Customer Story: Arden University

Digital Transformation of Assessment with Tomax

Arden University offers flexible, high-quality education to over 27,000 students globally through online and blended learning. With 90+ degree courses and 9 campuses in the UK and Berlin, Arden's rapid growth has made it one of the fastest-growing universities in the UK. This growth and ongoing digital investment continues to propel it, with high student volumes expected for the upcoming years.

Why Digital Transformation?

As Arden University's course offering and student base expands, ensuring the integrity of assessment is crucial. Arden sought a platform capable of securing remote, invigilated, and time-controlled exams to meet the standards of various Professional Statutory Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs), such as the ACCA. The solution also had to accommodate in-person exams at study centers simultaneously, and meet the needs of different PSRBs in terms of standards and integrity. The project began with a pilot in January 2024 before scaling fully in April 2024, covering all examined modules. Initially the platform is being used as a standalone solution to align with the implementation of a new student record system, with integration into the University's existing digital infrastructure as a next step.

How we supported Arden University

Arden University chose Tomax's Vix platform because of its comprehensive and tailored digital assessment capabilities. Key features that influenced the decision include:

Customisable Workflows

Flexible workflows adapted to fit Arden's specific needs, ensuring a seamless integration with existing processes.

Secure Online Browser

A locked-down browser environment provides smart device management and advanced AI-driven monitoring, preventing cheating and maintaining exam integrity, while also meeting accessibility requirements.

Remote Invigilation

Sophisticated AI-supported proctoring capabilities with flexible privacy settings, ensuring high standards of exam integrity across different Professional Statutory Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs).

Candidate Authentication

Automated AI-powered candidate verification reduces the administrative workload while maintaining robust security protocols.

Time-Controlled & Flexible Exams

Scheduling and timing functionalities align with the academic calendar, accommodating both mid-term and final exams.

Scalability

Built to handle a growing student base, with infrastructure designed to scale as needs increase.

Integration with Marking System

An automated workflow allows for seamless integration of exam answers with Arden University's existing marking system, streamlining the grading process.

Rosella Brennan
Head of Registry Services, Arden University

How Arden University Succeeded

The success of Arden University's digital assessment transition was driven by strong project management, agile implementation, and active stakeholder engagement.

Recognising that stakeholder engagement was crucial, dedicated teams from both Arden and Tomax formed a digital transformation project team. Regular updates and feedback loops ensured alignment with project goals and clear communication and responsibility throughout the process.

An agile approach allowed for flexibility and quick adjustments based on real-time feedback, keeping the project on track and responsive to evolving needs. Tomax offered bespoke development to align with the University's unique requirements.

Customer Feedback

“Tomax's Vix platform stood out for its reliability, flexibility, and robust support services, tailored specifically to our requirements. Their responsiveness and dedication to customer service made the transition smooth and efficient.”

Project Team, Arden University

The Results

The successful implementation of Tomax's digital assessment platform has enabled students from 32 countries to take their exams, showcasing its global reach. This diverse group includes students from regions such as the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Europe, spanning countries from the United Kingdom to Brazil, and from Germany to South Africa. This highlights the platform's capability to support a truly global student body.

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