CPD opportunity to learn more about managing education quality at UCL

What is the Internal Quality Review (IQR) process?  

Internal Quality Review is UCL’s central academic quality management and enhancement process. It is a rolling programme of peer review, in which all academic departments of UCL and a small number of interdepartmental degree programmes are reviewed every six years. 

The IQR plays a pivotal role in:  

• Providing a high-quality learning experience for students. 
• Reviewing the effectiveness of a department’s mechanisms for the management of its programmes; 
• Ensuring that UCL’s policies and procedures are operating as intended to safeguard academic standards.  

A department’s IQR is informed by data and evidence. A review visit agenda is prepared in advance so that review teams delve into specific themes for exploration and focus on priority strategic areas for each department. 

What would you do as IQR Secretary?  

The Administrative Secretary’s role is key to the whole IQR process. As Secretary you will: 

• Be the primary liaison between the department and the review team to set up and manage the review visit; 
• Read the department’s self-evaluation and supporting evidence; 
• Arrange, manage and contribute to a planning meeting of the review team, prior to the review visit;  
• Take notes of interviews with staff and students during the review visit – the visit takes place over one working day this year;  
• Draft a short IQR report containing recommendations and good practice which will be shared more widely to enhance the student experience. 

Who we’re looking for  

We’re looking for colleagues from any academic department, faculty office or professional service across UCL looking to develop their experience of managing a project at an institutional level. As Administrative Secretary, you will need to be able to write clearly and concisely and be highly organised and proactive with first rate administrative and people skills. 

What we provide 

This is a valuable, hands-on professional development opportunity providing exposure to the way UCL’s academic departments work to support their students and deliver a high quality learning experience. 

As Secretary, you’ll experience:  

• Opportunities to meet and work with a wide range of people, including members of UCL’s Senior Management Team, senior education and quality assurance leads and UCL’s brilliant academic students and staff; 
• A warm and supportive review environment where you will be treated as a full member of the Team and encouraged to give your input into the process; 
• Full training, and mentoring at each stage so you feel comfortable with your role. 

Interested? Get in touch!  

If you’re interested in becoming an Administrative Secretary for an IQR, or would like to know more about the role, please contact Sandra Hinton (Quality Assurance Manager) to express your interest. We would also ask you to confirm your line manager’s support for you to become involved and commit the time needed.