Risk-based monitoring and enhancement (RiME) processes
The University of Suffolk adopts a continuous, risk-based approach to monitoring the quality and academic standards of provision within the University and its partner institutions, as outlined in the procedure for risk-based monitoring and enhancement (or RiME).
The overall approach encompassed in RiME is for relevant teams and committees to take a risk-based view of their provision, whilst also identifying good practice and opportunities for enhancement.
Our introductory guide to RiME processes provides an overview of our approach, supplementing the formal procedure.
All modules are evaluated every time they are delivered. Our guide to module evaluation provides a brief summary of the process, which results in the completion of a module evaluation form by the module team. The process is informed by students’ feedback collected through the University's module questionnaire, usually issued to students online. Where a hard copy is employed, please use the standard version of the module questionnaire.
At course level there is an emphasis on continuous monitoring of provision via Student Voice Forums (previously Course Committee) and the maintenance of a rolling course action plan, with any issues or good practice feeding up to school or partner level. The process is informed by regular review of the delivery of individual modules, by consideration of student retention and achievement data, and by reflection on feedback from students, external examiners and other stakeholders (for example employers or placement providers).
In addition to ongoing monitoring through the Student Voice Forum (previously Course Committee), partner institutions are required to complete a course level annual monitoring report for each course or group of cognate courses falling within the partnership arrangement.
Find out more
- Guidance on managing Student Voice Forum meetings (see also summary of changes for 2021/22)
- Guide to Student Voice Forums for course teams
- Guide to Student Voice Forums for student representatives
- Student Voice Forum terms of reference
- Student Voice Forum agenda templates
We have produced a range of course data fact sheets to help student representatives understand some of the data reports considered by Student Voice Forums, including reports relating to:
At school and partner level, academic committees are expected to continually monitor their provision to ensure that academic standards are maintained and that students are offered a high quality learning experience.
Each school and partner also organises an annual RiME event to review the previous academic year, involving staff, students and relevant external stakeholders. The discussions and outcomes of the RiME event feed into an annual school or partner RiME report and action plan. You can find out more in our guide to RiME activities at school and partner level.
Where partner provision is confined to a single course or group of cognate courses under the oversight of a single Student Voice Forum, a separate RiME event and RiME report may not be required and a course level annual monitoring report may suffice. Please contact the Quality team for further information.
At institutional level, school and partner RiME reports and action plans (along with RiME reports from relevant professional services teams) feed into a University of Suffolk annual academic report, which is presented to Senate. The report summarises key developments, progress, achievements and areas for future enhancement across the University and its partner institutions.
The Quality team also maintains a centrally initiated risk alert process. This is used where key performance indicators, operational information or feedback appears to indicate a specific risk to the continued quality or standard of an aspect of provision. In such situations, a risk alert is issued and the team involved are expected to explore and report on the issue(s), form an action plan and present their findings to an audit team for approval (using a risk alert audit report form). The risk alert audit process is intended to be supportive and constructive. Where a course team, school or partner believes it would be helpful, they can request the issue of a risk alert in support of their own exploration of issues or situations. You can find out more in our guide to the risk alert process.