Northumbria University Institutional Case Study: Meaningful Student Engagement Programme, Higher Education Academy

“Student engagement is concerned with the interaction between the time, effort and other relevant resources invested by both students and their institutions intended to optimise the student experience and enhance the learning outcomes and development of students and the performance, and reputation of the institution”.1 The Higher Education Academy’s Meaningful Student Engagement Programme aims to help universities enhance the engagement of disabled students in the design and delivery of learning and teaching. Northumbria University was one of ten institutions selected to participate in this programme. The focus at Northumbria was on inclusive assessment and this was achieved through the SEA (Student Engagement with Assessment) Project. Commencing in January 2011, the overall aim of the project was to create a roadmap for the university to move towards more alternative and inclusive assessment methods and practice. Working in partnership with students, current and inclusive assessment practices have been explored. This has led to a number of pilots with staff, students and the students union looking at different aspects of inclusive assessment. This case study reports on the main findings from this project