Text only

A-Z Index · About the Registry · Contact Details · Downloadable Forms Timetables (Teaching and Examination) · University Calendar (Degree Regulations) Undergraduate Catalogue of Courses · Postgraduate Catalogue of Courses · Academic Quality Handbook

Internal Teaching Review (ITR)

Internal Teaching Review (ITR) is exactly what it says it is: an 'in-house' review of a School's or Department's teaching-related activities. The aims of the review are:

• to assess the overall quality of teaching - what is taught, in what ways, at what level, and how it is assessed;
• to encourage the School or Department to consider how existing practices can be improved;
• to provide students with the chance to comment on the quality of teaching, learning and other aspects of life at the University, in a way that contributes directly to the first two aims;
• to identify and share examples of 'best practice' so that all of the University's staff and students benefit.

The Review is carried out by an independent panel made up of staff from the University, a student representative appointed by the Students' Association, and one or two specialists from other institutions brought in to offer an outside perspective on the School's or Department's teaching activities. The process is managed by staff from the University Registry. The panel examines a range of documentary evidence supplied by the School or Department, follows this up with a series of interviews conducted with staff and students, and finally writes up its findings as a formal report. The report will publicise those things that a School or Department does well, but it will also identify those areas in which there is room for improvement. The report will be made available, via the web, to all staff and students in the University. A year after the report's production, a follow-up check of the School or Department will be made to ensure that issues identified by the panel have been addressed.

For further information, please consult the following documents:

• Information for those preparing for internal teaching review
• Guidance notes for staff invited to meet visiting panels
• Introduction for students
• Information for panel members and clerks

ITR forms

To be completed and returned as part of a School's ITR submission:

• Self-Evaluation Document template
• Research Student Training and Supervision form
• Programme Review template

Previous ITR Reports

Previous summary reports, and the corresponding School/Discipline responses thereof, can be accessed below:

• Biological Sciences March 2006
• Biomedical Sciences March 2003
• Business School May 2005
• Centre for Lifelong Learning November 2005
• Chemistry March 2004
• CLSM Graduate School May 2008
• Computing Science November 2007
• Education May 2006
• Engineering December 2006-March 2007
• History May 2004
• Language & Literature April-May 2007
• Law School April 2008
• Maths November 2008
• Modern Languages March 2003
• Molecular and Cell Biology May 2004
• Physics November 2008
• Psychology March 2004
• Public Health May 2007
• Social Science April 2009