Guide to policies and procedures for teaching and learning

1.   Key strategies

1a Corporate Plan, Sector Strategies (including Learning and Teaching Strategy 2008-2013) and Mission Statement 
1b Learning and Teaching Enhancement Priorities
1c Learning and Teaching Strategy 2008-13 Implementation Plan

2.    Introduction to quality management process/structure in the University

2a Quality management and enhancement processes at the University of Reading (PDF - 223KB) (revised November 2010)
2b A who’s who in teaching and learning (PDF - 66KB) (revised September 2011)
2c Responsibilities of Faculty and School Directors of Teaching and Learning (PDF - 83KB)
2d Duties and responsibilities of Senior Tutors (PDF - 45KB) (revised September 2011)
2e School statements on teaching and learning policies and procedures (revised August 2011)
[At its meeting on 7 February 2011, UBTL agreed that Schools will no longer be required to produce revised Statements on Teaching and Learning Policies and Procedures each academic year. Schools will henceforth be required to include the Statements as part of the Self-Evaluation Document produced in the Periodic Review process.]

3.   Internal monitoring and review

3a Requirements for the periodic review of programmes (PDF - 463KB) (revised November 2011)
Form for the nomination of an external member of a periodic review panel (Word - 212KB)
Standard template for Periodic Review reports (Word - 192KB) (revised May 2011)
Standard Template for the Response to the Report of the Periodic Review (Word - 200KB) (New May 2011)
Standard template for Periodic Review 'one-year follow-up' reports (Word - 197KB) (revised May 2011)
3b Template and guidelines for annual reports on programmes (Word - 119KB) (revised October 2011)
3c Guidelines for the annual faculty QA reports from the faculty boards for teaching and learning (PDF - 172KB) (revised October 2011)
3d Peer review and observation of teaching (PDF - 200KB)
Peer observation of teaching - personal feedback form (Word - 64KB)
Joint Statement on Peer Observation of Teaching for School Records (Word - 55KB)

4.   Student representation, evaluation and complaints

4a Student representation on boards and committees 
(i) Notes of guidance for faculties (PDF - 95KB)
(ii) Notes of guidance for schools/departments (PDF - 87KB)
(iii) Notes of guidance for student representatives (PDF - 105KB)
4b Course Rep scheme (PDF - 47KB)
4c Guidelines on student evaluation (PDF - 420KB)
Sample templates (Word - 141KB)
Questions to assist in the design of module evaluation (Word - 113KB)
4d Student complaints procedure (PDF - 63KB) (revised July 2009)

5.   Programme Design and Development

5a  University credit and qualifications framework (PDF - 152KB) (revised August 2011)
5b Guidelines on the design of undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes (PDF - 163KB) (revised October 2010) **To be updated shortly**
5c Approval of a new programme (PDF - 940KB)
Form 1: Programme Approval Form (Word - 78.5KB)
Form 2: Curriculum Mapping Form (Word - 102KB)
Annex 2: Standard Template for the Report of a New Programme Scrutiny Panel (Word - 60KB)
Annex 3: Standard Template for Business Proposal (Word - 56.7KB)
5d Amendments to a programme (PDF - 256KB)
Form 3: Proposal for amendments to a programme (Word - 54.3KB)
5e Procedure for the withdrawal of an existing programme (PDF - 218KB)
Form 4: Proposal for Withdrawal of an Existing Programme (Word - 107KB)
5f University guidelines on undergraduate programme specifications and module descriptions (PDF - 242KB) (revised January 2012)
Undergraduate programme specification template (Word - 52KB) (revised February 2011)
Undergraduate module description template (Word - 82KB) (revised January 2012)
5g Notes and guidelines on taught postgraduate programme specifications and module descriptions (PDF - 201KB) (revised January 2012)
Taught postgraduate programme specification template (Word - 51KB) (revised May 2011)
Taught postgraduate module description template (Word - 74KB) (revised January 2012)
5h University databases of Programme Specifications and Module Descriptions

[NB Programme Directors wishing to offer one of the modules in the database as part of their programme should contact the relevant Module Provider to ascertain whether the particular module is open to students from outside the 'host' School.]

6.   Programme-related matters

6a Notes on undergraduate programme handbooks and undergraduate programme handbook template (PDF- 300KB) (revised May 2011)
6b Notes on taught postgraduate programme handbooks and taught postgraduate programme handbook template (PDF - 266KB) (revised May 2011)
6c Providing feedback on student performance (PDF - 409KB) (Updated November 2010)
Examples of feedback sheets (Word - 192KB)
6d Placement learning
(i) University code of practice on placement learning (PDF - 130KB) (revised June 2009)
(ii) Guidelines on the management of student disclosure of criminal convictions in the context of volunteering and placement learning (PDF - 121KB)
6e University policy on Assessment of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L) (PDF - 237KB)
Form for approval of individual applications for exemption or credit transfer (Word - 230KB)
6f Study at other institutions: postgraduate taught programmes (PDF - 66KB)
6g Programme changes during part 1 (PDF - 65KB)
6h Eligibility to act as examiners and supervisors (PDF - 65KB)
6i Policy on and procedures for the determination of 'fitness to practise' (PDF - 275KB)
6j Policy on the Audio and Visual Recording and Capture of Teaching Sessions by Students (PDF - 72KB) (new September 2011)

7.   Personal development

7a The personal tutorial system
7b Supporting student development
7c University policy on careers education, information and guidance (Word) (currently under review)
7d Career management skills module component (PDF - 100KB) (currently under review)
7e Statement of learner responsibilities (PDF - 75KB) (revised May 2011)

8.   Diversity and equality

8a University policy on equal opportunities and diversity
8b Students with disabilities: key principles for staff, students and applicants (PDF - 126KB)
8c Code of practice for supporting students relating to religion, belief and teaching and learning (PDF - 124KB)

9.   Research degrees

9a Code of Practice on Research Students (PDF - 295KB)
9b Procedures for appeals by postgraduate research students against confirmation of registration decisions(PDF - 144KB)
9c Guidance notes on interviewing students for research degree programmes (PDF - 80KB)
9d Research students' handbooks (PDF - 844KB)
9e Guidelines on the PhD by publication (PDF - 85KB)
9f Policy statement on the use of postgraduate teaching assistants or demonstrators (PDF - 92KB)
9g School (or Department) Directors of Postgraduate Research Studies: Generic job description for the post (PDF - 46 KB)
9h Guidance on research students' suspensions and extensions (PDF - 162KB)
9i Monitoring and assessing the progress of postgraduate research students
(i) Monitoring and assessing the progress of postgraduate research students: a guide for staff and students (PDF - 338KB)
(ii) Research student evaluation of supervisory arrangements - Standard form (Word - 57KB)
9j Admissions policy for postgraduate research degrees (PDF - 288KB)

10.  Staff development matters

10a University policy statement on staff development
10b Guidelines for the mentoring of new academic staff 
10c Staff Development Review and Job Chat

11.  Working with other institutions

11a Procedure for the review of collaborative programmes and the renewal of collaborative partnerships (PDF - 115KB) (New January 2009)
11b Request for a Memorandum of Understanding (PDF - 125KB) (New October 2011)
11c Provision of learning resources for students on collaborative programmes (New April 2010)
[N.B. Guidance in relation to the design of collaborative programmes will be included within Section 5b Guidelines on the design of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes shortly. If you require assistance in relation to the design of collaborative programmes, please contact the Quality Support Office]

12.  External assessment guidelines

12a The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education: An Introduction
12b QAA Institutional Review (England and Northern Ireland)
12c QAA Institutional Review of University of Reading 2008
(i) QAA Institutional audit: University of Reading, March 2008
(ii) Annex to Institutional audit: University of Reading, March 2008

13.  Examinations and assessment

Examinations and Assessment Handbook