Quality Assurance Committee

A meeting of the Quality Assurance Committee will be held on Wednesday 18 February 2026 at 2:05pm – 3:55pm via Microsoft Teams and Committee Room 2, University Office

Mr Liam Dyker, Administrative Officer

Clerk to the Quality Assurance Committee

(Email: liam.dyker2@abdn.ac.uk )

AGENDA

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting

(QAC/180226/001)

2. Matters Arising and Action Log

(QAC/180226/002)

3. Work-Based Learning Policy

(QAC/180226/003)

          Presenter: Tracey Innes

          Members of the Committee are invited to consider and approve the Work-Based Learning Policy.

4. Postgraduate Taught Policy Review TFG

• •  Code of Practice on Assessment (Postgraduate Taught)

(QAC/180226/004)

          Presenter: Jason Bohan

          Members of the Committee will discuss the revisions proposed to the Code of Practice on Assessment (Postgraduate Taught).

• Code of Practice on Student Discipline (Academic) (QAC/180226/005)

          Presenter: Jason Bohan

          Members of the Committee will discuss the revisions proposed to the Code of Practice on Student Discipline (Academic).

5. Omnibus Resolution 2026/27

(QAC/180226/006)

          Presenter: Clerk (Omnibus) and Jason Bohan (PGT Regulations)

          Members of the Committee are invited to approve the Omnibus Resolution for 2026/27.  

6. Articulation Pathways 2027/28

(QAC/180226/007)

          Presenter: Sally Middleton

          Members of the Committee are invited to consider and approve the articulation pathways paper for academic year 2026/27.                                                                                                           

7. Update on Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER)

(Oral Item)

          Presenter: Chair

          Members of the Committee will hear an update on the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER) for which the initial visit took place on 9-10 December 2025. 

8. Student Casework Updates

          (i) Appeals and Complaints Handling Update 2024/25                     

(QAC/180226/008)

          Presenter: Clerk

          (ii) Academic Discipline Update 2024/25                                            

(QAC/180226/009)

          Presenter: Clerk

          The Committee is invited to discuss the updates provided in respect of Appeals, Complaints and Academic Discipline for academic year 2024/25.  

9. School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition (Non-Healthcare) Internal Teaching Review Report

(QAC/180226/010)

          Presenter: Will Barras

           Members of the Committee are invited to approve the School of MMSN (Non-Healthcare) Internal Teaching Review Report.

10. Date of Next Meeting

          The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 11 March 2026 at 2:05pm in Committee Room 2, University Office or via Microsoft Teams. The meeting will consider Annual Partnership Reports and ITR Annual Follow-Up Reports.

11. Business for Routine Approval (see below)

12. Business for Information (see below)

           Declaration of interests: Any member and individual in attendance (including Officers) who has a clear interest in a matter on the agenda should declare that interest at the relevant meeting, whether or not that interest is already recorded in the Registry of Member’s interests.

FOR ROUTINE APPROVAL

11.1   Quality and Planning SharePoint Site

(QAC/180226/011)

          Presenter: Clerk (if required)

          Members of the Committee are invited to approve, by routine approval, the recommended action in respect of the Quality & Planning SharePoint Site.

11.2   Term Dates for Academic Year 2027/28                              

(QAC/180226/012

          Presenter: Clerk (if required)

          Members of the Committee are invited to approve, by routine approval, the term dates for academic year 2027/28.

11.3   Deadlines for the Return of Results 2026/27                                     

(QAC/180226/013)

          Presenter: Clerk (if required)

          Members of the Committee are invited to approve, by routine approval, the deadlines for the return of results 2026/27.

11.4   Deadlines for the Refusal of Class Certificates 2026/27                  

(QAC/180226/014)

          Presenter: Clerk (if required)

          Members of the Committee are invited to approve, by routine approval, the deadlines for the refusal of class certificates 2026/27.

11.5   Creation of a Graduation Gown for the Degree of Doctor of Counselling (DCouns)       

(QAC/180226/015)

          Presenter: Clerk (if required)

          Members of the Committee are invited to approve, by routine approval, the creation of a graduation gown for the degree of Doctor of Counselling (DCouns).

FOR INFORMATION

12.1     Students’ Progress Committee (SPC)

            (i) Minutes of the Meeting in January 2026                                     

(QAC/180226/016)

            (ii) Summary Data of the SPC Progression Exercise 2025           

(QAC/180226/017)

             Members of the Committee are invited to note the (i) minute of the SPC meeting in January 2026 and (ii) summary data of the progress exercise in 2025.

 12.2     Matters Approved by Circulation and Convenor’s Action

            (i) Deadlines for the Return of Results (2025/26)

            Presenter: Chair (if required)

            The Committee is invited to note the approval of the Convenor and Vice-Principal (Education) to amend the UG deadline for the return of results in January 2025. The previous deadline was 23 January, and the revised (approved) deadline is 30 January, as a result of the delay caused by the weather conditions at the start of January.

             (ii) Psychology Assessments Rescaling   

(QAC/180226/018)

            Presenter: Chair (if required)

            Members of the Committee are invited to note the Psychology Assessments Rescaling, as approved by Circulation.

12.3     Institutional Liaison Meeting Guidance

(QAC/180226/019)

            Presenter: Chair or Clerk (if required)

            Members of the Committee are invited to note the updated guidance for Institutional Liaison Meetings from the Quality Assurance Agency for Scotland.

Previous Agendas

Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) Digest

This digest provides a short summary of the outcome of the meeting of the Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) held on 18 February 2026. Staff can access the full agendas and papers on the University website.

 Work-Based Learning Policy

The QAC, for its part, approved the Work-Based Learning Policy.

 Postgraduate Taught Policy Review TFG

The Committee discussed the following policies under review by the PGT Policy Review TFG: (i) Code of Practice on Assessment (Postgraduate Taught); and (ii) Code of Practice on Student Discipline (Academic).

 Omnibus Resolution 2026/27

The Committee approved, for its part, the Omnibus Resolution 2026/27 for onward consideration by the Senate and the Court.

Articulation Pathways 2027/28

The Committee approved the Articulation Pathways for 2027/28.

Update on Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER)

The Committee received an update on the recent Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review, noting the review took place from Monday 2 to Thursday 5 February 2026. Thanks were expressed specifically to Emma Tough for her role in the organisation of and preparation for the review; and to the staff and students who participated in the process. The Committee noted that the focus of the meetings was varied with discussions around student voice, assessment and feedback, approaches to data across the University, TNE and partnership, staff training and development, pastoral support. An initial outcome letter is due on 19 February, with a draft final report issued by 19 March.

Student Casework Updates

The Committee discussed the student casework updates for 2024/25 in respect of:

• Academic Appeals and Complaints Handling; and
• Academic Discipline.

School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition (Non-Healthcare) Internal Teaching Review Report

The Committee approved the School of MMSN (Non-Healthcare) Internal Teaching Review Report. The Committee agreed that areas of good practice that were raised in the report should be shared and disseminated more broadly across the University. The report contains the specific detail, however, in summary, the following areas of good practice were identified by the Committee:

• The collegiate approach taken by the School for both staff and students, despite its size and scale;
• The practical teaching offered as well as authentic assessments (which were welcomed by students);
• Cultural sensitivity and standards were judged to be well balanced across the programmes.
• The range of employability and placement opportunities is excellent; and
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is well represented across the programmes.

Quality and Planning SharePoint Site

The Committee approved, by routine approval, the proposals in relation to the Quality and Planning SharePoint site.

Deadlines for the Return of Results 2026/27

The Committee approved, by routine approval, the Deadlines for the Return of Results 2026/27.

Deadlines for the Refusal of Class Certificates 2026/27

The Committee approved, by routine approval, the Deadlines for the Refusal of Class Certificates 2026/27.

Creation of a Graduation Gown for the Degree of Doctor of Counselling (DCouns)

The Committee approved, by routine approval, the Creation of a Graduation Gown for the Degree of Doctor of Counselling (DCouns).

Students’ Progress Committee (SPC)

The Committee noted the following matters in respect of the Students’ Progress Committee:

(i) Minute of the Meeting in January 2026; and

(ii) Summary Data of the SPC Progression Exercise 2025.

Matters Approved by Circulation and Convenor’s Action

The Committee noted the following matters previously approved by circulation or Convenor’s Action:

(i) Deadlines for the Return of Results 2025/26: the Convenor and Vice-Principal (Education) approved an amendment to the UG deadline for the return of results in January 2025. The previous deadline was 23 January, and the revised (approved) deadline is 30 January, as a result of the delay caused by the weather conditions at the start of January.

(ii) Psychology Assessments Rescaling.

Institutional Liaison Meeting Guidance

The QAC noted the updated Institutional Liaison Meeting Guidance from QAA Scotland.

Any questions regarding the Quality Assurance Committee digest should be sent to academicservices@abdn.ac.uk.

(To be reviewed annually at last meeting of committee cycle with proposed changes to be considered by Senate)

To be responsible to the Senatus Academicus for the strategic oversight of:

1. the quality assurance of undergraduate, postgraduate taught and taught elements of postgraduate research provision;
2. the development of policies and practices for the assurance of the quality of the University's education provisions, particularly in relation to the design, implementation, evaluation and review of mechanisms for the quality assurance and quality enhancement of education provision;
3. the safeguarding of academic standards.

The Quality Assurance Committee shall:

• In consultation with School Education Committees, and the Graduate School (PGR) as appropriate, review proposals for (a) the introduction of new courses and programmes of study (b) amendments to existing courses and programmes, and (c) the withdrawal of existing courses and programmes, and make appropriate recommendations;
• Approve changes to the Regulations for Certificates and Diplomas and to General and Supplementary Regulations for Degrees in advance of their incorporation into a formal draft Resolution for consideration by Senate;
• Oversee the quality assurance of taught courses and programmes through scrutiny of reports from the Annual Course Review (ACR) Exercise, Annual Programme Review (APR) Exercise, External Examiner Reports, Internal Teaching Review Reports and Reports from Professional, Statutory & Regulatory Bodies, as applicable; and address any policy issues that arise, as appropriate;
• Be responsible for co-ordinating a regular programme of Internal Teaching Reviews for monitoring and reviewing courses and programmes of study and consider and recommend to Senate revisions to the procedures for Internal Teaching Review, as necessary;
• Be responsible, on behalf of Senate, for the oversight of the University's engagement with the work of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), including Enhancement-led Institutional Review (ELIR);
• Informed by the work of the Academic Policy and Regulations Group, have oversight of the development, implementation and regular review of University policy relating to educational provision in regard to undergraduate, postgraduate taught and taught elements of postgraduate research provision ensuring their alignment to the QAA Quality Code, the wider Academic Infrastructure, legal compliance (e.g. equality, diversity and inclusion) and other relevant external reference points, seeking input from the University Education Committee, as appropriate, prior to recommending new policies or revisions to Senate for approval;
• Ensure that collaborative partnership agreements meet University quality assurance requirements and monitor the quality of provision provided by collaborative partners through the scrutiny of annual reports and recommend to Senate revisions to the procedures for the approval and oversight of collaborative provision, as necessary;
• In partnership with Aberdeen University Students' Association, ensure effective student engagement and representation of student voices in the University's quality framework;
• Monitor the quality of work-based learning provision and study abroad opportunities;
• Appoint from its membership, four members to serve on Senate, ex officio, as required;
• Oversee issues relating to student progress, including the establishment of Student Progress Committees and Fitness to Practise Committees, as appropriate, and make recommendations to the Senate for the discontinuation of attendance, as appropriate;
• Ensure regular review of academic appeals, complaints and academic discipline to identify any trends or issues which require to be addressed;
• Review annual reports from the Students' Progress Committee;
• Act on behalf of Senate, after consultation with Heads of School to: a. approve dates of terms; b. approve deadline for refusal of class certificates; c. approve deadlines for return of examination results; d. approve arrangements for graduation ceremonies; e. approve changes to minimum entry requirements.
• Work closely with the University Education Committee and its sub-committees in regard to any matters for which there are quality assurance implications;
• Undertake such other functions as may be referred to the Committee by Senate.

Members' Responsibilities:

Each member will ensure that they consult with their own School, through their School Education Committee and other forums, on relevant matters, and provide feedback into QAC which represents the views of their School. Each School member of the Quality Assurance Committee shall have delegated authority to have oversight, on behalf of the Quality Assurance Committee, for their area of responsibility.

Chair: Professor Steven Tucker

Clerk: Liam Dyker

Email: liam.dyker2@abdn.ac.uk

Attendance Records

Previous Attendance Records

• Attendance Records for 2020/21
• Attendance Records for 2019/20
• Attendance Records for 2018/19
• Attendance Records for 2017/18

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• QE-TNE Survey Response