Re-accreditation 03 June 2014

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Wesley Institute

TEQSA has determined, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to renew accreditation of the following higher education courses of study offered by Wesley Institute for a period of seven years until 3 June 2021:

• Bachelor of Dance
• Associate Degree of Dance

TEQSA has, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed two conditions on the accreditation of the above courses of study. Wesley Institute must, before enrolling any new students into either of the courses:

Condition 1:

Employ a suitable academic leader, to the satisfaction of TEQSA, with a substantial history of academic scholarship in the discipline of Dance, to have responsibility for assurance of academic standards within the School of Dance, reporting to the Head of Dance; and

Condition 2:

Re-develop all unit content and assessment and overall course structure, to the satisfaction of TEQSA, in line with AQF level requirements relating to cognitive skills, and in such a manner as to ensure overall course coherence and achievement of expected learning outcomes.

Background to Decision

Wesley Institute submitted an application for renewal of accreditation of two courses of study under Part 4 of the TEQSA Act. Subsection 45(4) of the TEQSA Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self-accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 56(4) enables TEQSA to renew accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for the Decision

TEQSA has determined that the two higher education courses of study submitted by Wesley Institute for accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to Wesley Institute's application for accreditation of two courses of study is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as Wesley Institute is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards. TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards involve a number of matters that may affect Wesley Institute's capacity to manage and deliver these higher education awards.

• The broad issues which relate to the Bachelor of Dance and Associate Degree of Dance include:

  a) Risk that course content will not provide appropriate engagement by students in intellectual inquiry consistent with the nature and level of the units being taught and the expected learning outcomes of the courses of study.

  b) Risk that assessments will not provide opportunities for students to demonstrate achievement of knowledge and skills appropriate to the nature and level of the units being taught and the expected learning outcomes of the courses of study.

In accordance with subsections 53(2) and 53(3) of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the registration of a higher education provider, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.