Processes for quality assurance of assessment

This information supports the Assessment of Courses Procedures

Course-level processes for quality assurance of assessment

QA taskResponsibilityOutcome and/or output
Oversight of assessment design and implementationCourse DirectorCourse 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’ meetingsExaminersModeration 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