the open university in scotland strategic plan 2012–17 ... · the open university in scotland...

The Open University in Scotland Strategic Plan 2012–17

Securing the Mission

The Strategic Plan 03

Our Mission 04

Our Values 05

Our Strategy 06

The changing environment 07

The changing environment in Scotland 08

The Open University today 09

The Open University in Scotland today 10

The Open University in Scotland going forward 11

Our Strategic Intent 2012–17 12

Priorities in detail 13

How we will measure success 21

Contents


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This is The Open University in Scotland’s Strategic Plan for the period 2012–2016/17. Originally formulated in 2012, it has been reviewed annually and this version of the Plan reflects the changes that have been made over time as a result of developments in the external environment and internally.

The most significant change has been the extension of the Plan through to the 2016/17 academic year. This extension reflects the continued relevance of the existing Plan and its central strategic intent to secure the mission and thrive as a University by delivering a step change in how effectively we help students achieve their study goals. It also reflects the change of institutional leadership, with both a new Vice-Chancellor and new Pro-Chancellor in 2015.

The substance of the Strategic Plan remains the same but the dates have been revised and additional 2015 updates have been added to reflect the progress and developments that have taken place since its creation in 2012.

The Open University is a successful and unique pan-UK University, committed to meeting the needs of its students and stakeholders in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as internationally. It has been undertaking research and delivering high quality, innovative, flexible higher education for over 40 years. In a rapidly changing world, this Plan outlines how the University intends to continue doing so.

The Strategic Plan

Our Mission

The Open University is open to people, places, methods and ideas

Tha an Oilthigh Fhosgailte fosgailte do dhaoine, àiteachan,

dòighean agus beachdan


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Inclusive

• We play a unique role in society, making Higher Education open to all

• We promote social justice through the development of knowledge

and skills

Innovative

• We lead the learning revolution, placing innovation at the heart

of our teaching and research

• We continuously seek new and better ways to inspire and

enable learning

• We create world class research and teaching

Responsive

• We respond to the needs of individuals and employers and the

communities in which they live and work

• We are dedicated to supporting our students’ learning success

Our Values


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Our Strategy

Developing strategic partnerships in Scotland

2015 updateThe expression of the student success objective has been honed to reflect the progress made in the delivery of qualification-focused study experience.

The wording of the financial sustainability objective has been refined to reflect the University’s focus through to 2017 on both income diversification and cost control.


Deliver an outstanding student experience

Enhance the capabilities of the University

The Open University is open to people, places, methods and ideas

Secure the Mission and thrive as a University

by delivering a step-change in

how effectively we help students achieve

their study goals

A market-leading enquirer experience that gets potential students efficiently and effectively onto the right course for them

A study experience that maximises student success whilst maintaining academic standards

World leadership in delivering journeys from informal to formal learning through open media

Research and scholarship that is externally recognised for excellence and impact

People and a culture that enable us to deliver high performance and respond flexibly and effectively to changes in our marketplace

Flexible, integrated and robust systems that support the University and its students

Enhanced financial sustainability through control of costs and greater diversification of net income

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• The Open University, as a pan-UK institution operating across each of the four UK nations, is very different from other Higher Education Institutions. This difference is part of what makes us unique.

The changing environment

The funding and student finance regimes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will become even more divergent from 2012/13.

2015 updateThe developments anticipated when the Strategic Plan was originally formulated have played out broadly as expected. The key developments since 2012 have been:

• the decline in the part-time Undergraduate and Postgraduate markets within the UK as a whole but most particularly in England, reducing the University’s income and requiring greater control of costs

• an increasing focus amongst students and government funders on employability, with Universities increasingly competing on the basis of their employability outcomes

• increasing divergence between the UK nations,

• The UK Higher Education sectors are becoming increasingly diversified with radical changes to the fees and funding system in England in particular having a significant impact on the University’s institutional strategy.

particularly in relation to fees, funding and student financial support arrangements

• increasing concentration and competition for research funding

• the continued growth and evolution of Open Educational Resources including the emergence of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)

• the slow emergence to date of private providers, including online enablers, but with the continued potential for future disruption

The Open University is effectively managing the risks, threats and opportunities arising from these changes to ensure the continued sustainability of the institution.


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The Open University in Scotland brings to Scotland significant additional benefits derived from being part of the UK’s largest Higher Education Institution. From this position of strength we are committed to delivering the knowledge and skills necessary for securing social justice and a buoyant economy in Scotland.

• Over the period of this plan, the Scottish Funding Council aims to increase the financial support to the University incrementally. New ways of working will bring new expectations of the quality and quantity of our offering.

• Higher Education is free for full-time students in Scotland but part-time students are still required to pay tuition fees. The Open University in Scotland continues to argue for parity of treatment to allow students to base their decision to study through the mode that best suits their aspirations and circumstances.

• Increasing competition and economic conditions present us with challenges but we have increased our market share in a part-time market that has contracted.

• A period of change lies ahead for the college sector with whom The Open University in Scotland has a strong record of partnership. The Scottish Government has prioritised the redesign of the learner journey through school, college and university.

• Changing demographics will see a greater demand in the future coming from mature students seeking to re-train or up-skill and those wishing to participate in lifelong learning.

The changing environment in Scotland

2015 updateThe key developments in Scotland since 2012 have been:

• the introduction of the Part-time Fee Grant in July 2013

• increasing focus by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council on widening access

• the merger of colleges in Scotland and the establishment of regional college boards

• the introduction of the outcome agreement process between universities and the Scottish Funding Council

• growing emphasis on new technologies, new pedagogies and the effective use of publicly available online resources


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The Open University today

The Open University has unique capabilities and distinctive ways of working which enable us to compete effectively and which we will retain and develop further.

• The Open University is focused on providing high quality, flexible higher education.

• We have an open access policy.

• We have a unique model of supported open learning.

• We are committed to extending opportunities for educational success to those who would otherwise be excluded from higher education.

• We are a trusted, well-known brand with unique reach, for example, through our partnership with the BBC and our strong presence on Apple iTunesU.

• We are a pan-UK University, operating at scale and delivering across each of the four UK nations.

2015 updateThe Open University maintains its unique capabilities and distinctive ways of working. A key development has been the University’s leadership in informal learning with the launch of FutureLearn and the continued development of OpenLearn, both of which extend free high quality learning opportunities to a wide-ranging audience.

The Open University in Scotland is leading the cross-sector Opening Educational Practices project to facilitate best practice in open education in Scotland.


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The Open University in Scotland approaches the changing environment from a position of strength. This includes a diverse student base, the highest levels of student satisfaction, strong differentiation from other providers in both teaching and student support and a community of passionately committed staff.

• We are in a unique position as a national provider of flexible learning to support the Scottish Government’s commitment of putting learners at the centre.

• We have reach across the whole of Scotland, working in partnership with employers from the public, private and third sectors, colleges, schools and trade unions.

• We both support and benefit from the University’s international activity.

• The Open University has a strong reputation for research and knowledge transfer which enhances the academic and cultural contributions we make to Scottish civil society.

The Open University in Scotland today

2015 updateThe Open University in Scotland maintains this strategic focus with particular emphasis on widening access, work-based learning and enhancing employability, innovative pedagogy and student support, and facilitating best practices in open education.


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The Open University in Scotland’s Strategic Plan renews and strengthens our commitment to Scotland.

Through this plan we have set an ambitious yet realistic set of objectives to maintain and strengthen our position as Scotland’s leading provider of flexible learning. We will continue to play a key and unique role in the Scottish Higher Education sector but in the changing environment within and across the nations of the United Kingdom, we can do more to ensure that the potential of our approach to learning is fully exploited. We will continue to welcome all types of student and maintain the diversity of our student base.

Like all other HEIs in Scotland we benefit from public funds via the Scottish Funding Council and we are working with them through the outcome agreement process to continue to ensure that this funding is used as effectively as possible to achieve the best possible value for money.

One important element of this work is the development of the regional coherence agenda which allows us to build upon our excellent partnership working across Scotland. These partner organisations move beyond traditional boundaries within the HE and college sectors and include employers, public, private, as well as third sector organisations. As a national provider, we are uniquely placed to contribute to this particular ambition. Our flexible approach also allows us to achieve the Scottish Government’s ambition of redesigning the entire learner journey through school, college, university and life long learning.

There are many advantages to being part of the UK’s largest higher educational institution. The different environments in which we operate across the UK have never been quite so challenging, but we are dealing with these challenges from a position of significant strength. We will ensure we continue to grow in stature and ambition.

The Open University in Scotland going forward


Our Strategic Intent 2012–17

The Open University’s strategic intent 2012-17 is to secure

the mission and thrive as a University by delivering a

step-change in how effectively we help students

achieve their study goals.

In addition in Scotland, we will enhance our position as the

leading provider of flexible learning.


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Enquirer experience 14

Student success 15

Journeys from informal to formal learning 16

Research and scholarship 17

People and culture 18

Systems 19

Financial sustainability 20

Priorities in detail


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The improvement in performance The Open University in Scotland is seeking:

• Improved enquiry to registration experience for those to whom we can offer a course of study.

• More effectively recruit students onto the right course of study.

• Increased effectiveness of attracting online enquirers.

• Growth in new groups of learners from work-based learning, colleges and disadvantaged backgrounds.

The key activities that The Open University in Scotland will focus on:

• Ensuring information, advice and guidance appropriate to Scotland is available to enquirers.

• Implementing a fully integrated on- and off-line pre-study experience for individuals and cohorts from external partners.

• Working with college partners to increase the number of new Open University students with an HN background.

• Working with relevant agencies to increase the percentage of entrants from disadvantaged backgrounds in Scotland.

• Maintaining The Open University’s contribution to the provision of HE provision in rural Scotland.

OU in Scotland Senior Owners: Lucy MacLeod, Depute Director (Students) and Martha Caddell, Depute Director (Learning, Teaching and Curriculum)

Priorities in detail: Enquirer experience A market-leading enquirer experience that gets potential students efficiently and effectively onto the right course for them

2015 going forward Contributing to the Scottish Government’s Commission on Widening Access.

Developing a widening access framework using open educational resources to support our widening access work.

Increasing the number of schools, including those that are part of the Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP), involved in our Young Applicants in Schools Scheme.


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Student success

A study experience that maximises student success whilst maintaining academic standards


• Increased student satisfaction.

• Improved student completion rates.

• Improved qualification completion rates.

• Successful transition into Open University study and beyond.

• Enhanced employability of Open University students and wider recognition of the unique graduate qualities of Open University students.


• Implementing a student journey and learner support framework, an induction programme and a seamless online student experience, with a new student charter.

• The re-organisation of the student support structure around Student Support Teams.

• Ensuring that students continue to be able to undertake quality modular study which articulates with the implementation of a new qualification framework at undergraduate level.

• Seeking to develop a mutually beneficial national model of college campus based progression to degree study.

• Completion of Skills Utilisation projects and implementation of work-based learning programme.

• Ensuring successful delivery of Third Sector Internships Scotland and dissemination of learning to the HE sector in Scotland.

OU in Scotland Senior Owners: Lucy MacLeod, Depute Director (Students), and Martha Caddell, Depute Director (Learning, Teaching & Curriculum)

2015 going forward Embedding Student Support Teams to improve student retention, progression and satisfaction by integrating academic and non-academic support. Continuing to ensure that under dual affiliation arrangements, students in Scotland receive curriculum support in the context of their nation of residence.

Increasing participation in workplace learning.

Expanding the back on course Scotland service for full time undergraduate students who have withdrawn from higher education in other Scottish universities before completing their studies.


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Journeys from informal to formal learning World leadership in delivering journeys from informal to formal learning through open media


• Increased number of informal learners converting to formal learning.

• Improved brand awareness and reaching greater audiences.

• Innovative curriculum. development through open media.

• Increased the number and nature of strategic partnerships which facilitate journeys from informal to formal learning.

• Broader cultural engagement strategy across Scotland.


• Expanding our use of open media platforms and technologies.

• Increasing Scotland relevant content in informal and formal learning where appropriate.

• Developing open media to maintain and enhance access to Higher Education in Scotland.

• Increasing student-generated content in curriculum.

• Delivering a thought- provoking and inspiring events programme with routes into formal learning.

OU in Scotland Senior Owners: James Miller, Director and Martha Caddell, Depute Director (Learning, Teaching & Curriculum)

2015 going forward Leading the cross sector Opening Educational Practices project and ensuring its future sustainability.

Using Open Educational Resources (OER) to support widening access work in Scotland.


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Research and scholarship

Research and scholarship that is externally recognised for excellence and impact


• Greater awareness of The Open University’s research, scholarship and knowledge exchange and of its benefits to Scotland.

• Improved environment for research and scholarship.

• External income increased by diversifying income sources amid increasing competition.

• Increase in number and range of research collaborations with Scottish institutions.


• Contributing to development and dissemination of evidence-based practice in learning and teaching.

• Contributing where appropriate to the institutional REF submission.

• Contributing to review of Open University research student experience and opportunities for growth.

• The more effective use of associate lecturer expertise.

• Management and co-ordination of operational activities, which have deliverables and/or milestones relating to knowledge exchange income and research, research communications, research impact, research environment and academic reputation.

OU in Scotland Senior Owners: James Miller, Director and Martha Caddell, Depute Director (Learning, Teaching & Curriculum)

2015 going forward Recognising The Open University in Scotland’s contribution to knowledge exchange through its delivery of informal learning.

Further to The Open University’s performance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) being in line with its stated objectives, progressing towards the new OU Research Plan.

Continuing to support The Open University’s collaborative research centres in Scotland: Innogen with the University of Edinburgh and the Institute for Social Marketing with the University of Stirling.


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People and culture

People and culture that enable us to deliver high performance and respond flexibly and effectively to changes in our marketplace


• Improved leadership capability.

• Improved staff performance focusing on outcomes.

• Increased student and customer focus.

• Improved ability to manage change.

• Increased engagement with strategic objectives.

• Improved culture of communication and consultation with staff across the university community.


• Participating in leadership competencies and associated development programmes.

• Developing where appropriate a customised Scotland specific staff development programme.

• Supporting professional development of staff in use of VLE.

• Participating in new online and workshop programmes to increase customer and student focus and embedding this focus in induction, leadership events and performance reviews.

• Using online learning assets to promote new ways of working through the Working Smarter change programme.

• Undertaking Change reviews after all major re-structuring events.

• Ensuring regular internal communications and consultation activities.

OU in Scotland Senior Owners: James Miller, Director Martha Caddell, Depute Directer (Learning, Teaching and Curriculum) and Kate Signorini, Depute Director (Planning, Resources and Engagement)

2015 going forward Greater focus on building the capacity of the University to manage change. This includes projects to establish:

• a vibrant, self-sustaining change community

• a standard set of change competencies, role descriptions and tailored training programmes

• assessment of change capability maturity


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Systems

Flexible, integrated and robust systems that support the University and its students


• Systems that allow for nation specific requirements and are fit for purpose in Scotland.

• Streamlined systems environment to enable staff to do their jobs more effectively.

• Improve the effectiveness of online provision to remote and rural communities.


• Influencing systems design to be appropriate for Scottish context.

• Exploring opportunities to engage with systems expertise across Scotland to enhance the University’s capabilities.

• Implementing an enhanced Curriculum and Student Management system (Vantage) to support Strategic Priorities, increase efficiencies and add flexibility to enable more agility in future systems.

• Contributing to public policy which supports greater access to internet and broadband in Scotland.

OU in Scotland Senior Owners: James Miller, Director and Kate Signorini, Depute Director (Planning, Resources and Engagement)

2015 going forward Key elements of the Systems Futures Programme have now been delivered; remaining systems developments fall into two categories:

• student-facing systems which support the work of the Enquirer Experience and Student Success Priorities will be taken forward through these priorities

• a series of technical uplift projects to upgrade the core infrastructure of the University will continue to be the responsibility of IT


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Financial sustainability Enhanced financial sustainability through control of costs and greater diversification of net income


• Meeting Scottish Funding Council targets.

• Increased income from the planned incremental rise in public investment in HE in Scotland.

• Increased income from fees derived from growth in student numbers.

• Income and costs managed appropriately and flexibly to provide value for money for part-time tuition fees.

• Increased income from diverse sources (including business to business, employer engagement, collaborative working).

• Reduced University costs.


• Aligning activity and outputs with the outcome agreement for regionally coherent access and employability provision between SFC and The Open University in Scotland.

• Ensuring any changes to the University’s curriculum do not impact negatively on income generated from Scotland.

• Growing the number of learners from work-based learning, colleges and disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Working with Scottish Government and other organisations to increase financial support for part- time students.

• Defining our product offering and value propositions for target markets such as health and education in Scotland.

• Improving resource management.

OU in Scotland Senior Owners: James Miller, Director and Kate Signorini, Depute Director (Planning, Resources and Engagement)

2015 going forward

Contributing to the Scottish Government’s Review of the Part-time Fee Grant.


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Deliver an outstanding student experience

How we will measure success

The Open University in Scotland will monitor its progress in

achieving its Strategic Objectives using the measures and

targets set out below.

These measures and targets should be read alongside The Open

University in Scotland’s Outcome Agreement with the Scottish

Funding Council.

MEASURE TARGET FREQUENCY

Student satisfaction Maintain or enhance levels of satisfaction in the National Student Survey in Scotland

Annually

Share of the part-time student market

Maintain OU’s share of part-time student market in Scotland

Annually

Student numbers at the overall Full Time Equivalent (FTE) level including target groups identified in Outcome Agreement with SFC

More even patterns of participation by different groups of learners, including those from areas of deprivation and from protected characteristic groups

An increase in the number of students articulating with advanced standing from HNC/HND to degree level study

Maintain levels of recruitment of OU students with a Higher National (HN) background

Annually

Proportion of students completing a module

An improvement in the retention and success rates of learners

Annually

Pan-UK measures to which The Open University in Scotland will contribute

Performance in Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Reviews

The target is at least meet UK expectations in each of the four judgements

QAA Review now expected 2015


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MEASURE TARGET FREQUENCY

Activity relating to work-based learning

Maintain levels of employer sponsorship

Increased participation in workplace learning

Annually

Open media analytics Increase percentage of visitors going on to view formal OU learning opportunities

Annually

New income Increased income from diverse sources Annually

Staff satisfaction, including performance in Staff Survey

Percentage increase in job and organisational satisfaction Annually

Pan-UK measures to which The Open University in Scotland will contribute

Performance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF)

Combined 4* and 3* quality profile of over 70% for institutionally strategic units of assessment and over 50% for all other units of assessment

(2015 update: a new measure and target are being developed)

REF 2014

Enhance the capabilities of The Open University in Scotland


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The Open University in Scotland

10 Drumsheugh GardensEdinburghEH3 7QJTel +44 (0) 131 226 3851

Email: [email protected]/scotland

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). The Open University is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

the open university in scotland strategic plan 2012–17 ... · the open university in scotland...

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