The University has responsibility for internal Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes and exercises responsibilities through its academic governance structure and policies. These processes are designed to meet the regulatory requirements of the Office for Students (OfS) and align with the expectations within the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) UK Quality Code for Higher Education 2024 as well as other national framework, benchmarks and statutory obligations.
The Quality and Standards team is situated within Registry Services and helps to support Faculty and Schools in fulfilling responsibilities outlined within both the St Mary's Quality Assurance and Enhancement Handbook and the broader national and international context.
Overall responsibility for Quality and Standards is vested in the Academic Board, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor. Strategic responsibility for Quality and Standards resides with the Provost and Chief Academic Officer.
The Academic Partnerships Committee reports to Academic Board and the Board of Governors. Operational management of Quality and Standards is the responsibility of the Deputy Academic Registrar (Quality and Standards), and the Academic Registrar, who are supported by the staff of the Quality and Standards team within Registry Services.
Reporting to the Academic Strategy and Student Experience Committee, there are three Faculty Quality, Curriculum and Student Experience Committees. Each operates to maintain operational oversight of quality assurance, curriculum management and student lifecycle processes in keeping with relevant strategies, policies, procedures, regulations and frameworks.
The Portfolio Development Committee will have delegated responsibility from Academic Board to approve the Portfolio Development (course approvals and revalidations) schedule: and to oversee all stages of the course approval process for the development and enhancements of new and existing courses.
A copy of the Quality Assurance and Enhancement handboook can be found here
For advice and support on any Quality Assurance matter, please contact the team by emailing qateam@stmarys.ac.uk