Commitees and groups
The Academic Board delegates responsibility to a number of sub-committees and groups.
Animal Welfare and Ethics Sub-Committee
Purpose
The Animal Welfare and Ethics Sub-Committee (AWESC) exists to develop and implement the University's policies and procedures in relation to research, teaching and education with animals and animal by-products. AWESC is accountable to the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (RKEC).
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Animal Welfare and Ethics Sub-Committee Terms of Reference (PDF)
Award Board (one per modular scheme)
Purpose
To be responsible to Academic Board for the decisions relating to the eligibility of students for awards, including intermediate and default awards, within their jurisdiction and the effect of approved personal circumstances on the performance of a student.
For more information, please email the relevant Faculty and Programme Assessment Team:
- Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education: ACE.SAT@uwe.ac.uk
- Faculty of Business and Law: FBL.SAT@uwe.ac.uk
- Faculty of Environment and Technology: FBL.SAT@uwe.ac.uk
- Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences: HLS.SAT@uwe.ac.uk
The terms of reference, membership and quorum of Award Boards are defined in the Academic Regulations and Procedures.
College Academic Standards and Quality Committee - one per college
Purpose
College Academic Standards and Quality Committees (ASQCs) are accountable to the University Quality and Standards Sub-Committee and to the Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee and oversee the implementation of quality and standards for learning and teaching by academic departments within the College and the student experience within the College. Each ASQC also takes direction from and provides reports to the relevant College Board on matters within its area of competence.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Faculty Academic Standards and Quality Committee Terms of Reference (PDF)
College Boards – one per college
Purpose
Each College Board is accountable to Academic Board and oversees the development, implementation and enhancement of the University's strategy within the College. Each board shapes the College's contribution into university-wide initiatives, providing a consultative forum through which representatives of College staff provide advice to the wider College Executive on matters related to College performance.
In conducting their business, College Boards take direction from and report as required to the Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee (LTSEC) and the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (RKEC) in relation to matters within their respective areas of competence.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
College Curriculum Review Groups - one per college
Purpose
College Curriculum Review Groups (FCRGs) are accountable to the relevant College Academic Standards and Quality Committee (ASQC) and have oversight of all College curriculum development which has been deemed low or medium impact. FCRGs also identify and disseminate themes for consideration and/or practice which enhance the student learning experience.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
College Research and Knowledge Exchange Committees - one per college
Purpose
College Research and Knowledge Exchange Committees (CRKECs) are responsible for the development and implementation of the University's research and knowledge exchange strategy within the Colleges. They are also responsible for monitoring research and knowledge exchange performance across the College, including reports on the outcome of submitted research bids. Each CRKEC also takes direction from and provides reports to the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (RKEC) on matters within its area of competence, including the management of individual cases.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
College Research and Knowledge Exchange Committees Terms of Reference (PDF)
College Research Degrees Committees - one per college
Purpose
College Research Degree Committees (CRDCs) are responsible for promoting high-quality postgraduate research education across all disciplines within each College and for the implementation of the University's Enhancement Framework as it relates to research degrees. CRDCs are accountable via the relevant College Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (CRKECs) to College Board.
CRDCs implement policies and procedures for the assessment of Postgraduate Research Students and make recommendations for the approval of examination arrangements for individual students to the Research Degrees Award Board. Each CRDC also takes direction from and provides reports to the Graduate School Sub-Committee on matters within its area of competence.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
College Research Degrees Committees Terms of Reference (PDF)
College Research Ethics Committees - one per college
Purpose
College Research Ethics Committees (CRECs) are accountable for the overall operation and management of research ethics within the College. They are also accountable to the Research Ethics Sub-Committee (RESC) on matters concerning the ethical protection of human participants in research. CRECs are accountable via the relevant College Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (CRKEC) to College Board.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Degree Apprenticeship Board
Purpose
The purpose of the Degree Apprenticeship Board is to oversee, scrutinise and provide recommendations for the development, implementation and review of Degree Apprenticeship provision across the University. It also reviews progress against and alignment with the Enhancement framework and principles of Learning 2030.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Department Committees
Purpose
Department Committees meet outside of the formal Academic Governance Structure, however, they influence academic governance and have representation through College Boards. Heads of Departments also have representation on Academic Board.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Department Student Partnership Forum
Purpose
The Department Student Partnership Forum (DSPF) is accountable to the relevant College Academic Standards and Quality Committee (ASQC). The forum is responsible for considering and appropriately actioning matters relating to the student experience at a departmental level jointly between the Head of Department and the Lead Department Rep.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Department Student Partnership Forum Terms of Reference (PDF)
Field Board (typically one per field)
Purpose
To be responsible to Academic Board for the decisions relating to the consideration and approval module marks and award credit (ie they are module facing) and ensuring assessments are conduced and scrutinised in accordance with the Academic Regulations and Procedures. Field Boards also determine the impact of adverse circumstances on cohorts, or identifiable groups of students.
For more information, please email the relevant Faculty and Programme Assessment Team:
- Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education at ACE.SAT@uwe.ac.uk
- Faculty of Business and Law at FBL.SAT@uwe.ac.uk
- Faculty of Environment and Technology at FET.SAT@uwe.ac.uk
- Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences at HLS.SAT@uwe.ac.uk
The terms of reference, membership and quorum of Award Boards are defined in the Academic Regulations and Procedures.
Graduate School Sub-Committee
Purpose
The Graduate School Sub-Committee (GSSC) exists to support a high quality, sustainable postgraduate research student experience and have oversight of Graduate School processes and policies. GSSC is accountable to the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee, receives reports from and has the authority to steer College Boards and, through them, College Research Degree Committees, in relation to postgraduate research matters.
GSSC also reports to and takes direction from the Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee (LTSEC) on matters regarding the general student experience at UWE Bristol.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Honorary Degrees Committee
Purpose
The Honorary Degrees Committee has delegated responsibility from Academic Board and the Board of Governors for the scrutiny and approval of nominations for the award of Honorary Degrees.
Officer: Delia Bean
Human Tissue Sub-Committee
Purpose
The Human Tissue Sub-Committee oversees the development and implementation of the University's policies and procedures in relation to use of human tissue for research and teaching purposes at UWE Bristol. The committee is accountable to the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (RKEC).
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee
Purpose
The Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee (LTSEC) oversees the development, implementation and enhancement of the University's strategy and approach to learning, teaching, assessment and the student experience. It is responsible for the maintenance of UWE Bristol's academic standards. LTSEC also supports the implementation of the University's access and participation strategy under the direction of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Group. LTSEC is accountable to the Academic Board.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee Terms of Reference (PDF)
Programme Enhancement Review Panels
Purpose
Programme Enhancement Review (PER) Panels exist to oversee the re-approval of existing programmes, approval of new programmes or major changes to programmes considered as part of a Programme Enhancement Review, as set out in the Enhancement Framework. PER Panels are accountable to the Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee (LTSEC).
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Programme Enhancement Review Panels Terms of Reference (PDF)
Programme Management Committee
Purpose
Programme Management Committees (PMC) oversee the management of programmes and modules contributing to programmes/clusters and are accountable to the relevant College Academic Quality and Standards Committee (AQSC). PMCs have oversight of Student Representative Staff Forums (SRSFs) which report directly to the PMC. SRSFs are for all those involved in programme delivery including student representatives, to manage the programme and to share and enhance practice.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee
Purpose
The Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (RKEC) oversees the development, implementation and enhancement of the University's strategy for and approach to research, knowledge exchange and enterprise. The Committee monitors the Graduate School Sub-Committee, the University Research Ethics Sub-Committee, Human Tissue Sub-Committee and Animal Welfare and Ethics Sub-Committee. The RKEC is accountable to the Academic Board.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee Terms of Reference (PDF)
Research Degrees Award Board
Purpose
The Research Degrees Award Board will receive the recommended outcome from the viva voce examination alongside outcomes in taught modules from field boards and on this basis will make recommendations for the award of the appropriate research degree.
Officer: Helen Jackson at Helen.Jackson@uwe.ac.uk
The terms of reference, membership and quorum of Award Boards are defined in the Academic Regulations and Procedures.
Research Ethics Sub-Committee
Purpose
The Research Ethics Sub-Committee (RESC) exists to protect research participants and promote the continuation of ethical research practice and standards across the University. RESC is accountable to the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (RKEC). RESC has the authority to steer, through the RKEC, the work of College Boards in relation to research ethics. College Research Ethics Committees report directly to RESC on matters concerning individual cases.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Strategic Academic Portfolio Group
Purpose
The Strategic Academic Portfolio Group (SAPG) is accountable to the Academic Board. It provides comprehensive oversight, direction and challenge for the University’s learning and teaching portfolio, ensuring that the range of subjects and programmes on offer and the academic partnerships and alliances the University fosters support our strategic objectives and deliver an outstanding university experience for our students. SAPG may establish task-and-finish and special interest groups from time to time to support it in its work.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
Student Representative Staff Forums
Purpose
Student Representative Staff Forums are the forum for dialogue between students and staff on matters relating to the student experience which are within the remit of that programme or programme cluster. The Forum is responsible for advising departmental committees on the student experience within the Department. The SRSFs will normally be chaired by the Programme or Cluster Manager or in a number of cases the chair will be shared with the Student Representatives.
The focus of the forums is to provide opportunities for both initial consideration of matters based on student feedback, and wider consideration of matters developed outside of the student representative system (eg student surveys and module feedback processes). The forums are also used to inform responses to students and other feedback (eg external examiners).
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
University Curriculum Panel
Purpose
The University Curriculum Panel (UCP) oversees the strategic management of the University’s academic portfolio, including the initial approval of proposals for new programmes, degree apprenticeships and major revisions to the existing academic portfolio within Colleges.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
University Quality and Standards Sub-Committee
Purpose
The Quality and Standards Sub-Committee (UQSSC) is accountable to the Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee for ensuring that all taught and research programmes leading to UWE Bristol awards, whether delivered in Bristol or elsewhere, are of comparable academic standard and offer an equivalent educational experience through: the development and implementation of institution-wide quality assurance policies and procedures for ensuring high standards of learning and teaching; the regular review of quality assurance policies and procedures to ensure that they are properly implemented and remain fit for purpose; ensuring that student progress and success are monitored effectively through agreed procedures and appropriate follow-up action taken.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
University Quality and Standards Sub-Committee Terms of Reference (PDF)
University Validation Panel
Purpose
The University Validation Panel is accountable to the Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee and exists to oversee the approval of new programmes or high-impact changes to existing programmes as set out in the Enhancement Framework. It ensures that quality and standards are met and that curriculum is aligned to the Learning 2030 Strategy, Enhancement Framework and relevant external benchmarks.
Planned new programmes and high-impact changes to existing curriculum should be aligned to and considered as part of a scheduled Programme Enhancement Review (PER) wherever possible and the PER schedule can be adapted accordingly. Where this is not possible or desirable, new programmes or high-impact changes to curriculum will be considered by a University Validation Panel, convened for that purpose.
Contact: please email Student and Academic Services at academicgovernance@uwe.ac.uk for information.
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