ITLR A-Z Index
A
- Academic Awards
These are higher education qualifications awarded by the University where a qualification, or academic credit, is granted in formal recognition that a student has achieved the intended learning outcomes and passed the assessments required to meet the academic standards set for the programme or unit of study. Examples include a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Science (MSc) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
- Academic Governance
The deliberative structure by which academic matters such as academic standards, academic quality, or the student learning experience are governed under Senate. Committees such as the University Education Committee, AQSC, SLEEC or Faculty Education Committees are all examples of committees which sit within the academic governance structure of the University.
Further information about our governance structure can be found at: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/gov/committees/diagram/
The terms and references of specific committees, can be found at: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/gov/committees/
- Academic Resourcing Committee (ARC)
ARC oversees the strategic, financial and performance resource planning processes that support academic department strategies and approaches. Further information about its membership and specific responsibilities are available at: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/gov/committees/arc/
- Advisory Suggestions
Review reports will differentiate actions between ‘required actions’ that must be undertaken to address or reduce a risk to academic standards, or ‘advisory suggestions’ where departments are invited to consider further as part of their plans for development. Advisory suggestions replace the use of the term ‘recommendation’, and there is no specific action required for followed up by the University.
- Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are professional programmes of study where an ‘apprentice’ will work and study concurrently. Apprentices are employed to work towards an occupational standard that is set by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) normally for a specific job role and may take up to four years to complete depending on its level. The University offers both ‘higher’ (level 5) and ‘degree’ (levels 6 and 7) apprenticeships. Further information about our apprenticeship can be found at: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/degreeapprenticeships/.
C
- Collaborative Provision
Programmes usually leading to a Warwick award that are delivered by or in partnership with another education organisation such as a Further Education College, a university partner or an employer partner. Models can include franchised or validated partnerships. Further information about different types of collaborative provision can be found at: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/aro/dar/quality/categories/collaborative/definitions/.
Typical examples of programmes would include our:
- 2+2 degrees in the Centre for Lifelong Learning (where students undertake the first two years of study with the partner before understanding the remainder of their study at Warwick).
- MB ChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) which at Warwick is a graduate entry medical training programme delivered by the Warwick Medical School in partnership with NHS Trust Partners such as University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.
- Double degrees (or Joint/Dual) where students receive a final award that bears the name of Warwick and another HE institution, or where more than one award, from multiple institutions, is made for the completion of a single programme of study.
- Collaborative Review
The review process that collaborative provision undergoes to ensure that it adheres to Warwick’s expectations in terms of academic standards, quality and management.
- Condition(s)
The Review Panel will identify conditions where action is needed in order to address a significant risk to the University’s expectations for academic standards and quality.
E
- Education Strategy
Our strategic vision for a Warwick Education and the roadmap to achieving that vision. The Education Strategy was developed following the 2017 ITLR and agreed in 2018. It is available at: https://warwick.ac.uk/about/strategy/education/detail/.
- External Examiner
An independent subject expert appointed by the University to comment on the approaches to assessment and academic standards for a programme so that we can ensure we maintain standards and educational quality relative to the UK higher education sector.
F
- Foundation Level
A higher education programme of study designed to prepare students for a further programme of study for which they do not have the usual entry qualifications. Foundation level programmes sometimes constitute a preparatory 'Year 0' of a degree programme. They are not the same as foundation degrees.
- Franchised Provision
A programme that the University has designed and approves a partner or other organisation to deliver on behalf of the University. Academic standards and the award are overseen by the University.
G
- Grand Challenges
A series of strategic programmes (or challenges) that develop and deliver on the University’s ambitions. For example, the STEM and Social Sciences Grand Challenges are developing a vision for the future of research and education at Warwick. Further information about the University Grand Challenges can be found at: https://warwick.ac.uk/about/strategy.
M
- Module (‘Unit of Study’)
A self-contained, formally structured unit of study, with a coherent and explicit set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Programmes will be made up of a series of modules which will typically include core or core require and optional modules. Modules will usually have an assigned level (4-7) and credit value. A breakdown of module achievement will be displayed on a student transcript as a record of their achievement, alongside a certificate of an academic award, where eligible. Further information about modules is available at: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/aro/dar/quality/categories/courseapproval/.
O
- Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services, and Skills (Ofsted)
An independent English education inspectorate that reports directly to Parliament. It inspects educational standards and quality in compulsory education and skills, including overseeing the quality of apprenticeship training for degree apprenticeships.
- Office for Students (OfS)
The regulator of higher education institutions in England established as part of the 2017 Higher Education Research Act (HERA). The OfS replaces the Higher Education Funding Council in England (HEFCE). Warwick is a registered provider with the OfS and is obliged to comply with its regulatory framework, including the Conditions of Registration. Further information about the OfS can be found at: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/.
P
- Partner
A university, company, or organisation that works in conjunction with Warwick to design or deliver programmes that lead to a Warwick award. This may for example be a higher education provider without degree-awarding powers, such as a Further Education College, or another University or organisation with degree-awarding powers (perhaps overseas) or an employer approved by the University.
- PGCE (‘Postgraduate Certificate in Education’)
Programmes leading to the award of a teaching qualification which is eligible for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England. PGCEs are delivered by Warwick’s Centre for Teacher Education for either primary or secondary school pathways.
- Postgraduate Research (PGR)
Research degrees at level 7 and 8 which typically encompasses Research Masters (MRes or MPhil), Doctorates or Professional Doctorates ((PhD), that usually requires original academic research output.
- Postgraduate Taught (PGT)
Taught degrees at level 7 which encompasses Masters, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip), Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert), Postgraduate Award (PGA) qualifications.
- Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs)
Organisations that set the standards for, and regulate entry into, particular profession(s) and are authorised to accredit, approve or recognise specific programmes leading to the relevant professional qualification(s) - for which they may have a statutory or regulatory responsibility. Many Warwick awards hold PSRB accreditation, such as in medicine, engineering, teaching or accounting.
- Programme (or ‘Course’)
An approved course of study that provides a coherent learning experience and normally leads to a higher education qualification. See Academic Award for further information for examples of programme titles. Further information about the University’s course approval process is available at: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/aro/dar/quality/categories/courseapproval/course/.
Q
- Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
An independent pan-UK higher education sector representative body with expertise in academic standards and quality and the student experience. In England, they have two distinct roles: to support the OfS oversight of the maintenance of academic standards and quality as the Designated Quality Body in England (DQB) which is a separate arm of the QAA; and to provide services and advice to its member institutions across the UK HE sector, to facilitate best practice and enhancement. The UK Quality Code, Subject Benchmark Statements, and Characteristic Statements are resources frequently used by the University and the Sector in the design and delivery of academic programmes.
Warwick is a member of QAA. Further information about QAA can be found at: https://www.qaa.ac.uk//en/home.
S
- Self-Evaluation
The process through which departments and teams will critically assess their own strengths and weaknesses and identify areas for development in relation to the evaluation framework. As part of the ITLR, each department/cluster self-evaluation will be shared with their Review Panel at the outset of the review to inform the review meeting discussions. A template document will be provided.
- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis
An analytic framework that supports a holistic approach to strategy development. It helps to objectively identify a department’s / team’s strengths and weaknesses to inform opportunities for further development and to acknowledge threats to strategies for success. For the ITLR a template SWOT will be provided. The completed template will be shared with the Review Panel to inform its preparation for the review meetings and its assessments against the evaluation areas.
- Student Success Programme Board
This group brings together the leaders of professional services supporting education and students to inform and ensure they are aligned with the Education Strategy. Further information about the Board, including its membership, is available at: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/gov/committees/sspb/.
T
- Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF)
The TEF is a national scheme managed by the Office for Students and designed to assess excellence in teaching at higher education providers and assess how they ensure excellent outcomes for their students in terms of graduate level employment or further study. TEF assessments use a series of metrics and evidence criteria demonstrated through a provider submission. The first TEF exercise was completed in 2016, with a more detailed evaluation undertaken in 2018, for which the University was awarded a silver rating (from a gold, silver, bronze scale). Further information about TEF can be found at: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/teaching/about-the-tef/. You can read the University’s current TEF rating at: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/teaching/tef-outcomes/#/tefoutcomes/provider/10007163. A new submission and decision will be made in 2022/23.
- Teaching Excellence Group (TEG)
TEG is a university-led annual quality assurance process with academic departments designed to support continuous improvement of education and the student learning experience. TEG meetings will not take place in 2022/23 while we focus on ITLR.
U
- Undergraduate (UG)
Programmes leading to awards at levels 4, 5 or 6 – or level 7 in the case of Integrated Master’s – which aligns to the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). Further information is available in our Credit and Module Framework, available at: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/aro/dar/quality/categories/credit
- University Council
Warwick’s governing body comprising a mixture of lay, executive, staff and student members. Council has ultimate authority over and accountability for the University.
V
- Validated Provision
A programme usually designed, delivered and assessed by the external partner organisation but leads to an award from Warwick (validated by Warwick). Our quality assurance and governance arrangements ensure the same academic standards are upheld, but we are not directly involved in recruiting, teaching or supporting students. Warwick currently validates the higher education provision of three partners: University College Birmingham, the London Film School and iheed.