Guide to Policies and Procedures for Teaching and Learning

For the purposes of the processes described in the following documents, references to 'Ordinances' should be taken to mean 'Governing Regulations' and references to 'Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning)' should be taken to mean 'Teaching and Learning Dean' for the 2015-16 academic session.

The University of Reading Malaysia Campus is governed by the policies and processes of the University of Reading. The UoRM QA Manual (2l) sets out these policies, identifies operational adjustments to the local context, directs staff to appropriate sources of guidance and provides quick links to the key policy and guidance documents set out on this webpage.

To contact a member of Staff or Department within the Quality Assurance Team:

To find details of all members of the Quality Assurance Team:

• CQSD Quality Assurance teams

To contact the Programme Specifications team, please email:

• Rosie Pursey: r.l.k.pursey@reading.ac.uk

• Andrew Carlton: a.j.a.carlton@reading.ac.uk

• Melissa Brunt: m.j.brunt@reading.ac.uk 

To contact the Module Publishing team, please email:

• cqsdmodulepublishing@reading.ac.uk

To contact the Module Evaluations team, please email:

• module.evaluation@reading.ac.uk

List of Policies and Procedures for Teaching and Learning:

1. Key strategies

• 1a University Strategy
• 1b Student Charter
• 1c Curriculum Framework (revised July 2021)

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

• 2a Enhancement-led quality assurance processes at the University of Reading (for 2021/22 Academic year)
  • Board of Studies and Student Experience: Agenda Template and Guidance
  • Board of Studies and Student Experience: Minute Template (Word)
• 2b Details of key Teaching and Learning staff can be found on the Teaching and Learning at Reading webpages and under the Communities and networks webpage(revised October 2021)
• 2c Role and Responsibilities of Teaching and Learning Deans (updated September 2020)
• 2d Role of Academic Director for Teaching and Learning:
  • ADTL, University of Reading Malaysia
  • ADTL, NUIST-Reading Academy
• 2e Programme Director Role Description
• 2f Module Convenor Role Description
• 2g Duties and responsibilities of Programme Directors and Programme Leads for Branch Campuses (new February 2015)
• 2h Duties and responsibilities of Module Convenors and Module Leads for Branch Campuses (new February 2015)
• 2i UoRM QA Handbook
• 2j Protocols For Programmes Comprising a Foundation Year or International Foundation Year (Part 0) (updated February 2022)
• 2k Guidance on the organisation, design and delivery of Combined Programmes and shared modules

3. Internal monitoring, review and enhancement

• 3a Monitoring of undergraduate, taught postgraduate and postgraduate research programmes
• 3b School Teaching Enhancement Action Plan Guidance
  • School Teaching Enhancement Action Plan Template
• 3c Portfolio Management Process
• 3d Periodic Evaluation and Enhancement Review
• 3e Partnership Annual review Form
  • partner-programme-sub-report
• 3f Reflecting on practice with colleagues  
  • Guidance on reflecting on practice with colleagues  
  • Appendix 1: Teaching conversation pro-forma (Word version)  
  • Appendix 2: Direct observation of teaching pro-forma (Word version) 
  • Appendix 3: Sample questions to prompt dialogue/reflection (Word version)  
  [Please note that the Reflecting on practice with colleagues policy and associated guidance replace the Peer review of learning and teaching policy and guidance from the 2021-22 academic session.]

4. Student representation, evaluation and complaints



• 4a Student Representation (revised September 2020.)
  Student-Staff Partnership Groups - Guidance for staff and students (new September 2020)
  SSP Groups - List of suggested topics for discussion (new September 2020)

• 4b Student Evaluation Policy

• 4c Student Complaints Procedure
  Complaint Form Stage 2

• 4h Procedures for managing unacceptable behaviour when dealing with student complaints and appeals of results (Revised January 2017)

• 4i Guidance note on seeking approval to run a student survey 
  New survey request form

5. Programme Design and Development



• 5a University credit and qualifications framework (revised April 2015)

• 5b Guidelines on the structure of undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes (revised July 2023)

• Generic Programme Learning Outcomes (new September 2019)

• 5c Programme Lifecycle Policies - Approval of a New Programme (revised 2023)
  Strategic Alignment and Feasibility Evaluation form (Docx-1.8MB)
  Form A: Approval of a New Programme (Docx-750KB)
  Form A: Guidance Notes (PDF-141KB)
  Curriculum Mapping Form (revised August 2018)
  Annex 1: Job description and selection criteria for student member of a new programme scrutiny panel (new December 2014)
  Annex 2: Nomination form for a student member of a new programme scrutiny panel (new December 2014)
  Annex 3: Suggested standard questions to guide Scrutiny Panel members
  Annex 4: Student Membership of Scrutiny Panels: Good Practice and Guidance for Chairs and Secretaries
  Annex 5: Standard Template for the Report of a New Programme Scrutiny Panel (revised August 2013)
  Annex 6: Standard Template for Business Proposal (revised July 2015)
  Annex 7: Guidance for the Partnership Visit
  Annex 8: Working with Partners - Operational Details
  Annex 9: Apprenticeship Client Contract Requirement Form (Docx-740KB)
  Annex 10: Apprenticeship Client Contract Renewal or Variation Form (Docx-740KB)

• 5d Amendments to Programmes (part of the Programme Lifecycle Policies) (revised 2023)
  Form B: (Major) Amendments to Programmes (Docx-1.2MB)
  Form B: Guidance Notes (PDF-141KB)
  Form C: (Minor) Amendments (Docx-862KB)

• 5e Withdrawal and Suspension of Programmes (part of the Programme Lifecycle Policies) (revised 2023)
  Form D: Withdrawal of a Programme (Docx-826KB)
  Form D: Guidance Notes (PDF-127KB)

• 5f University guidelines on undergraduate programme specifications (revised March 2013)
  Undergraduate programme specification template (revised January 2013)

• 2024/25 onwards
  University guidelines on undergraduate programme specifications (2024/25 onwards)
  Undergraduate programme specification template (2024/25 onwards) 

• 5g University guidelines on taught postgraduate programme specifications (revised March 2013)
  Taught postgraduate programme specification template (revised January 2013)

• 2024/25 onwards
  University guidelines on taught postgraduate programme specifications (2024/25 onwards)
  Taught postgraduate programme specification template (2024/25 onwards) 

• 5h University guidelines on module descriptions (revised November 2020)
  Module description template (revised November 2020)
  New Module Setup Request Form (revised November 2020)

• 2024/25 onwards
  University guidelines on module descriptions (2024/25 onwards)
  Module description template (2024/25 onwards)

• 5i 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.]

• 5j Approval and monitoring of Short Online Courses (PDF) (revised May 2023)
  Short Online Course Business Case Template (Annex 2) (Word document) (revised May 2023)
  Short Online Course Evaluation Report Template (Annex 3) (Word document) (revised May 2023)

• 5k Guidance on content warnings on course content ('trigger' warnings)

• 5l Education for Sustainable Development - Vision Statement

6. Programme-related matters



• 6a Programme Handbook Guidance and Template 2023 2024 revised August 2023
• 6b Programme Handbook Template 2023 2024 revised August 2023
• 6c Policy on providing feedback to students on their performance (revised September 2021)
  • Examples of feedback sheets (revised September 2014)
• 6d Placement learning
  (i) University code of practice on placement learning (revised August 2012)
  (ii) Guidelines on the management of student disclosure of criminal convictions in the context of volunteering and placement learning (revised August 2013)
  (iii) University Statement on Unpaid Student Placements and Internships (new January 2015)
• 6e Policy and procedure for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) (effective for entry in Autumn Term 2017 onwards)
• Recommendation for RPL form (effective for entry in Autumn Term 2017 onwards)
• Recommendation for RPEL form effective for entry in Autumn Term 2017 onwards)
• 6g Policy and procedures on students changing degree programme and optional modules
  (i) Guidance for Programme Directors and School Directors of Teaching and Learning for students requesting a late change of optional modules
• 6h Eligibility to act as examiners and supervisors (revised August 2013)
• 6i Policy on and procedures for the determination of 'fitness to practise'
• 6j Recording of Teaching and Learning Activities (Learning Capture)
  (i) Policy for the Recording of Teaching and Learning Activities (Learning Capture)
  (ii) Student Policy for the Recording of Teaching and Learning Activities 
  (iii) Policy on the Captioning and Transcription of Recorded Sessions (PDF-197KB)
• 6k Policy on and Procedures Relating to Exceptional Circumstances (PDF-471KB) (effective from 2021/22)
  • Policy on and Procedures Relating to Exceptional Circumstances for Post-Experience Programmes in Henley Business School (effective from January 2022)
• 6l Penalties for late submission (excluding Postgraduate Flexible programmes) (updated September 2021)
• 6m Policy on and procedures for suspensions
• 6n Policy on and procedures relating to student academic engagement and fitness to study (updated January 2021)
  • SCAEFS meeting procedures
• 6o Policy on and procedures for students returning to or repeating study (new for the 2012-13 Academic Session, revised December 2012)
• 6p Guidance note on teaching during the working week
• 6q Policy on and procedures for students returning from illness to the University of Reading Malaysia (new February 2015)
• 6r Students with Parental Responsibilities Policy (revised June 2018)
• 6s Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes (new for 2015-16)
• 6t Policy on and procedures relating to international students at the University of Reading Malaysia (new for 2015-16)
• 6u Eligibility criteria for outgoing student mobility (new for 2015-16)
• 6v Study Abroad Mobility Guidelines Outward mobility from the UK to Malaysia 2018/19
• 6w Guidelines for Student Mobility to UK campus from UoRM campus 2018/19
• 6x Academic Approval and Recognition of Outgoing Student Mobility (PDF-100KB)
• 6z Attendance Management and Engagement Policy (PDF-334KB)

7. Personal development



• 7a Supporting student development 
• 7b Policy on employability, work-related learning and careers (replacing the Careers, Education, Information Advice and Guidance Policy and Policy on Career Learning: Embedding Employability) (effective from November 2022)
• 7c See 7b above (previously the Policy on Career Learning: Embedding Employability)
• 7d Statement of learner responsibilities (revised May 2014)
• 7e Academic Tutor System Policy including appendices
• 7f Academic Tutor System Policy minus appendices
• 7g Academic Tutor System Policy Appendix 1 Role of the Academic Tutor
• 7h Academic Tutor System Policy Appendix 2 Sample Agenda Templates for Academic Tutor/Tutee meetings
• 7i Academic Tutor System Policy Appendix 3 Selection and Appointment Process for School Directors of Academic Tutoring (SDATs)
• 7j Academic Tutor System Policy Appendix 4 Role and Responsibilities of School Directors of Academic Tutoring (SDATs)
• 7k Policy statement on non-contributory modules and guest attendance (updated November 2020)
• 7l Education for Sustainable Development - Vision Statement

8. Diversity and equality

• 8a University policies on equality and diversity

• 8b Students with disabilities: key principles for staff, students and applicants (revised November 2017) (PDF document)

• 8b Students with disabilities: key principles for staff, students and applicants (revised November 2017) (Word document)

• 8c Code of practice for supporting students relating to religion, belief and teaching and learning

• 8d Policy on Inclusive Practice in Teaching and Learning (Word document) (effective January 2018)

• Policy on Inclusive Practice in Teaching and Learning (PDF document) (effective January 2018)

9. Research degrees



• 9a Code of Practice on Research Students (revised October 2019)

• 9b Monitoring and assessing the progress of doctoral researchers: Good Practice Guide

• 9c Procedures for appeals by postgraduate research students against confirmation of registration decisions

• 9d Research student evaluation of supervisory arrangements - Standard form

• 9e Policy on and procedures relating to PhD and MPhil student academic engagement and fitness to study

• 9f Guidance on research students' suspensions and extensions

• 9g Admissions policy for postgraduate research degrees

• 9h Guidance notes on interviewing students for research degree programmes

• 9i Policy statement on the use of postgraduate teaching assistants or demonstrators

• 9j School (or Department) Directors of Postgraduate Research Studies: Generic job description for the post

• 9k Postgraduate Research Programmes: Collaborative arrangements framework

• 9l Higher Doctorates (DLitt, DSc, LLD)

10. Staff development matters

• 10a Guidelines for the mentoring of new academic staff

• 10b Performance and Development Review

• 10c University Policy Statement on Staff Development

11. Working with other institutions



• 11 Policy for the Quality Assurance of Partnership Programmes and Working with Other Institutions (November 2021)

• 11a Typology for Academic Partnerships

• 11b Procedure for partner programme review (revised September 2019)

• 11c Self-evaluation and business planning for the review of partnerships programmes (revised September 2019)

• 11d Guidelines on the provision of information and IT learning resources for students on partnership programmes (revised September 2019)

• 11e MoU request form v10               

• 11f  Request for a Fee Reduction (revised February 2019)

• 11g Partnership Annual review Form

• partner-programme-sub-report

• 11h Procedure for Institution-Wide Partner Status (revised December 2018)

• 11i Procedure for establishing and managing student exchange partnerships (new April 2016)

• 11j Working Internationally Guidance

• 11k Policy on recognising others training

• 11l Non T&L due diligence form

• Non T&L due diligence form guidance notes

• 11m OIA Guidance for Partnerships

• 11n Partnership Responsibilities Guidance Document (October 2019)

[N.B. Guidance in relation to the design of collaborative programmes is included within Section 5b Guidelines on the design of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.]

12. Foundation Year Provision

• 12a Protocols For Programmes Comprising a Foundation Year or International Foundation Year (Part 0) (updated February 2022)

13. Assessment Handbook

14. Apprenticeship Provision

Policies relating specifically to the University's apprenticeship provision can be found below. Where relevant additions and/or adaptations have been made to existing Policies (such as the Programme Life-cycle policy) to incorporate apprenticeship provision.

• 14a Apprenticeship Policy and guidance Final.pdf
• 14b Guidance and Toolkit for Schools interested in Apprenticeships
• 14c Apprenticeship sub-contractor fees and charges policy
• 14d Management of Subcontracted Apprenticeship Provision
• 14e Peer Review for Apprenticeship Provision
• 14f Conflict of Interest policy for apprenticeship End Point Assessment
• 14g Integrated EPA Policy and Guidance for Confidential and Commercially Sensitive Evidence
• 14h End Point Assessment Policy (PDF-181KB)
• 14i Apprenticeship employer complaints procedure Please note that any apprentice wishing to make a complaint should be directed to the Student complaints procedure (Section 4c).