Learning and Teaching Committee

Subject: QAA Special review of research degree programmes 2005-06 Loughborough University

Origin: EXTRACT FROM DRAFT REPORT MAY 2006

Preface

The funding councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have commissioned QAA to conduct a special review of research degree programmes (RDPs). The special review of RDPs is a one-off exercise. Once the special review has been completed, all further consideration of the quality of provision for RDPs will be part of the institutional audit process, which will be introduced in 2006-07.

The main purpose of the special review of RDP provision is to ensure that all institutions in receipt of funding from the funding councils for postgraduate RDPs have arrangements in place which are aligned with the expectations of the Code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and management in higher education (the Code of practice), Section 1: postgraduate research degree programmes.

The review method adopts a desk-based approach, which involves the evaluation by reviewers of an institution's response to a questionnaire about how the institution has aligned its polices and procedures with the revised Code of practice, Section 1: postgraduate research programmes.

The main outcome of the review is a threshold judgement about the institution's management of the quality and standards of its RDP provision.

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Judgement

From their examination of the institution's response to the survey and the supporting evidence, the review team formed the view that overall the institution's ability to secure and enhance the quality and standards of its research degree programme provision was appropriate and satisfactory.

The institution may wish to consider:

· introducing mechanisms for effective review of RDPs;

· consider centralised monitoring of progress records, and to consider specifying the minimum number of supervisory meetings per annum.

· reviewing student representation at institutional leve!.

Good practice

The review team noted the following good practice:

· the centralisation of admissions policies and practices to ensure fairness, equal opportunities and consistency through the use of Codes of Practice and Guides.