Consultation - Accreditation of Degree Programmes

The current set of accreditation criteria was published in 2001. It is timely to review the criteria to ensure that RSC degree accreditation continues to address higher education policy, to reflect contemporary university practices and to satisfy the needs of the chemical science profession. 

In 2007 the RSC's Education and Qualifications Board agreed the RSC's accreditation policy. The revised criteria take into account this policy and also seek to address issues identified by the Committee for Accreditation and Validation over the past 7 years. Reviewers may want to note the following: 

• Accreditation continues to be set at the masters level. 
• There will be a stronger articulation to the QAA's chemistry benchmark statement and to qualification frameworks. 
• The emphasis remains focussed on course outcomes and the students' ability to solve problems. 
• There continues to be no specification of content or prescribed syllabus so allowing  universities scope to develop their own distinctive chemistry programmes.
• For the first time, masters courses that follow on from bachelors programmes (e.g. MSc, MRes) will be able to seek RSC accreditation. 
• The RSC's expectations regarding programme titles are explained.
• The RSC cannot accredit programmes with an industrial placement if it cannot review placement reports but is willing to enter into confidentiality agreements.   

The RSC is particularly keen to invite comments on the matter of site visits (ref - section 3.4). The RSC has never visited as part of its accreditation process. Reviewers may wish to note that most other UK professional bodies and many European accreditation agencies visit as part of their accreditation processes. 

From the Committee for Accreditation and Validation's perspective it has been noted that several submissions have been deferred pending further information and it is suggested that a site visit would provide more immediate clarification and ultimately expedite the accreditation process. 

Additionally the RSC is willing to explore integrating its accreditation process with the university's own validation and review processes. 

A consultation form is provided to assist you with your response. If you would prefer not to use it, please feel free to respond by any means you choose.