Quality assurance

How we work with external examiners

Our external examiners are appointed in line with our External Examining Policy and Procedures available from the Latest Policies page. Programmes leading to Bournemouth University awards continue to be overseen by external examiners nominated by this institution and approved by the University. 

External examiners play a leading role in assuring the academic standards and quality of the courses we offer. External examiners offer advice and comment on:

• whether the academic standards for our courses are appropriately set and maintained in accordance with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, and relevant professional standards.
• how standards and student performance at the AECC University College compare with that on similar courses at other higher education institutions.
• whether our assessment process is fair and rigorous, and is conducted in accordance with our approved policies and procedures.

Each external examiner submits an annual report which we consider in detail; and we prepare a full response to address any recommendations made. We make external examiners’ reports and responses available in full to staff and students within the University College. 

Further information is available from the Assistant Registrar (Quality Assurance).

Degree Outcomes Statement (Interim)

As set out by the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment (UKSCQA) in their Statement of Intent, providers in England are expected to publish their Degree Outcomes. The formal criteria for the provision of Degree Outcome Statements by Providers is to focus on final classifications for graduates on courses with outcomes at Level 6 of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) (Bachelors awards), looking at trends over time (five years is suggested). In 2019-2020 the University College had only one undergraduate course for which there is final award data. This is an integrated Masters, with final year outcomes on Level 7 FHEQ. We also have only limited awards data, for our own awards, having received taught degree awarding [powers only in May 2016,.

While there is no national expectation, therefore, that we should currently publish a DOS, the University College has undertaken to do so, in the interests of transparency and good practice. Given our circumstances described above, it is not possible to identify meaningful trends and as the identification of individuals could be possible, we are not at this point publishing an Institutional degree classification profile, and will do so when sufficient data is available.  

This statements has been approved by the Board of Governors but was prepared without external input and is therefore regarded as 'interim' until this input has been obtained. 

Otherwise the Statement follows the guidance provided by the UKSCQA on producing Degree Outcomes Statements.

AECC University College Interim Degree Outcomes Statement (DOS) 2019-2020

Partnerships

The University College has policies and procedures in place that enable us to work with academic partners both in the UK and overseas to develop and deliver taught courses in collaboration, in a range of ways, including validation and franchising partnerships. Our policy for considering and approving academic partnerships, and courses delivered in partnership is available from the Latest Policies page. Our Placements policy is available from the same page.

If you are interested in working with the
University College please contact the Assistant Registrar (Quality Assurance).

Student agreement

AECC University College's Student Agreement contains the rules and regulations policies and procedures that will apply to students enrolled on higher education awards of this institution. It forms the basis of a contractual relationship between our students and us. 

You can read the Student Agreement by following the link on our Latest Policies page.

Please contact the Academic Registrar if you are unable to access any of the links to documents or if there is anything in them that you are unsure about and want to discuss.  

Student engagement

AECC University College is a unique, close knit community where staff and students work together to maintain a collegiate, open and safe environment for all aspects of learning and development. Finding out about, and understanding, the student viewpoint is essential for us to maintain and improve the learning experience. We therefore actively encourage student participation and engagement, through both formal and informal means. Our commitment is set out in:

• our Student Charter, which outlines what the University College will do to help students succeed on their course, and what we expect of students so that they can achieve their own goals. It provides the framework for the learning experience.
• our Student Engagement Policy (found on our latest policies page). This outlines the opportunities available to students to engage with and take part in quality assurance and enhancement activities including:
   
  • student representation system and student membership of all key academic committees,
    and the Board of Governors
  • feedback through surveys - all students have the opportunity to complete a Programmes Experience Survey annually, and we take part in the National Student Survey (NSS). The results of the surveys are discussed in the relevant committees and action plans are developed in response where required
  • Student Experience Committee, that articulates the University College vision for student experience and drives a programme of student experience activity; promoting and facilitating a two-way channel of communication between students and staff on matters relating to the student experience and enhancement
  • course monitoring, approval and review activities including student membership of
    Panels
  • activities specific to particular courses.