Accessibility statement

Annual Programme Review (APR)

The purpose of APR is to:

  • reassure UTC that quality and standards are being managed
  • ensure that the expectations of the QAA are being met
  • identify areas of risk
  • identify where contributions to quality enhancement in the university are being made

As a result of the APR departments should be able to identify areas for improvement, produce achievable, measurable actions and highlight good practice.

The involvement of student representatives in the APR meeting is crucial. Departments may also wish to involve their departmental UTC contact and are encouraged to use the expertise of their Academic Quality team contact.

Non-award bearing programmes

Non-award bearing programmes are subject to APR in the same way as credit bearing programmes.

Annual Programme Reviews by year

2019/20

Review of the academic year 2019/20

Last year we streamlined the process significantly, removing duplication within NSS and APR reporting and making other simplifications to reduce workload for departments.  These changes are retained and further steps to simplify the process have been taken. The cover note below outlines the amendments in detail - the key changes are:
  • removal, for this year, of the requirement for reflection at the programme-level (or cluster of related programmes);
  • while departments may wish to involve their UTC contact (as an opportunity to share good practice) it is no longer an expectation for the UTC contact to attend the APR meeting;
  • the FLTG/UTC/PPSC response to the APR report (circulated in previous years via a Word format at the end of the Spring Term) has been incorporated within the template (it is envisaged that this change will provide a more effective way of providing the FLTG/UTC/PPSC response to departments).

Forms and guidance

Validation

2018/19

Review of the academic year 2018/19

In May 2019 University Teaching Committee approved a number of changes to the Annual Programme Review process (for reporting on 2018-19). The changes, which form part of a wider ongoing review of the University's reporting processes for learning and teaching, are designed to remove unnecessary duplication within the NSS and APR processes. The cover note below outlines the amendments in detail - the key changes are:
  • The format of the Department-level APR report has changed from a Word format to a Google doc.
  • The National Student Survey pro forma has been embedded into the Department-level APR report pro forma.
  • The question on employability has been refocused to encompass a more general reflection on employability.
  • The Student Representation section has been broadened in scope (to capture a reflection on engagement with the Student Voice).
  • Reflection on the results of the Subject TEF pilot has been embedded into the APR process.

What has not changed

  • The individual programme pro forma, for reflection at the programme-level (or cluster of related programmes), is retained (and remains a Word format).
  • Chairs of Boards of Studies determine the internal deadline for submission of the individual programme pro formas.   

 Reports

Departments, supplementary and validated programmes will receive individual responses to reports in March 2020. Issues for other committees and offices have been forwarded to them for consideration and appropriate action. Updates, where appropriate, have been requested by UTC/YGRS for the Summer Term.

Forms and guidance

Validation

2017/18

Review of the academic year 2017/18

Departments, supplementary and validated programmes will receive individual responses to reports in late March 2019. Issues for other committees and offices have been forwarded to them for consideration and appropriate action. Updates, where appropriate, have been requested by UTC/YGRS for the Summer Term.

Forms and guidance

Validation

2016/17

Review of the academic year 2016/17

Departments, supplementary and validated programmes will receive individual responses to reports in February/March 2018. Issues for other committees and offices have been forwarded to them for consideration and appropriate action. Updates, where appropriate, have been requested by UTC/YGRS for the Summer Term.

Forms and guidance

Validation

2015/16

Review of the academic year 2015/16

Departments, supplementary and validated programmes will receive individual responses to reports in February/March 2017. Issues for other committees and offices have been forwarded to them for consideration and appropriate action. Updates, where appropriate, have been requested by UTC/YGRS for the Summer Term.

Forms and guidance

2014/15

Review of the academic year 2014/15

Departments, supplementary and validated programmes will receive individual responses to reports in February/March 2016. Issues for other committees and offices have been forwarded to them for consideration and appropriate action. Updates, where appropriate, have been requested by UTC/YGRS for the Summer Term.

Forms and guidance

2013/14

Review of the academic year 2013/14

Departments, supplementary and validated programmes will receive individual responses to reports in February 2015. Issues for other committees and offices have been forwarded to them for consideration and appropriate action. Updates have been requested by UTC for the Summer Term.

Forms and guidance

2012/13

Review of the academic year 2012/13

Forms and guidance