Curriculum Transformation Phase 1 Part 1

Part 1: Information Gathering

Consultation and Engagement

There are numerous ways in which consultation and engagement with stakeholders can take place. As part of the approval process for Phase 1, Departments will be expected to demonstrate how they have used information gathered through these activities to inform the review of their current provision and the development of a refreshed Course Vision.

1A: Current Course Offering provides a summary of your current course titles and basic details.

1B: Record of Stakeholder Engagement and Data Gathering Activities provides a record of your engagement activities with key stakeholders as well as a gathering point for conclusions from critical data sources.

Staff Engagement

Involving staff in the process is vital. The Vanguard programmes used surveys, focus groups, workshops, and consultation events to gather staff input and provide updates on the process.

Alumni Engagement

Alumni can provide a valuable perspective through their course experience. Existing departmental networks might be utilised to consult with previous students.

Accrediting Bodies

Relevant accrediting bodies and PSRBs should be contacted by the Department at the start of Phase 1 to inform them of the process and its broad purposes. Vanguard programmes have found accrediting bodies to be supportive of Curriculum Transformation and willing to offer appropriate guidance.

Employer Engagement

A special group has been established to coordinate employer engagement activity for Curriculum Transformation across departments. This will ensure that communication with employers is efficient, for instance where key employers are likely to be shared by graduates from multiple programmes, coordination across teams and Faculties will avoid duplication of effort. It is therefore important that Faculties/Departments liaise with the group in advance of engaging with employers.

Contact: Andy Pitchford

Where key employers fall outside of a programme's direct area of expertise (for instance, in Chemistry where significant numbers of graduates enter employment in the banking/financial sector) departments can seek support from the Careers Service in identifying points of contact.

Phase 1 - Using Focus Groups to Engage with Students

Focus groups are an effective means by which to begin student engagement activity. The Department of Health used this approach in the first phase of their course transformation, and gained valuable insights into the student experience that shaped later thinking around course structures and teaching and learning methods.