The objectives of the Quality Assurance Policy is to clearly state the commitment of BirchCooper Graduate Institute (BCGI) to the highest standards of quality in its core mission. The policy takes into account the approaches and principles set out by examining bodies to assure quality in the delivery of their programmes.

  • The institute shall ensure that all programmes are delivered in a way that encourages students to take an active role in the learning process, and that the assessment of students reflects this approach.
  • The institute shall consistently apply defined regulations set out by external examining bodies to cover all phases of the student ‘life-cycle,’ including registration and admission, accessing studies, progression, and certification.
  • The institute shall ensure the provision of appropriate learning and teaching resources and that student support is adequate and readily accessible.
  • The Institute shall collect, analyse, and use relevant information for the effective management of the programmes it offers on behalf of external examining bodies through periodic internal interventions.
  • The Institute shall maintain information about its activities that is clear, accurate, objective, up-to-date and readily accessible.
  • The institute shall monitor and periodically evaluate the programmes it offers to ensure that they achieve the objectives set for them and respond to the needs of students and society.
  • The monitoring of quality assurance and continuous quality improvement shall be the responsibility of Management.
  • The decisions of Management on the implementation of policies shall be taken in accordance with standards set out by external accredited examining bodies.
  • Lecturers shall have operational responsibility for the implementation of activities in line with set programme outline(s), syllabi, and other resource materials by external examining bodies.
  • The Institute shall ensure that students have the correct up to date information and advice on their registered programme(s) and the qualification(s) shall meet their needs and working expectations.
  • The Institute shall register or enter candidates for external examination or assessment in accordance with the awarding body (ies) requirements and procedures for that qualification.
  • The institute’s Internal Quality Assurance Policy shall be reviewed periodically based on circumstances arising from its operations and external examining body (ies) requirements.
  • The institute shall deliver the qualification of a programme as required by the awarding body.

External Examinations- Diploma & Graduate Diploma Programmes

Preparation for External Examinations

  • The Institute shall officially make available information and materials received from the awarding body (ies) to academic staff and students on time in preparation for the external examination, and notify them of advice and instructions relevant to the examinations and assessments.


External Examinations

  • The institute shall implement regulations for the conduct of examinations and controlled assessments as established by the examining body(ies) to ensure that the integrity and security of the examination/assessment is maintained at all times and is not brought into disrepute.
  • The Institute shall put in place procedures to verify the true identity of all registered students at the time of examination or assessment.
  • The Institute shall keep examination dockets secure from the time they are received from the examining body (ies) and during examinations.
  • The institute shall conduct the examination as required by the awarding body (ies).


After External Examination

  • The institute shall investigate any instances of malpractice(s) during and after examinations (which includes maladministration).
  • The Institute shall reconcile, record, package and dispatch all secured examination dockets to external examining body (ies) on completion of examinations.


Release of External Examination Results

  • The institute shall reconcile, record, and make copies of received examination results/certificates before distributing to registered students.
  • The Institute shall keep result files of examined registered students and their contents entirely confidential.
  • The Institute shall distribute certificates to all registered students on receipt without delay and retain all unclaimed certificates under secure conditions in line with the external examining body (ies) policy.
  • The institute shall require the registered student(s) to present themselves personally for collection of their examination results/certificates.
  • The institute shall require the registered student(s) to officially sign for the results/certificates when collecting.

Sources of Information used to Monitor Quality of Teaching

  • Oral presentation and comments
  • Filled evaluation forms.
  • Suggestion box.
  • Performance of students in assignments, tests, and examinations.
  • Lecturers filled Activity Reports
  • Routine visits during sessions

BCGI provides support, guidance, and direction for what is taught, and tools to measure students learning according to specified curriculum content. The mode of delivery of lessons is solely contact based. Management coordinates efforts to improve and enhance the teaching effectiveness of all lecturers by actively seeking and disseminating student feedback.

Lecturers are required to:

  • Follow the curriculum content
  • Effectively plan learning and assessment activities to meet the needs of all students.
  • Employ a range of different, learning and assessment strategies to engage students’ interest.
  • Ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate equally in lessons.

Teaching and Learning Policy

BCGI shall focus in improving the quality of teaching and learning that takes place at the Institute.

The Institute shall ensure that all students are provided with high quality teaching and learning that will lead to high levels of achievement and skills.

The institute shall provide consistency of teaching and learning across every year group/level and class.

The Institute shall foster a culture of learning to both lecturers and students.

BCGI shall raise the levels of achievement for all students, enabling them to achieve their personal best through proper guidance.

The Institute shall adopt a collaborative and enquiry based approach to teaching and learning.

New Lecturers shall receive adequate induction to ensure they fully understand the vision and mission, so as to enable them to embed these strategies in their everyday practice.

The Institute shall focus on the key elements and principles of Assessment for Learning (AFL).

The Institute shall instil a culture of regular summative and formative assessments.

Assessment files shall be created for each module/unit and management shall be required to monitor students’ performance through their assessment files.

Management shall from time to time observe lecturer performance in class during delivery.

Subject lecturers shall ensure that students fully understand the learning objectives and outcomes of each subject/module/unit.

The Institute shall encourage Lecturers to help students understand the outcome of their performance, and what they need to develop.

All Lecturers shall be required to be accountable and responsible in the preparatory and delivery of their sessions in line with the set guidelines of external examination bodies.

Feedback and effective marking shall be encouraged to be done by all lecturers as means to enable students to understand their strengths and weaknesses demonstrated in their work.

Lecturers shall be encouraged to use effective questioning as a tool to challenge students’ thinking.

Lecturers shall be encouraged to actively engage students in participatory approach sessions.

The Institute shall ensure that all classrooms are organised to facilitate learning and the development of independence.

BCGI shall provide a conducive environment that enhances teaching and learning.

All Staff shall be encouraged to help students to reach their full potential irrespective of race, gender, age or ability.

Students shall be encouraged to attend classes regularly and punctually.

All lecturers are required to follow the prescribed curriculum/syllabus of external examination bodies in their delivery.

Feedback from Students on Programmes

Feedback from students is obtained through structured mechanisms. The information is compiled according to programmes and levels, and is used to identify areas that need improvement. Through such periodic reviews, corrective measures are put in place to stimulate performance.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Lecturers at BCGI engage in the Teacher centred approach and the inquiry based approach methods in lesson delivery.

Teacher-Centred Approach

The Lecturer is the main authority figure who passes information to Students. The Students’ primary role is to passively receive information (via lectures and direct instruction) with an end goal of testing and assessment. Student learning is measured through objectively scored tests and assessments.

Inquiry-Based Learning Approach

Inquiry-based learning is a teaching method that focuses on student investigation and hands-on learning. In this approach, the lecturer’s primary role is that of a facilitator, providing guidance and support for students through the learning process. The students play an active and participatory role in their own learning process

Partnerships for Experiential Learning

The institute assists students who would like to be placed on attachment on voluntary basis. The Institute’s managed relations with employers and stakeholders enhances the facilitation of internships and attachments for practical exposure and adaptation which enables Students to be involved in the practical aspects of their chosen profession, hence addressing the issue of experiential learning.

Assessment Policy

BCGI ensures that the process of assessment is applied fairly and consistently on all students, and that the processes employed comply with requirements of external awarding bodies. Continuous assessment is conducted to ascertain the formation of all round profile of students at all levels. The institute ensures that students are assessed properly and fairly on the basis of their learning experience

Where a student is absent from class at the time the assessment is offered, or does not submit the assessment on time, this shall be recorded as one attempt irrespective if a medical certificate has been provided. Consideration for this will be taken into account with the number of attempts allowed.

BCGI students have a right to appeal against assessment decisions which may adversely affect their academic achievement if they feel they are grounds such as error, inconsistency, misinterpretation, or unfairness. In such cases the matter is investigated and a remark of the assessment(s) may be enforced. A report of the outcome of remarking with comment where appropriate is reported to the assessor.