University of Tasmania, Australia

A robust quality assurance system is integral to the maintenance of the quality of the University's courses. Unit and course quality is a continuous process, incorporating regular monitoring, review, benchmarking and improvement of the University's courses. The aims of this process are to:

1. Improve course quality by enhancing the University's use of unit and course performance data;
2. Assist the University in its academic reprofiling and teaching performance expectations;
3. Ensure that the University has a process in place to meet Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) requirements by January, 2015;
4. Assist with accreditation requirements;
5. Monitor and review units, majors and courses to identify areas of risk; areas of strategic importance; concerns about performance as well as identification of good practice. A cyclic review becomes due only when there is explicit justification identified in the unit and course reports (see Reviews Policy).

In consultation with all schools, online PDF reports were trialled at the end of Semester 2, 2012. Following the feedback and testing last year, the 2013 reports are in transition from the online PDF system to a new electronic form (eForm) format. This is a continuing process, and we will be seeking more feedback from Schools as the new system comes online.

For more information on UTAS Unit and Course Reports click here [PDF]

SERRU staff will be seeking meetings with all Schools in September 2013 to update our progress on the developing Unit and Course Report database, and discuss AQF compliance for UTAS following the AQF Implementation Workshop to be held Wednesday 28 August 2013 at the AMC, Newnham. Please see the AQF August newsletter for more details about the workshop.

Unit Reports

In future, the online unit reports will be prepopulated with eVALUate unit data to assist unit coordinators in identifying areas of strength and areas of concern. The reports will be available all semester and can be updated and resubmitted.

The reporting of units every semester, is currently under consideration with the University Learning & Teaching Committee. We will update the progress of this proposal as it proceeds.

Course/Major Reports

The Course/Major Reports are based on a set of performance data at the course level and linked to the Learning and Teaching Dashboard. These reports are to be submitted annually by 31 March. The indicators currently used to assess the performance of each course/major include:

• Student load
• Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) data
• Retention

The Course/Major Reports also include an Annual Statement of Curriculum Philosophy; mapping of course/major level outcomes; student learning progression; and graduate employment outcomes. Feedback from other sources is encouraged, including external advisory committees and accrediting bodies. 

A significant process that all courses must undertake before January 2015 is compliance with the revised AQF requirements. The AQF Second Edition January 2013 provides a complete set of AQF policies and objectives and information about the monitoring arrangement for AQF. All courses need to demonstrate:

• The learning outcomes for each AQF level and qualification type
• The specifications for accreditation and development of qualifications
• Student pathways
• Addition or removal of qualification types (See http://www.aqf.edu.au)

To download the current draft Word version click here
 

Senior Executive Sponsorship

Senior Executive sponsorship of the unit and course/major reporting and review process rests with the Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Students and Education).