS), which will become fully operational
in April 2018. The OfS will take a risk-based approach to monitoring the
quality and standards of established providers. Rather than visiting each
provider periodically, as was previously the QAA practice, OfS will select a
random sample of providers for review.
1.3 The Chair delivered a verbal report on the Student Experience Review (SER).
The final SER report had been presented to SPC and the Governors for
discussion. The Governors were supportive of implementation of the Report’s
recommendations.
1.4 An Implementation Group and Executive Group will be established to oversee
and manage the implementation of the SER’s recommendations across the
College. The Implementation Group will be a high-level steering group
including a Governor and members of senior management. The Executive
Group will include representation from Schools, professional services
departments, and the Students’ Union.
1.5 The full SER Report will be circulated to Assistant Deans; other staff groups
will receive information about the implementation plan.
1.6 The Chair delivered a verbal report on the discussions had by Learning &
Teaching Working Group since the previous Committee meeting. This group
had discussed utilising the College’s teaching rooms between 5pm and 6pm
for academic support sessions; Annual Programme Monitoring; and the
National Student Survey.
2 Survey Cycle Update
2.1 The Committee received a report on the National Student Survey (NSS) and
other student satisfaction surveys. At the time of the meeting, the NSS
response rate was over 30%. This was higher than Birkbeck’s response rate
at the same time last year, but still behind the sector’s average response rate.
2.2 It was noted that staff were encouraging students to complete the survey, and
a series of publicity events had been held. This year the College has a
participation incentive for the NSS: any student who completes it can choose
to donate £15 to the College’s hardship fund for students, or to receive a £15
Amazon voucher.
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2.3 It was noted that three other surveys were launching on the day of the
meeting: the Birkbeck Student Survey (BSS) for non-final year
undergraduates; the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) for
taught postgraduates (excepting MRes); and the Postgraduate Research
Experience Survey (PRES) for research students (including MRes).
2.4 It was noted that the planned UCU strike action could have a significant
impact on NSS response rates and the quality of responses. Staff were
encouraged to schedule NSS sessions outside of the strike period.
3 Regulations and Policy
3.1 The Committee received a verbal update on the annual meeting of the
Common Award Scheme (CAS) Working Group. It was noted that future
changes to the regulations may include the introduction of progression rules;
introducing a ‘floor’ for reassessment/retake decisions; specific regulation
requirements regarding capping of reassessments for programmes with
accreditation of professional bodies. These suggested changes require further
discussion and consultation and are not being proposed for implementation in
the next academic year.
3.2 The Committee endorsed the proposed changes to the Common Award
Scheme regulations 2018/19.
3.3 Academic Board is asked to approve the Common Award Scheme
Regulations 2018/19 (appendix A)
3.4 The Committee endorsed a revised Policy on Intercollegiate Study subject to
a minor amendment outside of the meeting.
3.5 Academic Board is asked to approve the revised Policy on
Intercollegiate Study (appendix B)
4 Quality Monitoring
4.1 The Committee received School and Department Annual Programme
Monitoring reports. It was noted that this year, Schools had been asked to
complete report at Department level for the first time. It was noted that some
departments had not used the form. It was agreed that in future years it could
be helpful to submit separate reports for undergraduate and postgraduate
activity.
4.2 The Committee also received a report summarising the themes across
Schools and Departments. The Committee commended good practice in
providing academic support, and improving student attendance.
4.3 It was noted that Departments and Schools could make better use of available
data to measure improvements of practice, and that the College could explore
how to better make robust data available to Schools.
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4.4 Academic Board is invited to note the School and Department Annual
Programme Monitoring reports and the College-level summary of
themes (appendix C)
5 Student Conduct and Representations
5.1 The Committee received a report on student conduct and representations for
2016/17, and emerging trends for 2017/18. It was noted that there had not
been an increase in appeals, but there had been an increase in student
complaints in line with sector trends. There has been a decrease in
assessment offences considered at College level as a result of the revised
Assessment Offences Policy. There had been a slight increase in disciplinary
hearings and fitness to study hearings due to improved processes.
5.2 The Committee noted that BME students submitted a disproportionately high
number of appeals, and the Committee supported that the College do more
work to explore reasons for this.
5.3 The Committee considered the high proportion of appeals that related to
previously undisclosed mitigating circumstances, and noted that a more
consistent approach to mitigating circumstances at sub-board level could
reduce the number of appeals on these grounds.
5.4 Academic Board is invited to note the report on student conduct and
representations (appendix D)
6 External Examiner College Wide Report
6.1 The Committee received a report summarizing issues raised by external
examiners for taught programmes during 2016/17. It was noted that the
submission rate of external examiner reports was low, and possible remedies
for this were discussed. The Committee endorsed the report’s
recommendation to work on improving external examiner report submission
rates, and improving departments’ responsiveness to issues raised by
external examiners.
6.2 Academic Board is invited to note the report on issues raised by
external examiners for taught programmes (appendix E)
7 Student Representation System
7.1 The Committee received a report on proposed work to establish a student
representation system. This report was prepared by the Students’ Union. The
Committee welcomed the Students’ Union’s involvement in establishing a
robust student representation system.
7.2 The Committee noted that although it was desirable to have elected student
reps, this may not be feasible. It was noted that a system where student reps
are paid a nominal fee may be a preferable solution for Birkbeck.

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8 Birkbeck Library
8.1 The Committee received a report proposing that the Birkbeck Library is
opened 24 hours a day for a trial period, during the main summer examination
period. This proposal was made by the Students’ Union.
8.2 The Committee considered the merits and objections of this proposal. It was
noted that although the Library had trialled 24-hour opening in 2006 without
success, Birkbeck’s student body had changed significantly and younger, full-
time students may be more likely to use the Library at night. The Committee
noted that keeping the Malet Street building and the Library open overnight
had cost, security, and health and safety implications.
8.3 Representatives from the Library and Estates agreed to liaise and discuss the
resources required, with a view to support the proposed pilot in due course.
9 Internal Reviews
9.1 The Committee received the reports of, and responses to, the Internal Review
of the Department of Applied Linguistics and Communication and of the
University of London International Programme in Philosophy.
9.2 The Committee received 12-month progress reports from the Departments of
Economics, Mathematics and Statistics; Cultures and Languages; Philosophy,
following on from internal reviews conducted in the previous academic year.
9.3 The Committee received the Annual Programme Report (2016/17) for the
University of London International Programme in Philosophy.
10 College Programmes Committee
10.1 The Committee endorsed the approval and withdrawal of programmes as set
out by the College Programmes Committee:
Approval
• BA Ancient History and Archaeology (2019/20 start)
• Cert HE Psychodynamic Counselling and Skills in a Psychosocial
Framework (2018/19 start)
• MSc Management Practice (level 7 apprenticeship degree) (2018/19
start)
• MSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics (2018/19 start)
Withdrawal
• Cert HE Counselling and Counselling Skills
• Cert HE Psychodynamic Counselling and Organizational Dynamics
• BA Global Cinemas and Screen Arts
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• BSc Information Systems and Management: 6-year decelerated route
only
• MA Archaeology
• MA/PG Dip/PG Cert Comparative Literature
• MA/MRes Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Cultural Studies
• MRes Cultural Enquiry

10.2 The Committee noted the following programme suspensions:
• BBA Culinary Industry Management
• MFA Creative Writing
• MSc Learning Technologies
• MSc Organizational Behaviour
• MSc War and Humanitarianism
10.3 Academic Board is invited to approve the proposed new programmes
and withdrawal requests listed under 10.1
11 Collaborations
11.1 The Committee received an updated on academic collaborative provision
under development.
12 Term Dates
12.1 The Committee confirmed proposed term dates for the academic years
2019/20 – 2022/23
12.2 Academic Board is asked to approve the proposed term dates for the
academic years 2019/20 to 2022/23 (appendix F)

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Appendix A
Proposed changes to Common Awards Scheme regulations for 2018/19
Summary
This paper proposes a number of changes to the Common Awards Scheme
regulations for 2018/19.
The proposed changes are as follows:
1. The inclusion of the Master in Science (MSci) integrated master’s
degree to accommodate a new programme of study in the Department
of Biological Science. This degree i s classified as an undergraduate
degree in line with sector practice.
2. The removal of a clause allowing core modules on the LLB to be
compensated if the module mark is between 35-39% (CAS 24.1). The
School of Law have agreed that all core modules can be changed to
compulsory modules, at which point the exception is no longer
required. The 35-39% range is retained in line with PSRB
requirements.
3. Clarification that the validity of credit is counted per academic year,
regardless of the point w ithin the academic year at which the credit
was awarded (CAS 3.2).
4. Change to ensure CAS is in line with the revised intercollegiate study
policy (CAS 11.9).
5. Clarification that 3 attempts at UG level and 2 attempts at PG level
may be offered at the discretion of the sub-board, but are not required
to be offered (CAS 21.3 and 21.4).
6. Change to wording of PGT award classification to ensure they are in
line with other award classifications (CAS 51.1)
Recommended Action

The Committee is asked to consider and approve the proposed new regulations.

ASQ
January 2018

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Appendix A

Birkbeck, University of
London

Common Awards
Scheme

Regulations for Taught
Programmes of Study
2018/19

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Appendix A

Birkbeck, University of London

Regulations for Taught Programmes of Study
Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 6
Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 6
Scope of the Regulations ................................................................................................ 7
Application of the Regulations ........................................................................................ 8
Effective Dates for the Regulations ............................................................................... 8
Academic Year ................................................................................................................. 8
Definition of Terms ........................................................................................................... 8
Part One: General Regulations .................................................................................... 11
1.0. Admission and Registration of Students on to Taught Programmes .................. 11
2.0. Accredited Prior Learning (APL) ............................................................................ 11
3.0. Period of Student Registration and Credit Validity ............................................... 13
4.0. Interruption of Studies ............................................................................................. 13
5.0. Enrolment ................................................................................................................. 14
6.0. Module Registration ................................................................................................ 14
7.0. Withdrawal from a Programme of Study ............................................................... 14
8.0. Supplementary Modules ......................................................................................... 15
9.0. Progression from One Year of Study to Another .................................................. 15
10.0. Progression from Foundation Degree to an Honours Degree ......................... 15
Part Two: Structure and Framework ........................................................................... 16
11.0. General Structure and Framework .................................................................... 16
12.0. Length of Programme ......................................................................................... 17
13.0. Students Registered for Degrees of the University Undertaking Study
Elsewhere ............................................................................................................................ 19
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Appendix A
Regulations for Taught Programmes of Study 2018/19
14.0. Awards ................................................................................................................. 20
Part Three: Assessment ................................................................................................ 22
15.0. General ................................................................................................................. 22
16.0. Coursework and Examinations .......................................................................... 22
17.0. Marking and Moderation and External Scrutiny ................................................ 23
18.0. Examinations ....................................................................................................... 23
19.0. Personalised Examination Provision (PEP). ..................................................... 23
20.0. Late Submission of Assessment ........................................................................ 24
21.0. Passing a Module ................................................................................................ 25
22.0. Reassessment ..................................................................................................... 25
23.0. Timing and Format of Reassessment ................................................................ 27
24.0. “Compensated Fail” and Awards ....................................................................... 27
25.0. Failure of a Module ............................................................................................. 29
26.0. Re-take of a Module ............................................................................................ 29
27.0. Alternative Modules ............................................................................................. 29
28.0. Reassessment in or Re-take of a Module to Improve a Mark ......................... 30
29.0. Deferral ................................................................................................................. 30
30.0. Deferral in the Whole Module ............................................................................. 31
31.0. Accepted Mitigating Circumstances Claims for Work That Has Achieved a
Pass ...................................................................................................................................31
32.0. Non-participation in Deferred Assessment ....................................................... 31
33.0. Change of Mark After a Sub-board of Examiners ............................................ 31
34.0. Representations from Candidates Concerning Assessment Results ............. 32
Part Four: Conferment of Awards ............................................................................... 32
35.0. Approved Programme of Study .......................................................................... 32
36.0. Award of Birkbeck College Certificates ............................................................. 32
37.0. Award of a Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) ...................................... 33
38.0. Award of a Diploma of Higher Education (Dip HE)........................................... 34
39.0. Award of a Foundation Degree (FdA and FdSc) .............................................. 35
40.0. Award of a Single Honours Degree ................................................................... 36
41.0. Award of a Joint Honours Degree ...................................................................... 37
42.0. Award of a Major/Minor Honours Degree .......................................................... 37
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