Our degree apprenticeship framework
Governance and monitoring of degree apprenticeships
How degree apprenticeships at York St John University are governed and monitored.
Degree apprenticeships must align with the Office for Students Sector-recognised standards and QAA subject benchmark statements as well as the relevant Apprenticeship Standard.
Programmes must demonstrate how apprentices will meet programme learning outcomes, but also the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) laid out in the Standard. Degree apprenticeships are included in the standard quality monitoring and review processes that apply to all University programmes.
Internally apprenticeships are governed by the Degree Apprenticeships Oversight Committee which reports into Academic Board. Oversight of day to day operations is delegated to the Operational Steering Group.
External quality assurance
Externally, Ofsted are responsible for inspecting degree apprenticeships under the Education Inspection Framework. Information and guidance for staff can be found on the Degree Apprenticeships intranet site. End point assessment (EPA) quality assurance is carried out by the Office for Students. Funding and compliance audits are carried out by the Department for Education.
Annual monitoring
Every year the University carries out an annual monitoring process, which allows it to determine the academic health of programmes and take action in response to any concerns. The process is the same as the internal process.
External examiners
The University's normal external examining arrangements apply for degree apprenticeships. In the nomination of external examiners, colleagues should consider both academic and practice-based experience.
For integrated apprenticeships, the external examiner will be involved in the oversight of the EPA. For non-integrated apprenticeships, the external examiner will not play a direct role in the EPA process. The response to the External Examiner's report is considered by School Quality Panels/the University's Quality and Standards Committee, as with all programmes across the University.
Feedback from employers
Employers are an integral part of the apprentice's learning experience and they are partners with the University on delivery of the programme. The regular tri-partite meetings to review the apprentice's progress give an opportunity to receive feedback on the programme from both the apprentice and the employer. Academic staff should also seek feedback from employers when re-validating their programme.
Subcontracting on apprenticeship programmes
Some programmes use a subcontractor to deliver part of an apprenticeship. In these cases staff follow the University approved degree apprenticeship subcontracting policy:
For all apprenticeship students who require maths and/or English at Level 2 or above, the University subcontracts this qualification.
