• Section 1 - Introduction
• Section 2 - Purpose
• Section 3 - Scope
• Section 4 - Audience
• Section 5 - Definitions
• Section 6 - Principles
• Section 7 - Program and Course Quality Assurance
• Program and Course Quality Assurance Framework (the Framework)
• Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Section 1 - Introduction

(1) The University aims to provide students with an outstanding and inspiring student experience. This Policy describes the principles that underpin the University's framework for assuring educational quality and demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement in academic and learning outcomes.

(2) This is within the context of the University's statutory obligations under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011, the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 and regulatory instruments associated with these Acts, the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), the University of Newcastle Act, and the University's strategic priorities.

(3) This policy supports the University's Program and Course Quality Assurance Framework. Its supporting resources are available on the Teaching & Research – Program and Course Management Website.

(4) From 2022 the University has adopted a risk management approach to quality assure its educational products. This approach is described in the Education Quality Assurance Policy and the Program and Course Quality Assessment Framework.

Section 2 - Purpose

(5) To provide a whole-of-institution approach to managing the quality assurance of programs and courses through systematic monitoring and continuous improvement activities.

Section 3 - Scope

(6) The Policy applies to all aspects of education including curriculum design for programs and courses, learning, teaching and assessment in coursework programs, and associated partnerships that contribute to the student academic experience.

(7) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Vice President has overarching responsibility for the quality assurance and regulatory requirements relating to the educational activities conducted by the University.

Section 4 - Audience

(8) Staff of the University with a responsibility for academic governance, curriculum management, compliance, risk management and reporting.

Section 5 - Definitions

(9) In the context of this document:

Section 6 - Principles

(10) The University's education quality assurance principles are:

1. education quality assurance processes to support the University's strategic commitments and legislative requirements:
   1. establishing the criteria and standards against which judgments about education quality are made will contribute to a shared understanding about quality standards and their attainment;
   2. aligning education quality assurance processes with the University strategy will assist in the achievement of University's goals and the monitoring of progress; and
   3. as a self-accrediting organisation, the University must comply with all elements of the Higher Education Threshold Standards Framework (HESF) and the qualifications we offer must align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
2. staff, students, and stakeholders will be involved as partners in enhancing and assuring education quality:
   1. the University values its staff, students, alumni, and industry and professional bodies as partners in the education quality assurance process; and
   2. this partnership approach ensures that decisions about quality are informed by the people who are the closest to it. It also supports the development of a culture of continuous improvement, with everyone focused on a common goal.
3. processes and practices will be systematic, sustainable, and transparent:
   1. the University's Program and Course Quality Assurance Framework (Framework) including a four-stage quality cycle of Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA) to drive the process for self-review, reflection, and improvement; and
   2. central to the Framework is the education quality cycle which supports the systematic collection and use of qualitative information and quantitative data to monitor impact, identify improvement opportunities, and determine the effectiveness of quality enhancement actions.
4. roles and accountabilities for implementation of the Framework will be assigned and clearly communicated to assist in developing a culture of continuous improvement.
5. decision-making will be evidence-based and externally referenced:
   1. judgements about performance and decisions about improvements will be informed by data and formal feedback collected from a range of internal and external sources; and
   2. internal sources of information may include, but is not limited to, survey findings, assessment grades, Student Survey results, program and course review reports. External sources of information may include, but is not limited to Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) data, registration or accreditation reviews, and benchmarking.
6. findings will be used to identify future improvements:
   1. findings from quality assurance processes will be used to identify changes that need to be made to improve education quality. Once implemented, these changes will be assessed to ensure they deliver the desired outcomes. The improvement phase of the process supports evidence-based decision making and transparency. It is central to the culture of continuous quality improvement; and
   2. responsibilities for making and monitoring improvements will be clearly identified in “Response and Action Plans”; and
7. Outcomes from quality assurance processes will be disseminated:
   1. the outcomes of education quality assurance processes will be communicated to students, staff and other stakeholders to close the loop and support engagement; and 
   2. dissemination channels may include formal reporting channels, quality action plans, targeted communications, feedback via committees, and the student learning system (LMS).

Section 7 - Program and Course Quality Assurance

Program and Course Quality Assurance Framework (the Framework)

(11) The Framework will ensure the University's education programs and courses are:

1. aligned with the Strategic Plan, and meet statutory quality standards and professional accreditation requirements, where applicable; 
2. implemented in a consistent manner and undergo continuous improvement;
3. evaluated through annual quality assurance activities at program and course level; and
4. benchmarked across Schools and Colleges, as well as the sector, identifying areas of institutional best practice and opportunities for improvement.

Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

(12) The Course Co-ordinator is responsible for quality assurance in the delivery and management of a course, under the guidance from the relevant Head of School. 

(13) The Head of School is accountable for quality assurance of courses delivered by the School.

(14) The Program Convenor is responsible for the quality assurance of a program offered by a College, under the guidance of Assistant Dean (Education).

(15) The Assistant Dean (Education) is responsible for oversight of curriculum management quality assurance activities within their College.

(16) The Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) (College) is responsible for adoption and implementation of all curriculum management quality assurance activities across their College.

(17) The Pro Vice-Chancellor Education Innovation is accountable for implementation of this policy and the PCQA Framework.

(18) The Director, Strategy Planning and Performance is responsible for data management of the University curriculum, programs and courses.

(19) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Vice President is responsible for strategic curriculum management as described in this Policy (Section 3 – Scope).

(20) Academic Senate and its committees are responsible for:

1. approval and maintenance of the Programs and Courses Quality Assurance Framework; and
2. monitoring compliance with the Higher Education Support Act and academic governance.

(21) The University Risk Committee are responsible for audit compliance purposes.