Quality Handbook Supplement 5I - Requirements for the approval and quality management of different categories of course

2.1 The PSRB must approve these courses under its prevailing procedures and regulations. The outcome of the approval should be reported to the relevant SASQC.

2.2 Course monitoring must follow the PSRB’s procedures. The annual report or equivalent should normally be ‘signed off’ by the School Academic Standards and Quality Committee (SASQC) before submission to the PSRB. SASQC should also use the report as evidence in periodic course review.

2.3 A School’s arrangements for the quality assurance and enhancement of Category 2 courses may be an item at PR – see QH Section 7 for the complete PR process.

2.4 External examiners, or assessors (as appropriate) should be appointed by the PSRB and need not be approved by the University’s EEAP. When the PSRB asks the University to appoint the external examiner, the University’s criteria and processes will apply.

3.1 These courses must be approved via the ASQC Academic Course Approval Sub-Committee according to the University’s approval procedures and by the PSRB under its prevailing regulations.

3.2 Apprenticeships must also follow the requirements outlined in QH Section 10F and associated Supplements.

3.3 Dual awards are permitted – a candidate may receive both the University and PSRB award.

3.4 Course monitoring and reporting must follow the University’s standard procedures and those of the PSRB. Wherever possible, the University’s reporting requirements will be met through the production of a PSRB report, but a suitable template may be agreed between CADQ and SASQC for reporting on any key points not covered by that report.

3.5 A School’s arrangements for the quality assurance and enhancement of Category 3 courses will be an item at PR – see QH Section 7 for the complete PR process.

3.6 All external examiners must be approved by the University's EEAP but the Panel will take due account of any PSRB scrutiny before making its decision.

Further information

• Courses in categories 1, 2 and 3 above must also complete the University’s Business Evaluation process.
• Courses in categories 2 and 3 must also be recorded on the University’s PSRB register.

4.1 Category 4 courses include micro-credentials. For further information on the development and approval of micro-credentials, see Quality Handbook Section 10C.

4.2 These courses should be approved by the relevant SASQC on the basis of a brief document that sets out the:

• course title, duration, aims and outcomes;
• proposed credits and academic level (referred to as Levels 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 respectively in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ);
• intended participants;
• course content, methods of delivery and assessment methods;
• staffing and physical resources.

4.3 SASQC will need to ensure that the academic level and number of credits are appropriate and that the outcomes are satisfactorily assessed.

4.4 In many cases, a course may be derived from existing modules in which case the definitive module information in CourseLoop will provide much of the information.

4.5 SASQC should receive an evaluation report (based upon participant and other feedback) within 2 months of the completion of the course.

4.6 Successful participants may receive a certificate of achievement that sets out the credits and academic level achieved, which is produced by the School.

4.7 Normally, the minimum credit rating should be 5 credits (equivalent to 50 notional learning hours).

4.8 A School’s arrangements for the quality assurance and enhancement of Category 4 courses may be an item at PR – see Section 7 of the QH for the complete PR process.

4.9 There is no need to appoint an external examiner, however, in the case of extended short courses - of 40 credits or more - it may be necessary to have a form of external verification. SASQC and CADQ will agree appropriate arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

6.1 This category is relevant to externally funded, structured short-form provision that requires formal NTU approval, monitoring and reporting and will normally be designed as a credit-bearing provision. In most cases this provision is referred to as ‘Skills Bootcamps’ but may also include other short course provision funded via the Department for Education (DfE), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

Further information

• Skills Bootcamps are short, intensive training programmes (typically up to 16 weeks) funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) to address localised sector-specific skills gaps. They are designed to support progression into employment or career advancement.

6.2 Skills Bootcamps and other funded short course provision are approved by the ASQC Academic Course Approval Sub-Committee.

6.3 The Deputy Dean, or their delegated representative, is the first point of contact within Schools for approval and quality management matters related to Skills Bootcamps and other funded short course provision.

6.4 An Approval to Proceed (AtP) must be completed by Schools before applying for external funding. The AtP begins the Business Evaluation stages of approval and will outline the rationale for the proposal.

6.5 Proposed Skills Bootcamps and other funded short course provision should be approved by the ASQC Academic Course Approval Sub-Committee on the basis of core information in CourseLoop including:

1. Title, duration, and intended outcomes
2. Proposed academic level (referred to as Levels 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 respectively in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ));
3. Target learner profile and eligibility criteria
4. Curriculum structure, assessment method(s) and delivery model (including whether provision will be online or in person)
5. Alignment with the Skills Bootcamp Course Design Requirements.
6. Assessment and evaluation methods
7. Evidence of employer engagement
8. Staffing and resource arrangements, including costings as per the agreed model
9. Compliance with DfE, DWP and/or EMCCA funding and performance management rules, and NTU strategic priorities.

6.6 Skills Bootcamp and other funded short course provision will normally be approved for a period of 5 years, in-line with other NTU provision.

6.7 Skills Bootcamps and other funded short course provision are subject to external and internal quality assurance measures, including:

• Ongoing monitoring by the DfE, DWP and/or EMCCA against funding and performance indicators (e.g. learner starts, completions, job outcomes)
• Routine Ofsted Inspection as part of the University’s Further Education and Skills Inspection.
• Internal learner and employer feedback mechanisms
• End-of-course evaluation report submitted to relevant SASQCs.
• External examiners will not normally be appointed to these courses.