Quality Assurance Committee

A meeting of the Quality Assurance Committee will be held on 11 December 2025 at 2:05pm 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/111225/001)
2. Matters Arising and Action Log (QAC/111225/002)
3. Postgraduate Research Absence and Parental Leave Policies (QAC/111225/003)

        Presenter: Rhiannon Thompson and/or Lucy Leiper

         Members of the Committee are invited to approve the PGR Absence and Parental Leave Policies.

4. Programme Specifications (QAC/111225/004)

          Presenter: JP Mynott

          Members of the Committee are invited to consider and approve the programme specification proposals.

5. Update on PGT Policy Review TFG (QAC/111225/005)

          Presenter: Jason Bohan

          Members of the Committee will discuss the update in respect of the PGT Policy Review and provide feedback in respect of the matters requested.

6. 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. 

7. Education Policy and Regulations Review (QAC/111225/006, to follow)

          Presenter: Emma Tough

          Members of the Committee are invited to discuss and approve the Education Policy and Regulations Review.

8. Date of Next Meeting

          The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 18 February 2026 at 2:05pm in Committee Room 2, University Office or via Microsoft Teams.

9. Business for Information (see overleaf)

          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.

9. FOR INFORMATION

9.1       PSRB: General Teaching Council for Scotland (BMus Education)

                                                                                   (QAC/111225/007)

            Members of the Committee are invited to note the update in respect of the General Teaching Council for Scotland for the BMus Education Programme.

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 11 December 2025. Staff can access the full agendas and papers on the University website.

Postgraduate Research Absence and Parental Leave Policies

The Committee approved the changes to Postgraduate Research policies in respect of Student Absence and Parental Leave.

Programme Specifications

The Committee approved the proposals in respect of Programme Specifications.

Update on Postgraduate Taught Policy Review TFG

The QAC received an update on the ongoing work in respect of the PGT Policy Review TFG. The TFG is considering changes to the following policies and regulations: (i) Code of Practice (PGT); (ii) Code of Practice on Assessment (PGT); (iii) Code of Practice on Student Discipline (Academic); and (iv) Postgraduate Taught Regulations.

Update on Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER)

The Committee heard an update in respect of the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review.

PSRB: General Teaching Council for Scotland (BMus Education)

The Committee noted the reaccreditation for the BMus Education programme by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

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