University Academic Quality Committee

The University Academic Quality Committee (AQC) is a sub-committee of the University Education Committee.

Purpose

The purpose of the Committee is to:

a) Oversee the framework for the quality and standards of education and transnational provision (undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research postgraduate programmes) and the student academic experience at the University;

b) Oversee and ensure appropriate action is taken in response to identified quality matters at the relevant level (institution, faculty, school, programme), particularly where there is evidence of risk to quality and standards;

c) Promote and share good practice and innovation arising form implementation of the Quality Framework;

d) Ensure the institution is meeting the B conditions of registration ('Quality, reliable standards and positive outcomes for all students') as set out by the Office for Students;

e) Take learnings from sector good practice, as identified by external quality assurance bodies, such as the Office for Students, the Quality Assurance Agency, Advance HE and Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies;

f) Provide academic scrutiny of proposals for new and renewing educational collaborative partnerships;

g) Be responsible for the maintenance of education regulations, policies and codes of practice

Terms of reference

The Committee has delegated authority from University Education Committee (UEC) for decision-making on the matters within its remit, except where:

• the Committee believes that a decision would benefit from a broader discussion at UEC (in which case it will provide a summary of the matter with a recommendation);

• a decision is required that has significant implications to the University’s education provision and/or the student academic experience;

• otherwise stated in a specific term of reference.

Oversight of the Quality Framework

1. To govern and oversee the effectiveness of the University’s Quality Framework for assuring and enhancing educational provision at the University, taking account of both the internal and external context, ensuring that it takes proper account of the views of students, external examiners, external quality bodies and members of staff.

2. To ensure that the individual components are integrated and combined to form a cohesive Framework.

3. To set the agenda for review and identify specific priorities and themes to be reviewed by the University Quality Team on an annual basis, in liaison with the University PGR Committee for those relevant to research postgraduate programmes and students.

Operation of and outcomes arising from the Quality Framework

4. To review the (individual and summary) outcomes from the University’s quality framework, ensuring that the quality and standards of education provision and the student learning experience are being upheld and relevant concerns or imperatives are being satisfactorily addressed by:

i. Identifying any institutional-level quality matters and ensuring that these are resolved;

ii. Being assured that appropriate action is taken in response to identified issues or concerns by faculties, schools and programmes; and requiring timely action where a significant risk to quality and standards is identified.

5. To oversee the development of the annual report to the Board of Trustees on quality and standards.

6. To respond to any issues identified from a review of institutional level data and information on key quality measures, which includes scrutiny of degree classification ratios.

7. To receive and consider oversight reports from examination boards (the Research Degrees Examination Board and taught Examination Boards) so as to be assured of the quality of the awards being made by the University and, for taught degrees, to contribute to the scrutiny of degree classification ratios.

8. To oversee the implementation and effectiveness of teaching-out plans for programmes that are being withdrawn.

External quality assurance bodies and requirements

9. To manage preparations for institution-level quality reviews (e.g. by the QAA) and on specified conditions for the University’s ongoing registration as a provider with the Office for Students.

10. To ensure alignment between the University’s requirements for quality and standards and all relevant external reference points, including the UK Quality Code.

11. To respond to external imperatives and relevant consultations as they relate to the quality and standards of education provision.

12. To oversee the outcomes of the cycle of accreditation by Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies.

Approval of programmes and partnerships

13. To scrutinise proposals and make recommendations for approval to University Education Committee for establishing new and renewing educational collaborative partnerships, and to oversee existing partnerships.

Regulatory framework

14. To develop discrete education regulations or policies where a substantial issue relating to academic standards has been raised and/or there is a significant risk of non-compliance (note: currently delegated to Codes Executive Group).

15. To scrutinise and endorse new and significant revisions to education regulations, codes of practice, and policies that govern the University’s academic provision and the student academic experience.

Academic integrity

16. To oversee the implementation, development and maintenance of a developmental approach to academic integrity at the University, including dealing with allegations of academic misconduct.

17. To monitor institutional level data and information regarding academic misconduct across the University and intervene where appropriate.

Identify issues and good practice

18. To highlight, report and refer any arising issues and areas of good practice with regards to academic standards and, more widely, learning, teaching and assessment.

Membership

The membership of the Committee for 2025-26 is as follows:

Job title	Name
Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education Quality and Standards) (Chair)	Professor Kate Whittington
Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (PGR) or nominee	TBC
Academic Director (Teaching Excellence) - Arts, Law and Social Sciences	Professor Steven Proud
Academic Director (Teaching Excellence) - Health and Life Sciences	Professor Sheena Warman
Academic Director (Teaching Excellence) - Science and Engineering	Dr Chris Russell
Deputy Director of Academic Quality and Policy	Mike White
A Head of Faculty Education and Student Success	Siobhan Pegler
Bristol SU UG Education Officer	Mia Stevens
Bristol SU PG Education Officer	Sharan Khemlani
Student Quality Reviewer	Sophie Osbourne (TB1)

If the Chair is unable to attend a committee meeting, they may identify a suitably qualified alternative to chair on their behalf.

Other members who are unable to attend a committee meeting may send a suitably qualified nominee (at the discretion of the Chair). Nominees shall count towards the quorum as though they were the member of the Committee by whom they were nominated and, subject to the agreement of the Chair, shall be entitle to vote.

Quorum

The Chair (or nominee) and at least three other staff members of the committee to include two Academic Directors (Teaching Excellence) (or nominees).

Voting

Only committee members have the right to vote at committee meetings. Attendees who are not members of the committee may speak at meetings to provide guidance, advice and opinion to the committee but shall not be entitled to a vote. 

Voting on any issue will be by a show of hands and decisions are taken by a simple majority. 

The Chair may vote and has the right to exercise a casting vote if a vote is tied.

Decision-making between meetings  

Where decisions are required between meetings of the committee (due to the urgency of the matter and for the good of the University), the Chair is authorised to make decisions on behalf of the committee (i.e. use ‘Chair’s action’).  

If the Chair feels it is appropriate, business may also be conducted electronically via email with the committee between meetings (i.e. by correspondence).    

A decision made by Chair’s action or by correspondence shall be valid as though taken at a meeting of the committee.  

Any such decisions will be reported to the next meeting of the committee. 

Established subgroups and related networks

Mode of Operation

1. The Committee will normally meet seven times a year.

2. The Committee will normally report to University Education Committee following each meeting.

3. The Committee’s annual schedule of business will be identified at the start of each academic year. Additional items of work are subject to annual negotiation with the Chair of the University Education Committee.

Meeting dates

University Academic Quality and Standards Committee reports to University Education Committee so the meetings are scheduled to enable this.

**University Academic Quality Committee reporting schedule 2025-26**
Paper deadlines	Meeting dates	Reports to University Education Committee (UEC date)
Wednesday 27 August 2025	Thursday 4 September 2025	Wednesday 24 September 2025
Tuesday 21 October 2025	Thursday 30 October 2025	Wednesday 3 December 2025
Tuesday 25 November 2025	Thursday 4 December 2025	Wednesday 21 January 2026
Tuesday 20 January 2026	Thursday 29 January 2026	Wednesday 4 March 2026
Tuesday 10 March 2026	Thursday 19 March 2026	Wednesday 15 April 2026
Tuesday 14 April 2026	Thursday 23 April 2026	Wednesday 13 May 2026
Tuesday 12 May 2026	Thursday 21 May 2026	Wednesday 10 June 2026

Record of business

Summary reports from University Academic Committee are available for download (UoB only).