The University is committed to the continual enhancement of the quality of its provision. Colleges and Schools work within a framework of systems and policies for assuring academic quality and standards, supported by a central Academic Quality Unit.
Birmingham Integrated Quality Assurance and Enhancement System (BIQAES)
BIQAES is a set of review processes which the University has put in place to monitor, review and enhance academic standards, the quality of its learning, teaching and assessment, and the academic support given to students.
External examiner system
Feedback from external examiners forms a vital part of the University's quality assurance processes for taught programmes. External examiner recommendations are reported to quality assurance and enhancement committees both at University and College level.
Student representation system
The student representation system is founded on the belief that through effective representation students become partners in their education, allowing them a more active involvement in, and ownership of, their learning. Elected Student Representatives from every subject area, undergraduate and postgraduate, are given responsibility for reporting on student issues within their subject to University staff and to the Guild of Students.
Programme approval process
All proposed programmes of study go through a rigorous two-stage approval process. During the first stage, the plan for the programme is considered at College and University level. The second stage of the process is the preparation of a much more detailed Programme Proposal which will include evidence of market research, external comments and a skills audit. Schools and Colleges are involved throughout the process, and are supported by a dedicated Curriculum Development Unit.
Educational enhancement
Educational enhancement is central to the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy. The University supports mechanisms for the collaboration and sharing of information on pedagogic development and good practice in teaching, learning and assessment across the institution. Current areas of focus include the promotion and development of research-informed teaching and enquiry-based learning. The University also looks to develop an effective relationship between teaching and learning related Quality Assurance activity (including audit) and Quality Enhancement and development.