The University’s Validation Operation
“Validation is the process by which an awarding institution judges that a programme developed and delivered by another institution is of an appropriate quality and standard to lead to its award.” (The Quality Assurance Agency.)

While the majority of the University’s students study in Wales, the University’s very successful and highly regarded international validation operation is also an important dimension of its work. This enables overseas institutions to offer the University of Wales degree at an equivalent standard to the degree offered in Wales itself. Validation is important in fostering links between Wales and other countries and many of the University’s graduates are now in positions of influence overseas. Last year, more than 16,000 students were registered on validated courses of the University of Wales and nearly 4,000 graduated with the University’s degree. Altogether, more than 40,000 students have been awarded degrees since the validation operation began in 1975.

The maintenance of academic standards is of paramount importance for validated courses, as it is for courses offered within Wales. The University is rightly regarded as a role model in this respect. Its processes compare very favourably with those of other institutions in the UK and the positive report received following a recent independent review, favourable audit reports from the Quality Assurance Agency and the University’s reputation overseas attest clearly to the high esteem in which its validation work is held.

The recent review of the University’s Validation and Franchising was commissioned in 2004 by the University of Wales Council, in response to a recommendation in the Williams Report on the University’s membership, structures and modus operandi. The three independent panel members, who were drawn from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, the University of Birmingham and St Martin’s College of Higher Education, were asked to examine the benefits and risks of validation and franchising to the federal University and its accredited institutions, To undertake the review they consulted widely, both within the University of Wales and further afield, as well as taking into consideration the available written evidence, such as Quality Assurance agency reports on audits of validated and franchised provision. In its favourable report on the provision, the panel highlighted the extensive, long-term experience of validation which had been built up by the University over a long period, together with the impressive quality and dedication of the staff of the Validation Unit, and expressed the belief that, with greater collaboration from within the accredited institutions, even more could be achieved of mutual benefit.

The Validation Annual Graduation Celebration
The University of Wales hosts an annual Graduation Celebration in Cardiff to mark the achievements of students graduating with validated awards. In 2007, more than a thousand guests from seventeen different countries – from as far away as China and Japan to as close as England and Scotland – congregated at Cardiff City Hall in Cardiff.

Since its inception in 1998, this colourful event has continued to grow in size as graduates and their family and friends from all over the globe gather in Cardiff to celebrate together. As part of this event, Ede and Ravenscroft - the University’s official robe makers - are on hand to ensure all graduates are attired in the appropriate academic dress for their formal presentation. Officers from the University of Wales also take part to offer their congratulations during the formal proceedings.

The tickets for this event are free and all graduates of validated schemes are invited to join in this annual Celebration. The next event is to be held in Spring 2009 at Cardiff City Hall.