Monitoring by Annual Programme Evaluation Report

An NZQA-appointed degree monitor may recommend that a provider apply to discontinue external monitoring and replace it with self-monitoring. This occurs when the monitor considers that a programme and its delivery are stable, and that all conditions for changing its monitoring status are met.

Self-monitoring involves the provision of an Annual Programme Evaluation Report (APER) to NZQA. The application for self-monitoring would be made following consultation with the monitor, and the monitor's written support should be included in the application.

Conditions for the transfer of monitoring responsibility to APER include confirmation from all parties that the provider is appropriately managing the programme, and in particular:

1. That the programme is being implemented as planned and presented at the time of approval, subject to modifications and enhancements broadly consistent with the intent of the programme and its natural evolution
2. That recommendations made by the monitor have been appropriately addressed
3. That mechanisms are in place at the institutional level to ensure independent, external academic input during reviews and consideration of proposed programme enhancements
4. That NZQA will gain sufficient awareness from an annual report of issues affecting the satisfactory provision of the degree.

The application should clearly outline the mechanisms established in respect of (3) above.

Consultation and approval

NZQA will consult with the monitor before reaching a decision. Approval for transferring the responsibility for monitoring to the provider will be granted by the Deputy Chief Executive, Quality Assurance Division following a recommendation from the manager of Registration, Approval and Accreditation. If the application is granted, the involvement of the monitor will be discontinued.

To submit an application:

1. Ensure you have all the required documentation ready for upload.
2. Submit an online application.

Report format

When an application for monitoring a programme by APER has been approved, the provider is responsible for carrying out a review process each year and sending a copy of the APER to NZQA. This is due within three months of the commencement of the academic year. The review will be carried out according to the provider’s quality management system. No specific report format is required.

The purpose of the report is to provide evidence that:

• The programme continues to be implemented as approved
• There has been ongoing consultation with stakeholders including monitoring by an independent academic
• Minor changes and developments have been approved by the provider’s board.

It is important to clearly identify any issues or problems that may have arisen during the year, the ways these matters will be addressed, and the possible need to make an application for major change to a programme.

Report topics

It may be helpful to consider the following list of topics while compiling the APER:

• External academic input (monitoring)
• External industry stakeholders - consultation etc
• Facilities and resources for course delivery
• Internal and external moderation
• Issues/problems identified and proposed actions
• Programme review process, including consistency of delivery on different sites
• Proposed changes to course content, delivery methods or sites, and clear identification of whether these will be Category 1 or 2
• Staff numbers and/or changes
• Staff research
• Student achievement and results
• Student enrolments, attendance and retention
• Student feedback.