Academic Quality, Regulations & Procedures

This is where to find The Royal Veterinary College's academic policies, procedures, and regulations, including those used for assuring the quality and enhancement of the student learning experience. In this area Students & Staff can access all pertinent information relating to the student journey.

Academic Quality Assurance & Enhancement Procedures

QAA Quality Mark thumbnail

Click here to read this institution's latest review report.

QAA Higher Education Review (2015) Action Plan - updates in 2015, 2016 and 2019 . Merged responses to Action Plan available here.

If you are having difficulties viewing the above mind-map, please click here to download a PDF version.

UK Quality Code for Higher Education: The RVC maps its Academic Quality Assurance and Enhancement Procedures against the sound practice within the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) UK Quality Code for Higher Education. The College also takes into consideration the requirements of relevant Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs).

Quality Assurance Agency - Higher Education Review: The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) confirmed the quality and standards of provision at the Royal Veterinary College following its review visit in February 2015.   A team of QAA reviewers visited the Royal Veterinary College and judged that its academic standards, the quality of its student learning opportunities, and the quality of information about its learning opportunities all meet UK expectations. The enhancement of its student learning opportunities is commended.   For further details regarding the review visit and the actions the College took in response to the findings of the review, please read more here.

Academic Quality Assurance and Enhancement Procedures

For further details and/or help, please contact a member of the Academic Quality Team.

Course Support & Student Administration

Doctoral Programmes & Research Degrees

Exams & Assessment

This is where you will find policies, regulations, guidance and procedural information regarding exams and assessment.

You might also be interested in the following links: 

A Guide to the Documentation available for Examiners and Examining in Taught Courses at the RVC

There are four types of document:  

1. Policy: Statements about particular expectations in the design of regulations and operation of procedures 

2. Regulatory: Formal requirements that all Courses, Examiners and Boards of Examiners must meet 

3. Procedures: Set instructions that Examiners and Course Directors must follow 

4. Guidance: Reference documents to enable Examiners and Course Directors to undertake their roles.

All courses are governed by the following:

Title Contents Type of document            

Constitution and Function of Exam Boards

 Describes the makeup and duties of members of the Board Regulatory

Procedure, Criteria and Nomination Form for appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs of Boards of Examiners

 Procedure for appointing a new Chair or Deputy Chair of Exam Board, including a nomination form with criteria of appointment Procedure
Code of Practice for Pre Meetings to Boards of Examiners Business to be dealt with prior to formal meetings of Boards of Examiners Procedure

General Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses

Security of Exams and Assessment Material

Regulations covering conduct in exam rooms, late submission of work, document retention, aegrotat Regulatory
Setting Examination Papers How written examination papers have to be set Procedure
How Exams are Marked How exams should be marked eg Sample and Double marking requirements etc. Procedure

Guidance for Design of Assessment in Modules   

How to ensure that the load of assessment on students is equivalent between different modules etc.

 Guidance

Marking Schemes:

 How to mark/grade assessments Policy​

Extensions to submission dates and authorised absences:

Guidance to Students on meeting submission deadlines

Allowable reasons for granting of extensions to submission deadlines

Assessment Extension Request Form

Summative Assessment Authorised Absence Form

 How a student can gain extensions Procedure

Guidance for Boards of Examiners concerning major project resubmission

 What and how to decide when a student has failed a project​ Guidance

Responsibilities and Guidance on annual activity for Course Directors or BVetMed Year Leaders

 The course director’s responsibilities in relation to examinations Guidance

 

Responsibilities and Guidance on annual activity for Chairs of Boards of Examiners

 The chair’s responsibilities in relation to examinations Guidance

Special Examination Arrangements Information

 How a student can seek adjustment to their exams and how it is considered and approved Procedure

Academic Standards, Adjustments and inclusive practice:

Making adjustments for Examinations - statement of required competencies and Guidance for Students and Chairs of Boards of Examiners

 What is allowed in terms of making adjustments Policy​

Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism

Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct Process

Preparing for your Meeting

Plagiarism - supporting RVC staff and students in avoiding plagiarism

 What happens where plagiarism or other cheating is suspected Procedure

Exams Calendar for MSc Degrees (first and second attempts, deferrals, progression)

 Cycle of activity in MSc degree examinations Procedure

Feedback to Taught Students at the RVC – Policy & Guidance

Who, when and how feedback should be given to taught students

Policy on Formative Assessment

 Policy & Guidance

Oral Examinations by Tele or Video-conferencing (not applicable to MRes or distance learning courses)   

 Using Skype and video conferencing Procedure

Written Examinations taken at a Distance 

 Arranging examinations at premises other than the RVC Procedure

Guidance for digital/paperless assessment of taught courses

 Guidance on the planning, set-up and delivery of remote online assessments Guidance

Systems Failure in Relation to Online Submission of Assessments

 Outline of the RVC procedure when there is a system failure that impacts on submission of online assessments, for example via Online Coursework Management (OCM) or TurnItIn, as well as any other appropriate submission portal. Procedure

Further Student Policies and Procedures

Student Appeals, Complaints and Conduct

Teaching & Learning

You might also be interested in other College regulations and procedures:

  • Human Resources A - Z Forms and Policies for documentation relating to standards of conduct for staff and students
  • Policies and Regulations (on Intranet) for documentation related to the use of RVC computers, internet, telephones, printers. etc by RVC staff and students
  • Policy and Legal for documentation relating to Governance, Publication Scheme, Finance, Information Compliance, Health and Safety, Risk Management, Public Interest Disclosure, etc.

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