Quality Handbook

This Quality Handbook provides academic and administrative staff with an essential summary of the main quality assurance procedures in place at The University of Buckingham. It includes the key procedures and guidance for the approval of new and revised taught academic provision, the annual and periodic review of programmes, the external examining procedures and Code of Practice, information on collecting student feedback and good practice and enhancement.

Section 1: Introduction

• 1.1 Introduction to Quality and Standards
• 1.2 Sector-Recognised Standards

Section 2: New Programmes and Modules

• 2.1a New Programme and Module Approval Procedure (PDF)
• 2.1b New Programmes and Modules Flowchart (PDF)
• 2.1c New Programme Approval (Validation Panel) Procedure (PDF)
• 2.2a Business Case Form (Word)
• 2.2b Business Case (Financial) Template (Excel)
• 2.3 Employer Consultation Form New Programme (Word)
• 2.4 Programme Specification Template (Word)
• 2.5 Module Specification Template (Word)
• 2.6 Module Mapping Template (Excel)
• 2.7 Assessment Matrix template (Excel)
• 2.8 Calendar Entry Grid Undergraduate (Word)
• 2.9 Calendar Entry Grids_Masters Entries (Word)
• 2.10 Approval Checklist – New Programmes (Word)
• 2.11 Approval Checklist for New Modules on Existing Programmes (PDF)
• 2.12 Early Marketing Procedure (PDF)

Section 3: Changing Programmes and Modules

• 3.1 Changes to Provision Procedure v1 Sept 2022 (PDF)
• 3.2 Changes to Provision Flowchart (PDF)
• 3.3 Change Request Submission Portal (PDF)

Section 4: Annual Monitoring

• 4.1 Annual Monitoring Process Map (PDF)
• 4.2 Programme Annual Monitoring Template (Word)

Section 5: Quinquennial Programme Review

• 5.1 Quinquennial Review Procedure (PDF)
• 5.2 QQR Template for Review Organisation (Word)
• 5.3 QQR Agenda Template for Sub-Committee Meetings 2016 (Word)
• 5.4 QQR Template for Programme Reports (Word)
• 5.5 QQR Template for School Overview Report (Word)
• 5.6 QQR Template for External Panel Meeting (Word)
• 5.7 QQR Template for External Panel Report to Senate (Word)
• 5.8 QQR Template for School Action Plan (Word)
• 5.9 QQR Template for Comparative Analysis of Reviews (Word)
• 5.10 QQR Student Representative Guidelines (PDF)

Section 6: Closure or Suspension of Programmes

• 6.1 Closure of Programme Procedure (PDF)
• 6.2 Closure of Programmes Forms (PDF)
• 6.3 Re-Activation of Programme Form (PDF)

Section 7: External Examining

• 7.1 External Examiner Code of Practice (PDF)
• 7.2 Appendix 1 Standard Operating Procedure for External Examiner Nomination, Approval and Appointment (PDF)
• 7.3 Appendix 2 External Examiner Appointment Form (Word)
• 7.4 Appendix 3 Standard Operating Procedure for Processing External Examiner Payments (PDF)
• 7.5 Appendix 4 Standard Operating Procedure for External Examining (PDF)
• 7.6 Appendix 5 Assessment Verification Form (Word)
• 7.7 Appendix 6 External Examiners Annual Report & Response Form (Excel)

Section 8: Student Representation and Feedback

• 8.1 National Student Survey Overview (PDF)
• 8.2 Student Representative Handbook (PDF)
• 8.3 Student Voice Policy (PDF)

Section 9: Good Practice and Enhancement

• 9.1 Good Practice Guide for Staff (PDF)

Section 10: Published Information Policy

• 10.1 Published Information Policy (PDF)