Quality and Governance

The Business Development Unit (BDU) manages the relationships with employers and ensures compliance with apprenticeship funding rules across the four nations. Modules and qualifications linked with apprenticeships are designed and delivered by faculties and are subject to standard OU approval (‘Curriculum approvals’), monitoring (‘Quality Monitoring & Enhancement’) and review (‘Periodic Quality Review’) and external examining processes.  In addition to the University’s standard requirements for assuring the academic standards and quality of its qualifications, apprenticeships are subject to further regulatory requirements specific to each of the four UK nations.

An OU Apprenticeships Academic Framework provides a single point of reference, guidance and support for faculties involved in creating curriculum and assessment for apprenticeships and also includes advice and guidance on the external quality framework for apprenticeships in different nations.

Modules and qualifications delivered as part of an apprenticeship are approved through the standard University governance structures – Faculty Teaching Committees, Qualifications and Assessment Committee (QAC) and Senate.  Faculties that deliver apprenticeships must include at least one member of academic staff on its Teaching Committee who has expertise in apprenticeships.  Authority for the approval of the institutional arrangements with employers rests with Senate via Curriculum Partnerships Committee (CuPC).  A specialist cross University group, the Apprenticeship Quality Advisory Group (AQAG), works with faculties, BDU, and University committees to provide scrutiny and advice on new apprenticeship approvals, as well as monitoring, review and quality enhancement.

If you have questions about the Apprenticeships Quality and Governance at the OU or would like to request copies of the external examiner reports, please email our Apprenticeships Services Team.