The overall aim of the project is the development of a comprehensive database of undergraduate programme data to permit extraction of data in a standard format (XCRI) for access by authorised external agencies (such as UCAS, HEFCE, HESA) and to support quality assurance processes. This will cover full-time home/EU undergraduate provision but also extend as applicable to part-time provision, distance learning degrees and off-campus provision delivered collaboratively; these are programmes which it can be more difficult to identify from existing sources such as the UCAS website. It will ensure a common information source for all students including overseas applicants for on-campus provision and those applying to programmes delivered by collaborative partners. This development will involve a review of current programme data structures and associated processes for capture and maintenance of this data to ensure their alignment with the requirements for the production of XCRI–ready data. Quality assurance processes will be redesigned both to assure the quality of the information within the system and to achieve economies in the operation of the processes themselves by capitalising on the on-line provision of information.

Course Data Stage 2 University of Sunderland

The overall aim of the project is the development of a comprehensive database of undergraduate programme data to permit extraction of data in a standard format (XCRI) for access by authorised external agencies (such as UCAS, HEFCE, HESA) and to support quality assurance processes. 

This will cover full-time home/EU undergraduate provision but also extend as applicable to part-time provision, distance learning degrees and off-campus provision delivered collaboratively; these are programmes which it can be more difficult to identify from existing sources such as the UCAS website. It will ensure a common information source for all students including overseas applicants for on-campus provision and those applying to programmes delivered by collaborative partners. This development will involve a review of current programme data structures and associated processes for capture and maintenance of this data to ensure their alignment with the requirements for the production of XCRI–ready data. Quality assurance processes will be redesigned both to assure the quality of the information within the system and to achieve economies in the operation of the processes themselves by capitalising on the on-line provision of information.  

Objectives

  • Development and approval of a business plan
  • Establishment of the parameters of the XCRI project with respect to programme data
  • Investigation and identification of the data sources required for production of the XCRI feed
  • Development of a database of undergraduate programmes that will be used to produce XCRI feeds
  • Production of tracking information for the XCRI feed
  • Redesign of quality assurances processes to align with, draw on and support the on-line information source
  • Identification of the implications for associated institutional policies

Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes

  • Undergraduate programme data in a single, standard format
  • Formal requirements of the database to hold programme data
  • Technical design to permit implementation of the database
  • User interfaces with access screens for various levels of user
  • User manuals/guidelines in support of the database
  • Revised quality management processes including programme approval and review drawing on and supporting the database
  • Staff development to support on-going maintenance and accuracy of the database
  • Forward plans for wider use of XCRI within the institution
  • Charging policy for provision of information to third parties

Project Staff

Project Manager
Project Team

Documents & Multimedia

Summary
Start date
12 January 2012
End date
29 March 2013
Funding programme
e-Learning programme
Strand
Course Data: making the most of course information
Lead institutions

University of Sunderland

Topic