QAEC Terms of Reference 2020/21

The Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee is a sub-committee of Senate. Its purpose is to take the lead in the development and evaluation of St George’s quality assurance processes. Drawing on its role in quality assurance, the Committee develops and promotes enhancement activities and processes for identifying and disseminating good practice across St George’s, University of London. 

The Committee will, as appropriate, establish groups and authorise individuals to carry out work (including data collection and analysis; and compliance with consumer law) to meet St George’s regulatory obligations to assure standards and enhance the student experience. 

QAEC will: 

1. Approve, monitor and evaluate the Quality Manual and quality assurance policies, procedures and strategies. This includes a responsibility for:

   1. elements of the Manual that relate to programmes delivered in partnership with UK and international providers;
   2. policies, procedures and strategies in relation to learning, teaching and assessment that underpin the Education Strategy;
   3. ensuring that policies, procedures and strategies reflect national and international developments and expectations.

2. Request information, advise and receive reports as required from other committees within the University Committee structure and in accordance with reporting lines, as well as annual and periodic reports on key areas of quality assurance and enhancement including annual monitoring, validation and review, external examining and PSRB and accreditation visits and reports and NHS monitoring.

3. In relation to the development of new provision:

   1. Provide early academic review of initial programme proposals.
   2. Scrutinise draft documentation for Validation Panels and provide constructive feedback to programme teams.
   3. Support the development of collaborative educational ventures in the UK and internationally including educational partnerships with NHS and other healthcare providers.
   4. Collaborate with partners to consider implications and opportunities for the development and quality of educational provision at St George’s.
   5. Consider proposed modifications to provision, referred to QAEC by monitoring committees.

4. Oversee and advise on quality matters in relation to the University’s registration with, and regulation by, the Office for Students, including consumer law obligations and the expectations of the Consumer and Markets Authority, as well as contributing to preparations for, and monitoring actions arising from, QAA reviews.

5. Review its activity to ensure that it is fit for purpose and is supporting the objectives of the Education Strategy. 

6. To fulfil its role in providing oversight and direction to University-wide enhancement priorities and activities:

   1. Establish groups and authorise individuals to carry out work to enhance quality and the student learning experience, allowing for more in-depth discussions to take place than can be facilitated through its regular meetings. These may take the form of Task and Finish Groups or Internal Quality Audits, which aim to deliver rapid improvements to the student experience and to strengthen elements of St George’s quality assurance framework
   2. Convene deep-dive meetings that allow the Committee to focus on particular themes to support it in identifying enhancement priorities.
   3. Consider enhancement opportunities referred to it for comment by individuals or other groups and committees. Examples could include recommendations suggested by the Data Improvement Group.
   4. Oversee initiatives and schemes which promote quality and excellence in learning and teaching and assessment, including associated staff development initiatives.
   5. Develop strategies for enhancement, based on the outcomes of any activity completed in relation to points a,b,c and d above.