Academic Standards and Quality

Role of the department in periodic reviews

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In addition to participating in completing Stage 1 of the periodic review, and producing the documentation for the periodic review, the department are consulted over nomination for panel members, and in their briefing.  Representatives from the department meet with the panel during the Stage 2 event.

Departments might find it useful to refer to the guidance provided to panel members, including details of the areas covered during a review when preparing for the event and producing documentation.

External subject expert

The department will be asked to recommend external subject experts who meet the criteria to the Chair of the review.  Information on the role of the external will be provided in advance of the event and with the documentation when it is circulated by ASPO.

Student representation

The department will be asked to recommend a student to join the panel, and to organise students to meet the panel during the periodic review event.  The department should brief the student panel members and the students meeting the panel during the Stage 2 event on the purpose and format of periodic reviews, and on their roles.

The department will be prompted to identify a selection of students to meet the panel by the representative from ASPO. The panel normally sees 6-12 students, representing a cross section of the provision under review (i.e. for undergraduate reviews at least one student from each course and a mixture of first, second and final year students; for postgraduate reviews a cross section of students from both taught and research provision representing the full range of courses and stages of completion).

Departmental team meeting the panel

The departmental team should normally consist of:

• Head of Department principally concerned.
• Up to six  members of staff involved in the delivery of the course(s) under review (normally teaching staff members and the Departmental Administrator).
• A member of staff from the partner department in the case of a joint course.

The role of the departmental team at the Stage 2 meeting is to:

• help the panel understand the periodic review documentation and to gain a greater insight into the departmental ethos and approach to learning, teaching and assessment.
• seek to be open and honest about both the weaknesses and the strengths of the course(s) under review and be prepared to engage in constructive discussions with the periodic review panel.

Page last updated: 22 April 2013