Degree Accreditation

The Accreditation Programme has taken rapid and significant steps forward over the last few months and a pilot with a limited number of biochemistry and in vivo science degree programmes will begin in June 2011.  At the end of last year, the Society’s Member Organisations (MOs) nominated their members for the formation of three new subgroups which have been working this year to develop specific aspects of the process: the discipline specific guidelines and criteria, guidelines for student placements, and assessment documentation.  This has culminated in the production of an Accreditation Handbook containing all relevant information which will go to the participating institutions and the Assessment Panel. 

Nominations for members of the Accreditation Assessment Panels were sought through the Heads of University Biological Sciences (HUBS) and the Society of Biology’s MOs. Members of the Assessment Panels have been selected and will attend a training event in May before the start of the pilot.

Pending a successful pilot, we hope to launch the Accreditation Programme fully in March 2012.  Potential areas of expansion for the Accreditation Programme are currently being investigated, initially through available reports on skills gaps in the biosciences, which will be followed up by wider stakeholder consultation.  Member Organisations and relevant academics will be sought to consult on any new discipline specific criteria.

Background to the Accreditation Programme

The Accreditation Programme is being developed specifically in response to skills gaps highlighted by health and life science industry in the UK in order to ensure a pipeline of skilled graduates into research and innovation roles in areas of national and strategic importance.  We aim to highlight those degrees which provide students with opportunities to fully develop the skills required for employment in particular sectors.  The Society of Biology will begin by accrediting degrees in Biochemistry and in vivo sciences; following this our vision is to expand the Degree Accreditation Programme into further areas of the biosciences where gaps in graduate skills have been identified by employers.