This page outlines the processes, roles and responsibilities around the University’s periodic monitoring of the academic quality and standards of taught courses.
2.1 Overview
Periodic Course Review (PCR) is designed as the University’s mechanism for assuring the quality and standards of its taught courses.
It builds upon and follows the principles of the Annual Course Review (ACR) process to provide a more in-depth periodic review of courses to ensure academic standards are maintained and deliver positive outcomes for students.
The process is aligned to the Office for Students (OfS) B Conditions and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Quality Code to ensure regulatory compliance and best practice.
2.2 Scope
This process covers all undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses.
Degree Apprenticeships have a separate Monitoring process, see Related Regulations, Policies and Procedures for further details.
2.3 Selection criteria
Reviews will typically run on a cyclical basis, but provision is made to selet courses on a risk-based basis.
The (non-exhaustive) selection criteria for cyclical reviews are:
- That they occur on a 5-yearly cycle
- To ensure provision in each faculty is reviewed annually
- To review progress following significant curriculum change
The (non-exhaustive) selection criteria for risk-based reviews are:
- The late/non-submission of a Course Improvement Plan (CIP) required as part of the ACR process
- Where a CIP submitted as part of the ACR process is not approved
- Where there are consecutive years without meaningful progress on CIP, evidence through the ACR process
- Where there is strategic rationale, e.g. resource issues, redesigned curriculum, National Student Survey (NSS) priority area, Access and Participation Plan (APP) priority area
- To support a risk-based approach, based on priorities identified through regulatory bodies
2.4 Review criteria, timelines and responsibilities
Further details on the review criteria, periods of notice when selected for PCR and key responsibilities (including reporting expectations) can be found in the PCR process document in Related Regulations, policies and Procedures.
3.0 Related regulations, policies and procedures
4.0 Version control table
Version control table
| Version Number | Purpose/Change | Approving Committee | Date |
|---|
| 1.0 |
Reformatted to align with new 糖心原创 Policy Management Framework based on content last modified on 24/07/2024 |
QSC |
April 2025 |
| 2.0 |
Updated to reflect implementation of the new periodic monitoring process for undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes, launched 2025/2026 |
QSC |
November 2025 |
| 2.1 |
PPR Process Document updated to include PGT metrics used in APR |
QSC |
February 2026 |
|
2.2
|
Updated to reflect change in terminology from 'programme' to 'course', consolidate two formats of review (Regular and Comprehensive) into a standardised approach and upload updated version of the process document.
|
QSC
|
September 2026
|
|
2.3
|
PCR Process Document updated to reflect that the process is under review
|
QSC
|
October 2026
|