Processes for quality assurance of assessment
This information supports the Assessment (Coursework, Tests and Examinations) Procedures 2023.
Course-level processes for quality assurance of assessment
| QA task | Responsibility | Outcome and/or output |
|---|---|---|
| Oversight of assessment design and implementation | Course Director | Course assessment is reviewed and approved |
| End-of-course review | Course Director teaching staff |
Issues with assessment or assessment outcomes are identified and reviewed |
| Course evaluations | Course Director Teaching staff |
Assessment issues identified by students are considered, and reviewed where appropriate |
| Examiners confer and review examination papers | Examiners Course Director |
Examination papers are checked |
| Examiners’ meetings | Examiners | Moderation of marking process and outcomes |
Academic unit and faculty processes for quality assurance of assessment
| QA task | Responsibility | Outcome and/or output |
|---|---|---|
| Oversight of assessment | Academic Head | Course outlines approved |
| Changes to assessment | Academic Head | Correct processes are followed and students are informed of changes |
| Course evaluations | Academic Head | Assessment issues across the academic unit are considered, and reviewed where appropriate |
| Academic unit moderation processes | Academic Head | Issues with assessment or assessment outcomes are identified and reviewed |
| Cyclical external moderation of postgraduate courses | Academic Head | External moderation of postgraduate coursework takes place on a two or three-year cycle in each academic unit and consists a review of the content and grading of examination papers and/or (a sample of) other assessed work Moderators must be external to the University and are appointed by an academic head Assessment outcomes are reviewed and standards are assured |
| Assessment in new courses is approved | Associate Dean Academic | Assessment for new courses is approved |
| Oversight of course evaluation results, including ‘red-flagged’ courses | Associate Dean Academic | Assessment issues may be identified as part of review of course evaluation results |
| Oversight of grade distribution and pass rates | Associate Dean Academic | Pass rates are monitored |
University processes for quality assurance of assessment
| QA task | Responsibility | Outcome and/or output |
|---|---|---|
| Academic unit/disciplinary area and programme review evaluation of assessment | University Review Panel | Review reports identify assessment issues as part of consideration of terms of reference or key questions |
| Learning and Teaching Survey | Academic Quality Office | Data on questions about assessment, feedback and workload are reported to faculties and University committees |
| Course and teaching evaluations | Academic Quality Office | The questions on assessment and feedback are considered as part of reporting to faculties and University committees |
| Academic Programmes Committee – regulation changes | Academic Programmes Committee Faculties |
Proposed assessment is at the right level for new qualifications |
| Monitoring of pass rates through the survey round process and two-yearly reports on student pass rates to Education Committee | Faculties Planning and Information Office Education Committee |
Faculties report to Education Committee on pass rates Faculties discuss pass rates with the Provost or delegate during the Survey Round process |
| Report on concurrent teaching | Faculties Education Committee |
Courses taught concurrently have different assessment, and assessment at the right level |
| Report on offshore provision to Education Committee | Education Committee | Ensures courses taught off-shore have appropriate QA processes, including QA of assessment |