Governance Support and External Regulation
The quality management framework at NTU is designed to provide oversight of the standards and quality of courses, student experience and student outcomes. Quality management is primarily driven by teams within CADQ specialising in academic assurance and policy, data and systems and collaborations and partnerships. These highly experienced teams assist the institution by offering support, advice and assurance to ensure we continue to maintain the highest quality and standards of education for all students.
External Regulation
The Office for Students (OfS) sets out conditions of registration which all Higher Education providers are expected to meet.
Our teams have expertise in policy and regulations which ensures that NTU remains aligned with sector requirements.
Information on NTU’s response to the following regulations and policies can be seen below:
- Office for Students conditions of registration.
- Quality Assurance Agency (new Quality Code due to be released Summer / Autumn 2023).
- Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs).
- Degree Outcomes Statement as prescribed by the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment (UKSCQA),Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) was established by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 as an independent public body which reporst to Parliament through the Department for Education. The OfS holds regulatory and investigative powers, notably those which relate to Quality and Standards.
Members of the Academic Quality team monitor, advise and plan to support Schools meet and exceed the OfS’ ‘B Conditions’.
Requires that all students should receive a high quality academic experience. This means, for example, that courses must be up-to-date, challenging and well delivered, and must equip students with the skills they will need after graduation
Requires universities and colleges to take all reasonable steps to ensure that all students receive the resources and support they need to succeed on their courses and after graduation. This is particularly important for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This condition also requires universities and colleges to have in place effective engagement with their students, so that they have routine opportunities to contribute to the development of their academic experience and higher education course.
The provider must deliver successful outcomes for all of its students, which are recognised and valued by employers, and/or enable further study.
Requires universities and colleges to assess students effectively and award qualifications that are credible compared to those granted previously and are based on the knowledge and skills of students. The same level of student achievement should not be rewarded with higher degree classifications over time.
Which ensures that the course standards are consistent with applicable sector-recognised standards.
These conditions are monitored through a combination of NTU’s cyclical School Periodic Review (details below) and ongoing Course Review and Monitoring.
Quality Assurance Agency
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) is an independent body trusted by the sector, and its regulatory bodies, to maintain and enhance quality and standards.
The QAA continue to be the curator of the Quality Code, a set of standards that underpin the sector’s international reputation.
CADQ ensure alignment with QAA expectation and uses the advice and guidance as a benchmark for innovation. An example of this is assessment, where CADQ has led significant developments in degree algorithms to ensure rigour and fairness. This innovative work is now used as a case study and example by the QAA on how to address national concerns around grade inflation.
All NTU academic policy, regulations, procedures and processes are detailed in the NTU Quality Handbook.
Get in touch
If you have a quality-related query, please contact Fran McKay, Academic Quality Manager.
Governance Advice and Support
The Academic Quality team within the Centre for Academic Development and Quality advises and supports the governance functions for NTU at both an institutional and School level.
At an Institutional level, the support offered includes;
- assuring NTU’s Academic Board and Board of Governors that we continue to meet the B conditions of registration for academic standards and keeping them abreast of the changing regulatory landscape;
- acting as the executive functions for sub-committees of Academic Board, such as the Academic Standards and Quality Committee (ASQC); and,
- curating, managing and reviewing academic policy,
- advising and supporting to our Collaborative Partners
At a School level, the team work with School Standards and Quality Managers to support them in their delegated responsibility for local quality assurance and enhancement. The support mechanisms centre around the management of quality and standards ensuring that processes are sustainable, robust and fit for purpose.
NTU Degree Outcomes Statement
The Degree Outcomes Statement outlines how the institution meets expectations set out in the UK Quality Code and the Office for Students’ conditions of registration (B4 and B5) that relate to protecting the value of qualifications. It is updated on an annual basis.
The statement has been produced in line with guidance issued by the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment (UKSCQA).
Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs)
Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) are a diverse group of professional bodies, employers, and regulators which set standards for, and may regulate entry into, professions or professional bodies within Higher Education. Some are authorised to accredit, approve or recognise specific Higher Education qualifications leading to a relevant qualification.
Recognition of a course by a PSRB has a positive impact on students' employment prospects and ensures that the course remains current and aligned to employers’ needs.
At NTU we have arrangements with over 60 PSRBs, covering over 200 courses. Details of NTU’s PRSB currently accredited courses can be found on the NTU PSRB Register. If you require historical information about an accreditation, please contact CADQ.
Periodic review
Periodic Review is the process by which the University assesses the effectiveness in how its academic Schools manage and enhance the quality of the student experience. The outcomes of Periodic Review serve to support the University’s Board of Governors in their assurance that the University meets its OfS obligations.
Periodic Review draws on evidence from a range of sources that include student satisfaction, employer feedback, and internal quality assurance mechanisms. Time is spent during the review discussing areas of challenge, priority and excellence in relation to this evidence.
For more information about how Periodic Review works, see Section 7 and its supplements in the Quality Handbook.
NTU's Quality Handbook
Our Quality Handbook is the publication of a range of policies related to ensuring the quality and standards of NTU’s provision. It is maintained, revised and curated by colleagues with policy expertise across the team, in response to changes agreed through the formal governance process. Senior Quality Advisors have specific responsibility for different areas of policy.
For more information on what our Senior Advisors can offer please contact cadq.qualityteam@ntu.ac.uk.
Contact us
If you would like to know more about the work of CADQ, please email cadq.enquiries@ntu.ac.uk.