Expectations for standards

The academic standards of courses meet the requirements of the relevant national qualifications framework. The value of qualifications awarded to students at the point of qualification and over time is in line with sector-recognised standards.

These expectations are underpinned by a number of Core Practices:

The provider ensures that the threshold standards for its qualifications are consistent with the relevant National Qualification Frameworks.
The provider ensures that students who are awarded qualifications have the opportunity to achieve standards beyond the threshold level that are reasonably comparable with those achieved in other UK providers.
Where a provider works in partnership with other organisations, it has in place effective arrangements to ensure that the standards of its awards are credible and secure irrespective of where or how courses are delivered or who delivers them.
The provider uses external expertise, assessment and classification processes that are reliable, fair and transparent.

1. The provider ensures that the threshold standards for its qualifications are consistent with the relevant national qualifications frameworks.

How does Hope do this?	What Resources are available?
All new courses are approved with reference to both the National and University Qualification Frameworks. All new courses are approved with the involvement of senior colleagues from other institutions and with a range of external experts where it is appropriate. All courses have an external examiner who is consulted on appropriateness of the provision.	Framework of qualifications QH1 Programme Design and Approval (1) QH2 Programme Design and Approval (2) QH3 Programme Design and Approval (3) QH6 Process for the Withdrawal or Suspension of Courses QH7a PLD Handbook (for credit bearing awards) QH7b PLD Handbook (non-credit bearing awards) QAA Advice and Guidance:

How does Hope do this?

What Resources are available?

All new courses are approved with reference to both the National and University Qualification Frameworks.
All new courses are approved with the involvement of senior colleagues from other institutions and with a range of external experts where it is appropriate.
All courses have an external examiner who is consulted on appropriateness of the provision.

Framework of qualifications

QH1 Programme Design and Approval (1)

QH2 Programme Design and Approval (2)

QH3 Programme Design and Approval (3)

QH6 Process for the Withdrawal or Suspension of Courses

QH7a PLD Handbook (for credit bearing awards)

QH7b PLD Handbook (non-credit bearing awards)

QAA Advice and Guidance:

2. The provider ensures that students who are awarded qualifications have the opportunity to achieve standards beyond the threshold level that are reasonably comparable with those achieved in other UK providers.

How does Hope do this?	What resources are available?
All new courses are approved with the involvement of senior colleagues from other institutions. All courses have an external examiner who is consulted on appropriateness of the provision. Some academic staff are External Examiners at other institutions Academic staff are involved in internal and external L & T networks which give opportunities for informal comparative work. Where appropriate courses are accredited by external bodies who also oversee standards of that award.	QH1 Programme Design and Approval (1) QH2 Programme Design and Approval (2) QH3 Programme Design and Approval (3) External Examiners Briefing Guide 1 2025 The University and it Programmes External Examiners Briefing Guide 2 2025 External Examiners Briefing Guide 3 Regulations at Hope 2025 External Examiners Briefing Guide 4 Undergraduate Regulations 2025 External Examiners Briefing Guide 5 Postgraduate Taught Students 2025 External Examiners Briefing Guide 6 Administrative Arrangements 2025 External Examiners Report proforma 2024_5 School External Examiners Overview Report 2024_5. QH10: Seeking and Maintaining Professional Accreditations Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Register External Examining Handbook 24_25 QAA Advice and Guidance:

How does Hope do this?

What resources are available?

All new courses are approved with the involvement of senior colleagues from other institutions.
All courses have an external examiner who is consulted on appropriateness of the provision.
Some academic staff are External Examiners at other institutions
Academic staff are involved in internal and external L & T networks which give opportunities for informal comparative work.
Where appropriate courses are accredited by external bodies who also oversee standards of that award.

QH1 Programme Design and Approval (1)

QH2 Programme Design and Approval (2)

QH3 Programme Design and Approval (3)

External Examiners Briefing Guide 1 2025 The University and it Programmes

External Examiners Briefing Guide 2 2025

External Examiners Briefing Guide 3 Regulations at Hope 2025

External Examiners Briefing Guide 4 Undergraduate Regulations 2025

External Examiners Briefing Guide 5 Postgraduate Taught Students 2025

External Examiners Briefing Guide 6 Administrative Arrangements 2025

External Examiners Report proforma 2024_5

School External Examiners Overview Report 2024_5.

QH10: Seeking and Maintaining Professional Accreditations

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Register

External Examining Handbook 24_25

QAA Advice and Guidance:

3. Where a provider works in partnership with other organisations, it has in place effective arrangements to ensure that the standards of its awards are credible and secure irrespective of where or how courses are delivered or who delivers them.

How does Hope do this?	What resources are available?
All Collaborative provision is overseen by the Partnerships and Accreditations Committee (PAC) with reference to the University policy. All new partners must be approved through the formal process before partnership working commences. A full list of all current partners is held and is regularly updated. The course approval process includes consideration of location and of available resources.	QH8 Academic Partnership Handbook Partnership Register Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Register QH1 Programme Design and Approval (1) QH2 Programme Design and Approval (2) QH3 Programme Design and Approval (3) QAA Advice and Guidance:

How does Hope do this?

What resources are available?

All Collaborative provision is overseen by the Partnerships and Accreditations Committee (PAC) with reference to the University policy.
All new partners must be approved through the formal process before partnership working commences.
A full list of all current partners is held and is regularly updated.
The course approval process includes consideration of location and of available resources.

QH8 Academic Partnership Handbook

Partnership Register

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Register

QH1 Programme Design and Approval (1)

QH2 Programme Design and Approval (2)

QH3 Programme Design and Approval (3)

QAA Advice and Guidance:

4. The provider uses external expertise, assessment and classification processes that are reliable, fair and transparent.

How does Hope do this?	What resources are available?
External Examiners are appointed through a rigorous process overseen by Senate. External Examiners report through standard documentation. HOS/Ds must provide a response to their External Examiner following the submission of their report. A School/Department External Examiner provides oversight of the work of all external examiners in that School/Department. Assessment of student work is done using a standard marking framework. Classification of degrees is overseen by the Registrar.	EXN1 Nomination of External Examiner EXN2 Approval for extension of EE duties External Examiners Report proforma 2024_5 School External Examiners Overview Report 2024_5. External Examining Handbook 24_25 QAA Advice and Guidance:

How does Hope do this?

What resources are available?

External Examiners are appointed through a rigorous process overseen by Senate.
External Examiners report through standard documentation.
HOS/Ds must provide a response to their External Examiner following the submission of their report.
A School/Department External Examiner provides oversight of the work of all external examiners in that School/Department.
Assessment of student work is done using a standard marking framework.
Classification of degrees is overseen by the Registrar.

EXN1 Nomination of External Examiner

EXN2 Approval for extension of EE duties

External Examiners Report proforma 2024_5

School External Examiners Overview Report 2024_5.

External Examining Handbook 24_25

QAA Advice and Guidance: