Academic Quality and Standards

The remit of the Academic Quality and Standards Unit is to operationalise the administrative procedures through which the University's academic rigour and excellence in teaching and learning are ensured. The main activities of the Unit include course approval, annual monitoring, periodic review of programmes, Boards of Examiners and the appointment of External Examiners. We support one main Committee of Academic Board - the Academic Standards Committee.

The Unit is staffed by the AQSU Interim Lead – Robert Herniman, also with responsibility for ASC's Scrutiny Group, Boards of Examiners and Quality Officer for Academic Departments formerly in SESS; Senior Administrators - Margaret Guise with responsibility for ASC and Quality Officer for Academic Departments formerly in BAH; Helen Bicknell, with responsibility for the AQSU webpage and for supporting students who wish to apply for mitigating circumstances; Chris Jannides (part time - maternity cover) with responsibility for External Examiners; and Nicki Vincent as a part-time Administrator. Currently (autumn 2011) the Team also includes Hanan El Kholy (part time, temporary contract), Senior Administrator with responsibility for AQSU projects, and Kerren Simmonds (part time) who has responsibility for Student complaints, Appeals and Academic Malpractice.

Our support for students also includes helping those who wish to Appeal against decisions of Boards of Examiners (reference Kerren Simmonds).