JAMES | Benefits of Accreditation

BENEFITS OF JAMES INDUSTRY ACCREDITATION

Why JAMES Accreditation ‘Brings Value’ to the institution, the course, students and parents.

JAMES Accreditation is a registered Professional Statutory Regulating Body (PSRB).
Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) is a general term used to describe those organisations that work with the University in the approval, monitoring and review of programmes that lead to a professional or vocational qualification, and which exist to ensure that national and/or international standards within the professions are met.

It is widely acknowledged that engagement between HEIs and PSRBs is essential. Access to professions is a key element of the Government’s plans to increase social mobility, and PSRB involvement with HE and Further Education (FE) is of high importance. PSRBs provide vital external points of reference and help to support HEIs graduate employability aims and maintain or strengthen their reputation. (The Higher Education Better Regulation Group (HEBRG))

JAMES is comprised of music and media industry professionals who bring specialist knowledge and experience to The JAMES Course Accreditation Scheme, careers advice and specialist support for universities, students and parents.

Benefits to the Institution
JAMES Accreditation helps a course stand out amongst comparative courses,
because it:
  • Provides confidence that a course has been reviewed by industry and is relevant in preparing graduates for working in industry.
  • Has been assessed by practicing professionals and thereby has industry recognition of being ‘highly relevant and fit for purpose’.
  • Gives assurance that a course can prepare graduates with the technical, aesthetic, mental and emotional strengths, plus the business skills that they will need for a career in industry.
  • Proves a course has relevant industry links for QAA inspections.

Benefits to the Course Team
JAMES Accreditation delivers direct connection with Industry that the students will expect to work in and provides:
  • Opportunities for course leaders to tap into latest work practices and technologies.
  • An assurance that course content is as up-to-date and as relevant as possible.
  • A named JAMES Representative from the JAMES Assessor or Executive will liaise with the course teams to maintain a constant connection between JAMES and the accredited course/s.
  • Access to the JAMES Event Library: industry practitioners delivering masterclasses, guest lectures and other events, otherwise not readily available. (Lecture/masterclass fees apply). Institutions who obtain JAMES
  • Integrated Learning Centre (ILC) status for running four or more courses may be entitled to one free masterclass each year from the Event Library.
  • JAMES’ regional network meetings where course leaders and lecturers are invited to attend events held in industry locations, allowing an opportunity to experience industry at work. A few examples of past locations are AMS Neve in Burnley, the British Sound Library Archive in London and Parr Street Studios in Liverpool.

Benefits to the Students
JAMES Accreditation is a sign of quality and gives confidence of Best Practice by assuring that:
  • Students’ wellbeing is part of the course structure.
  • Students’ health, particularly protection from hearing loss is part of the course and institution practice.
  • Students have options to attend industry-run Summer Schools and achieve recognition from JAMES’ annual student ‘Outstanding Achievement’ awards.
  • Students have access to a JAMES Graduation Certificate - co-ordinated by the course team.
  • Student participating in JAMES Accreditation as part of the student interviews will be provided with one pair of free ACS ear defenders with ‘JAMES' branding.

Benefits to the Students’ Parents and Sponsors
JAMES is independent and as such is impartial; we are not supported by individual hardware or software suppliers. Our accreditation process is carried out using the information provided by the institution and is based on practical, ‘real world’ and current industry experience.

JAMES Accreditation gives access to a wide network that includes:
  • Facilities and resources.
  • Other institutions and courses, where best practice can be shared and confirmed.
  • A professional network of practitioners.
  • Employers’ recognition of courses that are awarded by industry and consistent with industry and employment needs.

What happens during a JAMES Accreditation?
A pre-visit online meeting via ZOOM is organised with the course team.

A one-day inspection visit is arranged. During the visit, assessors will:
  • Meet with senior management, administration, marketing, the librarian and the technical team.
  • Tour the facilities including a visit to the library and a view of the academic support systems.
  • Meet with students (and graduates) from each year of the course.
  • View student course (audio and video) work along with the assessment documentation.
  • Meet again with the full course team to discuss the course and questions raised by the inspection and provide initial feedback with recommendations/commendations.

After the visit:
  • Each assessor completes a report which is reviewed by the JAMES Accreditation panel after which a confidential report/formal awards and recommendations/commendations are made.

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