Academic Assurance Committee has delegated authority from the Board of Governors to oversee the University’s compliance with appropriate academic quality standards and associated external academic regulation set by bodies such as the Office for Students and Ofsted.
The Committee also oversees the University’s delivery of the Student Success Plan and the Research and Knowledge Exchange Plan.
Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference In accordance with the provision of the Articles of Government, the Board of Governors of the University of Sunderland has established a committee, known as the “Academic Assurance Committee” (the “Committee”), to operate in accordance with the following constitutional arrangements with responsibilities for determining or advising the Board of Governors (the “Board”) on matters set out within the following terms of reference:
The remit of Academic Assurance Committee is to provide the Board of Governors with clear, evidence-based assurance that:
- the University maintains academic standards that meet sector and regulatory requirements;
- the quality of education, the student experience and student outcomes is appropriately monitored and enhanced, and
- the University’s academic governance arrangements are effective.
Its duties and responsibilities are:
- To receive and scrutinise reports from Academic Board on the maintenance of academic standards, programme quality, and the effectiveness of quality assurance processes.
- To seek assurance on the University compliance with and response to satisfy: • OfS academic conditions of registration and associated requirements • UKRI, REF, external research integrity and ethics and KEF rules and requirements • any other relevant external academic-facing compliance activities
- To review evidence of student achievement against the UK Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) and subject benchmark statements, in line with regulatory expectations.
- To receive reports from Academic Board on performance against core academic metrics: key performance indicators (KPIs) and strategic risks, and on actions being taken where outcomes fall below target.
- To receive evidence that Academic Board and its committees are operating effectively and in line with their terms of reference.
- To seek assurance on the effectiveness of the University’s arrangements for academic governance (e.g. structures, policies, processes) as appropriate.
- To be sighted on national developments in the academic regulatory environment and the relevance and effectiveness of the University’s response to them.
- To recommend actions to strengthen academic governance or assurance processes as necessary.
- To have escalated to it, exceptional matters of academic-related non-compliance / reportable events / investigation / inspection / audit outcomes and seek assurance on improvement plans and lessons learned as an outcome.
- To receive assurance on the University’s performance against the Student Success Plan 2030 and Research and Innovation Plan 2030.
- To provide an annual report to the Board of Governors summarising the evidence received and the level of assurance on academic standards, quality and outcomes, highlighting any significant risks or concerns requiring Board’s attention.
Membership
- Trevor McMillan (Chair)
- Scott Bullock
- Gavin Brooks
- Debra Leeves
- Academic Staff Governor - Vacancy
- Suraj Acharya
Advisers:
The Committee may invite and/or engage internal or external advisers to provide expertise and contribution for relevant items. The attendance and/or participation by advisers will be indicated on the agenda and within the minutes.
Quorum:
Three (3) members.
Frequency of Meetings:
The Committee will normally meet at least four times in each academic year.
Clerk Arrangements:
The statutory clerk to the Board of Governors (or nominated deputy) shall be the clerk to the Committee.
Approved by the Board of Governors
Date: 3 December 2025