Course Assessment Policy

1. Purpose

To establish clear standards and procedures for assessing courses seeking accreditation, ensuring they meet our quality benchmarks and deliver meaningful learning outcomes.

2. Assessment Principles

✓ Validity: Assessments must measure stated learning objectives
✓ Reliability: Consistent evaluation across all courses
✓ Fairness: Transparent, unbiased assessment procedures
✓ Relevance: Alignment with industry/educational standards

3. Assessment Criteria

Courses are evaluated against:

✓ Learning outcomes and objectives
✓ Curriculum design and content
✓ Teaching methods and resources
✓ Assessment methods and rigor
✓ Student support systems
✓ Quality assurance processes
✓ Staff qualifications and experience

4. Assessment Process

Stage 1: Application Review

✓ Documentary evidence submitted
✓ Initial compliance check (5 working days)

Stage 2: Expert Evaluation

✓ Subject matter experts conduct detailed review
✓ May include site visits or virtual inspections
✓ Assessment against published benchmarks (15-20 working days)

Stage 3: Decision Making

✓ Review panel considers findings
✓ Accreditation granted/denied with clear rationale
✓ Feedback provided to institution (5 working days post-review)

5. Assessment Methods

✓ Document analysis
✓ Interviews with faculty/staff
✓ Student feedback review
✓ Learning resource evaluation
✓ Observation of teaching (where applicable)

6. Grading System

Courses receive one of four outcomes:

Full Accreditation (Meets all standards)
Provisional Accreditation (Minor improvements needed)
Deferred Decision (Substantial improvements required)
Non-Accreditation (Fails to meet standards)

7. Quality Assurance

✓ All assessors undergo training and calibration
✓ Random audits of assessment decisions
✓ Annual review of assessment criteria

8. Reassessment Cycle

✓ Full reassessment every 3 years
✓ Annual monitoring reports required
✓ Spot checks may be conducted

9. Appeals Process

Institutions may appeal assessment decisions within 20 working days, following our separate Appeals Policy.

10. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed biennially to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness.
Last updated: [20/06/2025]