Quality assurance procedures: Section E

Section E: The validation of Non-credit Bearing Courses 

 

E1. Validation of courses

This section relates to the validation of courses (normally short courses) which do not lead to the award of University Credit (i.e. are outside of the CATS framework).

Requests for the approval of non-credit bearing courses should be submitted to Registry on the Outline Proposal - Key Details Form. Requests will be considered on a case by case basis and a proportionate event type will be assigned based on the level of risk presented by the proposal.

 

E2. Documentation required for validation

The following is the minimum documentation required for a course to be validated:

 

Context of the course

• Introduction and rationale (including institutional policies and plans).
• Statement on resources (signed by the Dean of the School).
• Curricula vitae of the course team, and research and staff development activities relevant to the course.
• A signed resource statement from Computing and Library Services.
• Confirmation of consultation with Disability Services regarding available support or additional funding requirements to provide support the provision.

 

Definitive course document

• Aims and objectives of the course.
• Regulations for admission, assessment, progression and award.
• Course structure and rationale, syllabuses and teaching methods.
• Course management.
• Where applicable, full report of the School event and confirmation from the Chair of the School panel that any conditions have been met.

 

E3. Validation procedures

The validation procedures will normally be in accordance with those specified in sections B3 to B8; however, where delivery involves Distance Learning, guidance contained within Section D of these regulations will be followed. In cases where the course is also subject to external validation the procedures may be modified to take account of the requirements of the external body and to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort.

 

E4. Monitoring, Annual evaluation, minor changes and revalidation

Schools will keep a schedule of its portfolio of non-credit bearing courses and will submit a copy to Registry at the start of the academic year.

Non-credit bearing courses will follow the standard University procedures for annual evaluation, the approval of minor changes to courses and the revalidation of courses as specified in sections L, B and G of this handbook.