Annual course performance

The annual course performance report cycle utilises the UTS Course Performance Report (CPR) to detail the performance of all UTS award courses against benchmarked standards and targets set by the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning and Equity) in consultation with the deans. The CPR enables the University to gain an overall picture of the performance of its courses and identify those courses that may need to be monitored more closely.

Broadly, the annual course performance report cycle involves the following process:

• Course performance report: the distribution of the CPR by the Planning and Quality Unit to faculties and the Teaching and Learning Committee.
• Analysis: based on the performance of the course as identified in the CPR, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning and Equity) provides advice to faculties, Academic Board and the Vice-Chancellor on whether a course be continued or the future of the course be considered. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning and Equity) is assisted by the Course Review Advisory Group (CRAG). Courses to be continued may be classified in three categories: 1. commendable; 2. acceptable; or 3. of concern to be closely monitored. For courses with 'not enough information' as a result of an insufficient number of graduates to generate data, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning and Equity) liaises with faculties to collect feedback to assist to determine the status of the course.
• Faculty feedback: deans submit reports to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning and Equity) outlining the planned actions for courses classified as 'future to be considered' and 'of concern to be closely monitored'.
• Recommendations: the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning and Equity), assisted by CRAG, advises faculties, Academic Board and the Vice-Chancellor on suitable actions.

Annual course performance report cycle

The following diagram shows an overview of the annual course performance report cycle and relevant timelines.

The Planning and Quality Unit can provide further information on the CPR.

Offshore courses

UTS International coordinates the monitoring of offshore courses and arrangements.

These quality assurance processes include:

• a biannual report to Council on the overall sustainability and risk assessment of the course, in accordance with the Council Directives for UTS Commercial Activities
• an annual report to Academic Board on Languages Other than English (LOTE) courses detailing the language ability of all teachers, as well as the qualifications of translators and interpreters involved in the delivery of the course.

Contact UTS International for information on the monitoring of offshore courses and arrangements.

Course Review Advisory Group

The Course Review Advisory Group (CRAG) supports the annual course performance review process by analysing data in the UTS Course Performance Report and providing advice to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning and Equity) on appropriate action to be taken by faculties. It also advises the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning and Equity) on any course performance issues or best practice examples that warrant consideration at a university-wide level. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor then provides feedback to faculties on review actions and makes recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor, Academic Board and other bodies, as appropriate.

Terms of reference

Specific terms of reference of CRAG are to advise the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning and Equity) on:

• issues concerning UTS courses performing unsatisfactorily based on the Course Performance Report prepared by PQU
• actions proposed by faculties to improve courses performing unsatisfactorily
• commendations on strongly performing courses
• any best practice and/or unsatisfactory course performance issues that may warrant consideration across more than one faculty.

Meeting dates 2012

• Wednesday 27th June 2pm–5pm
• Wednesday 29 August 2pm–5pm (combined meeting with the Courses Planning Committee)
• Monday 29 October 2pm–5pm

Contact: Garry McLeay, Accreditation and Committee Support Officer
Telephone (02) 9515 9918

Composition and membership