As part of the University’s quality assurance framework, Continuous Action for Programme Enhancement (CAPE) is a key mechanism by which the University can assure itself of the quality, and maintain the academic standards, of its programmes. CAPE enables programme teams to reflect and act upon relevant programme-level information and enables Faculties/committees to make judgments on the School analysis of pertinent data and actions to address concerns or disseminate good practice. This work forms a significant part of the basis on which Academic Council seeks to provide assurance to Senate on the following matters, so that Senate may provide the required annual assurances to the Department for the Economy:
- Students’ academic experience at Queen’s is of an appropriate quality, and robust and appropriate methodologies are in place to ensure the continuous improvement of the student academic experience.
- Student outcomes are of an appropriate quality, and robust and appropriate methodologies are in place to ensure the continuous improvement of student outcomes.
- Degree standards are set and maintained at an appropriate level.
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The CAPE Cycle
Figure 1 demonstrates the anticipated continuous nature of CAPE, with programme teams reviewing and reflecting on data, and planning and taking action throughout the academic year. Priority Objectives arising from CAPE are developed at School, Faculty and Institutional level each year to identify action for programme enhancement.
Figure 1: CAPE Cycle
Download an accessible version of Figure 1: CAPE Cycle
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CAPE Review
Figure 2 presents the main steps for CAPE Review, with Schools receiving feedback on their CAPE reports, Faculty Action Plans, and the Institutional Action Plan arising from CAPE Review.
Figure 2: CAPE Review
Download an accessible version of Figure 2: CAPE Review
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CAPE Review Process
CAPE Review Process (2021-22 Programme Delivery)
Guidance, report templates and pre-populated School-specific reports will be provided on the CAPE SharePoint site (QUB staff login required).
Directors of Education/Graduate Studies/Postgraduate Research should complete one UG/PGT/RDP report per School. Directors should discuss their draft School report with their Faculty Dean before the final version is uploaded to SharePoint.
The Quality Assurance and Regulations Team in Academic Affairs will draft School feedback sheets for consideration at CAPE Faculty Review Panels (which include cross-University and student representation membership). Provision in the University Colleges, the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) and INTO will continue to be reviewed with cognate disciplines within Faculty Review Panels to facilitate wider peer review, learning, dissemination of good practice, and Institutional action. These Panels will consider the CAPE forms and agree School feedback, and discuss Faculty-level findings/actions.
The CAPE Steering Group, which includes Chairs of the Faculty Review Panels, will consider cross-Faculty findings, Faculty Priority Objectives, recommend Institutional Priority Objectives, and will provide assurances to Education Committee (Quality and Standards) on academic standards.
Deadlines
The deadline for the submission of completed CAPE reports is:
Undergraduate Programmes: 9 December 2022
Research Degree Programmes: 16 December 2022
Postgraduate Taught Programmes: 24 February 2023
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Feedback from CAPE
Feedback from CAPE (2020-21 Programme Delivery)
Each CAPE Faculty Review Panel (for Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught and Research Degree Programmes) provided the following assurances during February/April 2022:
- It has considered each School’s self-assessment of pertinent quantitative and qualitative data, and identification of actions for programme enhancement.
- School/programme-specific feedback has been given to support degree standards and continuous improvement of the student academic experience and student outcomes (accessible via the CAPE SharePoint site (QUB staff login required).
- On the basis of the information received through CAPE in tandem with the other constituent parts of the University’s Quality Assurance Framework, provision continues to meet the Expectations for Standards and Expectations for Quality as outlined in the revised UK Quality Code for Higher Education.
In May 2022, the CAPE Steering Group provided the following assurances:
- It has considered the assurances provided by each Faculty Review Panel, and the Faculty Priority Objectives provided in relation to Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught and Research Degree Programmes.
- It has considered themes of good practice identified via CAPE, and agreed mechanisms to share, disseminate and embed good practice across the University.
- It has identified relevant Institutional Priority Objectives arising from CAPE.
- On the basis of the information received through CAPE in tandem with the other constituent parts of the University’s Quality Assurance Framework, provision continues to meet the Expectations for Standards and Expectations for Quality as outlined in the revised UK Quality Code for Higher Education.
The CAPE Steering Group reviewed and discussed themes of good practice, commonalities in Faculty Priority Objectives, and University-level matters that were discussed at CAPE Faculty Review Panels. From this, the Group identified Institutional Priority Objectives arising from CAPE which were approved by the Education Committee (Quality and Standards) and the Education Committee (Student Experience) in May 2022, and will be implemented by May 2023. Faculty Priority Objectives and Institutional Priority Objectives are accessible via the CAPE SharePoint site (QUB staff login required).