Overview of Quality Assurance and Enhancement in the College of MDS

The College of Medical and Dental Sciences places high emphasis on the assurance of educational standards of all our taught provision and the continued enhancement of the student learning experience.

Overseen by the College QAE, a number of academic colleagues have responsibility for the QAE of a suite of programmes / programme clusters, namely:  MBChB, Dentistry, BMedSc, PGR, PGT and Nursing and Physiotherapy. This activity is supported through the College QAE Office.

Colleagues involved in QAE activity routinely work with programme staff, the College Director of Education, College Learning and Teaching Committee, Head of Academic Innovation and the University Academic Quality Unit.  There is a desire to ensure that whilst close links are forged with those involved in the delivery of education, the QAE function remains distinct in order to operate effectively and independently.

The College QAE Committee (and its sub-committees) plays a vital role in the formulation of policy and the dissemination of good practice.  It reports to the University QAE Committee and the MDS College Board.

The aim of the QAE function is to assure students, clinical colleagues, patients, PSRBs and the University that provision is appropriate, rigorous and robust.  This is achieved by:

• Establishing and maintaining a set of procedures which allow the College to respond in a systemic and transparent manner to the external requirements of the QAA , the GMC and other PSRBs;

• Ensuring compliance with  the University’s quality framework, BIQAES, to meet required standards. (University Guidance on BIQAES)

• Ensuring that a robust External Examiner system is in place, including consideration of and timely response to External Examiner comments (University Code of Practice on External Examiners)

• Carrying out a rolling cycle of monitoring visits to partner NHS Trusts and a random programme of visits to partner general practices for the MBChB. (Further Information)

• Working alongside the University's Academic Quality Unit, to provide professional advice and guidance on quality assurance and enhancement matters.

Link to QAE Office Pages

Core activities / key projects

Birmingham Integrated Quality Assurance and Enhancement System (BIQAES)

External Examiner System

Undergraduate Clinical Education Monitoring Visits (MBChB)

QAE Committees

Office Staff

QAE Diary

Useful Links