The University of York has well-developed processes for ensuring that assessment activities and criteria are in line with national expectations and published sector reference points. Our programme approval processes (including those for partner’s provision the University validates) ensure that Programme Learning Outcomes are aligned with the Sector Recognised Standards for qualification descriptors, and programme design is informed by the relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Statement and Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Bodies. All new programme proposals are evaluated by an external assessor.

University Assessment Policies and Procedures articulate the principles and policies for assessment, standards, marking and feedback. Schools/departments and validated partners are responsible for the development of assessment and marking criteria that adhere to these principles. Devolution to subject areas ensures that choice of assessment formats, assessment criteria and marking practices are informed by external reference points and reflect discipline-specific expectations.

External Examiners oversee all taught provision that leads to the award of credit or a qualification of the University (including validated provision). They are recruited following a robust process aligned with the principles defined by the UK Quality Code, with appointments approved by the Standing Committee on Assessment. An Institutional External Examiner also provides additional, high-level insight and oversight to ensure management of standards is comparable in the sector. In the last five years of this review period, the vast majority of External Examiner reports confirmed, for all undergraduate programmes, that (i) standards set are appropriate for the qualification; (ii) academic standards and the achievements of students are comparable with similar programmes in other UK institutions; (iii) processes for assessment, examination and the determination of awards followed policy and were fairly conducted. Where examiners raised concerns, these issues were reviewed and appropriate actions taken to secure standards.

Responsibility for the assurance of standards of taught provision resides with a Senate Committee; University Teaching Committee (UTC) which is chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Students and includes Student Representatives. The Standing Committee on Assessment (SCA), a sub-committee of UTC, is responsible for the monitoring and review of policies and procedures relating to assessments, marking, feedback and progression, and for the approval of External Examiners. An External Examiner summary report, which identifies University-wide issues and common themes arising from External Examiners’ annual reports, is considered by SCA and UTC; this ensures robust oversight of institution-wide and substantive issues relating to assessment, marking and standards. The Institutional External Examiner also provides a high-level overview, including review of this statement, to inform UTC.

Analyses of undergraduate and taught postgraduate degree classification distributions are considered by UTC and SCA annually; degree outcomes data is also considered annually by schools/ departments as part of our annual monitoring and review processes.

All Hull York Medical School (HYMS) programmes are awarded jointly by the Universities of Hull and York; a distinct quality and standards framework, overseen by the HYMS Joint Senate Committee. The processes for securing standards and for the assurance and enhancement of quality are comparable to those articulated within the Degree Outcomes Statements of the Universities of Hull and York.

The University validates the Bachelors degrees designed and delivered by CITY College, the University of York Europe Campus. CITY College leaders are members of Senate, UTC and SCA and joint learning and teaching committees. Subject contacts from University cognate departments and regular monitoring and evaluation exercises ensure the comparability of quality and standards of programmes delivered at CITY College. The first bachelors students graduated in 2024 and outcomes data will be included in future statements.

The University of York has a single undergraduate modular framework for all undergraduate awards, which provides a single set of progression, award and classification regulations. All Bachelors (Level 6) degrees are classified using the same, single, algorithm which is based on a weighted average of all marks obtained in modules in the final two years of study. The definitive list of progression, award and classification regulations can be found in the University Assessment Policies and Procedures. In addition, we publish Student Guides to the same regulations. These documents summarise the rules on progression, compensation, reassessment, award and degree classification, including the rules for borderline cases.

For the period covered by this statement, other than the temporary changes introduced in 2020, 2021 and 2022 during the Covid-19 pandemic (see above), the only substantive modification made to the award rules since 2010 is a reduction in the minimum module mark required to allow compensation in the final year of study, a change which reduced the number of final-year resits (2017-2023 graduates). It should be noted that degree classification to 2022/23 has been based on first-attempt module marks, not the marks after resit. An analysis of outcomes was undertaken after two years of operation of this amended rule and, of the small number of graduating students affected by the change, the majority did not obtain upper classification awards. It should be noted that the University has undertaken a review of the progression and award rules, which implemented changes from the academic year 23/24.

In 2023, the institution proudly achieved a Gold award in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) demonstrating delivery of consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for our students. The past decade has seen a series of learning and teaching strategic initiatives each designed to secure standards and assurance, and enhance the quality of the student experience. In recent years, inclusive learning projects have been prioritised to support all students, such as student-led learning communities projects, Peer Assisted Learning and the Decolonising and diversifying the curriculum project.

Other university provision to support student success includes the Writing Centre, Maths Skills Centre, academic integrity resources and a series of online Skills Guides to supplement embedded skills training. All first year students can take part in our York Strengths Programme that supports students in understanding the transferable/core skills graduate employers are looking for, and enables them to explore these using a strengths based approach to understand what they can do and love to do. Our teaching, learning and community spaces are constantly developing and improving. For example, our Law Clinic, Sustainability Clinic, and in the Library our creativity spaces, family room and range of study spaces.

We are confident that, as outlined above, our processes for securing standards, and institutional oversight thereof, are robust. In undertaking the work to develop our Degree Outcomes Statement we have enhanced our degree outcomes data sets. Notably we have expanded our suite of Tableau workbooks to include students’ top three A level results; this enhancement allows analysis of how degree outcomes vary over time and any correlation with A level grades.

The University has undertaken a full review of the award and progression rules, implemented from 2023/24. The review was partly motivated by a recent revision of the modular scheme framework, which applied to all programmes from the 2023/24 academic year, along with a shift to a semesterised calendar.

The revised rules will affect awards in 2024 and the analysis of 2023/24 outcomes will reflect this. The University Assessment Policies and Procedures are under review in 2024/25 to improve the student and staff experience of assessment, marking and feedback and to maintain academic standards.

With the first Bachelors graduates in 2024 at CITY College, University of York Europe Campus, our outcomes monitoring, evaluation and reporting activity will also include CITY College graduate data in future statements.