Course Monitoring Policy

1. Purpose and scope

This policy sets out how LIBT monitors, evaluates, and enhances an Academic programme (see the Glossary, LIBT Quality Glossary) once it is approved. It applies to every live Academic programme, whether LIBT-awarded (including where the programme carries CMI accreditation or endorsement) or QUALIFI-awarded. How a programme is approved in the first place is governed by the Course Approval and Review Policy, not this document.

2. Principles

Monitoring is both a compliance and an improvement activity. It relies on evidence rather than impression. It is applied consistently across programmes, using the same process and timeline. It involves students and staff, rather than being done to them.

3. Three levels of monitoring

3.1 Ongoing monitoring

Ongoing monitoring is continuous, informal observation throughout the student academic year by the Programme Leader. It includes assessment sampling, student feedback as it arises, and moderation outcomes (see the Assessment Policy). The Programme Leader takes corrective action as needed, rather than holding it for the annual cycle.

3.2 Annual Monitoring Review

Each programme's Programme Leader completes an Annual Monitoring Report once a student academic year. The report covers student performance, retention, and progression data; student and staff feedback; external examiner or moderation findings (see the Assessment Policy); and an action plan for the coming student academic year. The Academic Registry reviews the report before it goes to the Academic Board for approval.

3.3 Periodic review

Every programme undergoes a full periodic review at least once every three years, or sooner if a significant regulatory or sector change requires it. This is a comprehensive evaluation against current national and industry benchmarks. It involves external reviewers, employer input where relevant, and student representatives. It results in a recommendation to the Academic Board to re-approve, modify, or withdraw the programme.

4. Evidence used

Monitoring draws on several sources of evidence. These include registration, retention, and completion rates; assessment outcomes and grade distribution; and internal verification, moderation, and external examining reports (see the Assessment Policy). They also include student and staff feedback, including through the Student-Staff Liaison Committee (see the Student Engagement Policy), and appeals, complaints, and malpractice data (see the Academic Appeals and Complaints Policy and the Assessment Malpractice Policy).

5. Enhancement actions

An action arising from monitoring is specific, has a clear owner and deadline, and is checked in the next monitoring cycle. The Academic Registry keeps a central record of open and completed actions.

6. Student involvement

Students contribute to monitoring through module and programme evaluation surveys, and through the Student-Staff Liaison Committee (see the Student Engagement Policy). Where student feedback leads to a change, this is communicated back to students. This follows the Student Engagement Policy's "You said, we did" practice.

7. Record keeping

Monitoring reports, action plans, and periodic review outcomes are retained by the Academic Registry for a minimum of six years. A summary is reported to the Board of Directors annually.

8. Review

This policy is reviewed annually by the Academic Board. Any change must be checked against the Cross-Reference Map, in particular against the Course Approval and Review Policy, the Assessment Policy, and the Student Engagement Policy.

Company information: London Institute of Business & Technology Limited (LIBT) Hillary House, Prospect Hill, Douglas, IM1 1EQ, Isle of Man, British Isles.