DEVELOPMENTS IN UK QUALITY ASSURANCE

Anthony McClaran

Chief Executive, QAA

June 2012

Developments in quality assurance

i) Transition to new review methods

ii) Common framework for UK quality assurance

iii) The new UK Quality Code for Higher Education

iv) Key information sets

v) Engaging students in quality assurance

vi) Government response to White Paper and Technical Consultation

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW IN ENGLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND (IRENI)

Institutional Review in England & Northern Ireland

Began September 2011 (replacing Institutional Audit)

Four main judgments on: Threshold standards Learning opportunities for students Enhancement Public information (from September 2012)

16 reviews for 2011-12 26 planned for 2012-13

INTEGRATED QUALITY & ENHANCEMENT REVIEW (IQER)

Review method for Further Education Colleges

Introduced in the 2007-08 academic year by QAA

IQER ends this summer

SINCE 2007:

AROUND 500 DEVELOPMENTAL ENGAGEMENTS & SUMMATIVE

REVIEWS COMPLETED

WHAT FOLLOWS IQER?

COMMON REVIEW FRAMEWORK

IRENI(Institutional

Review in England & Northern

Ireland)

RHEFE(Review of HE in

FE)

UK Quality Code for HE

A COMMON FRAMEWORK FOR THE UK

UK-wide framework of quality assurance

Applied to all providers in the higher education market

Adapted in different countries

Recognising the value of enhancement

“All UK higher education, irrespective of how it is funded, should be underpinned by the same

quality assurance framework.”

From QAA Response to Technical Consultation

THE NEW UK QUALITY CODE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Replaces the Academic Infrastructure

For the first time, includes new chapters on: Learning & Teaching Student Engagement Student Support Information about Higher Education

Published in chapters, following consultation

First chapters released December 2011

Complete Code to be published by end of 2013

CONSULTATION TIMETABLE FOR THE CODE

Consultations completed on chapters for: Student engagement Information about higher education provision Research degrees

Upcoming consultations: Learning & teaching (May/June) Collaborative provision (Aug-Oct) Student support (Oct-Nov) Complaints & appeals (Nov-Dec) Threshold academic standards (Jan-Feb 13) Assessment & accreditation of prior learning (Mar-Apr 13) Programme design, approval, monitoring and review (May-June 13) Admissions (June-July 13)

KEY INFORMATION & INFORMED CHOICES

Public information: new formal requirement for higher education - Key Information Sets (KIS)

QAA will make formal judgements on public information provision from this September

Information must be: Fit for purpose Accessible Trustworthy

QAA COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS

From the QAA Strategy 2011-14:

Aim 1: To meet students' needs and be valued by them

We will work to ensure that all students get the best possible educational experience. We will support universities and colleges as

they aim to meet and shape students’ expectations. We will communicate clearly to students about standards and quality, and will work with them as partners. We will respond to the views and

diverse needs of students, and will protect their interests.

ENGAGING STUDENTS IN QUALITY ASSURANCE

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Students on QAA Board

Student Sounding Board

Student reviewers

Student consultations

New Concerns & Complaints procedure

PUBLIC INFORMATION

Simplifying our language

Shorter, clearer reports and publications

Materials tailored for students

Researching and understanding what matters

to students

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO CONSULTATIONS

No primary legislation (HE Bill/ Draft HE Bill)

University Title for institutions with more than 1,000 students (from 4,000)

Alternative providers will come under: Student number controls QAA quality assurance framework

Reinforcement of a risk-based quality assurance approach

www.qaa.ac.uk