Sharing Good Practice in Quality. The New Quality Code and its Effect on Staffordshire University Processes and Practices

Rebecca Penny, Director of Quality Enhancement and Standards

To provide an overview of recent developments in UK HE Quality Assurance landscape:

• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education• The UK Quality Code for Higher Education • Higher Education Review• Mapping of the Quality Code at Staffordshire

University

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

• QAA’s mission is to safeguard standards and improve the quality of UK higher education

• The Agency works with higher education providers to develop reference points and guidance which are used by all providers

• QAA conducts reviews and publishes reports detailing the findings of those reviews

UK Quality Code for Higher Education

UK Quality Code for Higher EducationThe UK Quality Code for Higher Education (the Quality Code) is used to assure the standards and quality of higher education in the United Kingdom. It is developed and maintained by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) through consultation with the higher education sector and is used by individual higher education providers to ensure students have the high-quality educational experience they are entitled to expect.

QAA, ‘The UK Quality Code for Higher Education: A Brief Guide’, 2012

UK Quality Code for Higher Education

• Setting and maintaining academic standardsPart A

• Assuring and enhancing academic qualityPart B

• Information about higher education provisionPart C

• of ‘sound practice’• Replace precepts

Indicators

Expectations:Things higher education providers expect of each other and which the general public can expect of all higher education providers

All students are treated fairly, equitably and as

individuals. Students have the

opportunity to contribute to the shaping of their

learning experience.

Students are properly and actively informed at appropriate times of

matters relevant to their programmes of study.

All policies and processes relating to study and

programmes are clear and transparent.

Strategic oversight of academic standards and

academic quality is at the highest level of academic

governance of the provider.

All policies and processes are regularly and

effectively monitored, reviewed and improved.

Sufficient and appropriate external involvement exists

for the maintenance of academic standards and the

quality of learning opportunities.

Staff are supported, enabling them in turn to

support students' learning experiences.

Overarchingvalues

Chapters of the Quality Code

B1: Programme design and approvalB2: Recruitment and admission to higher educationB3: Learning and teachingB4: Enabling student development and achievementB5: Student engagementB6: Assessment of students and recognition of prior learningB7: External examiningB8: Programme monitoring and reviewB9: Academic appeals and student complaintsB10: Managing higher education provision with othersB11: Research degrees

Part A: Setting and maintaining academic standards

Part B: Assuring and enhancing academic quality

General introduction

Part C: Information about higher education provision

Oct 2013 Part A: Setting and maintaining academic standards

Mar 2012 Part C: Information about higher education provision

Oct 2011 Chapter B7: External examining

Jun 2012 Chapter B11: Research degrees

Chapter B5: Student engagement

Sep 2012 Chapter B3: Learning and teaching

Dec 2012 Chapter B10: Managing higher education provision with others

Apr 2013 Chapter B9: Academic appeals and student complaints

Chapter B6: Assessment of students and recognition of prior learning

Mar 2013 Chapter B4: Enabling student development and achievement

Chapter B1: Programme design and approval

Chapter B8: Programme monitoring and review

The Quality Code Jigsaw

Chapter B2: Recruitment and admission to higher education

UK Quality Code and Collaborative Provision

Chapter B10, Managing Higher Education Provision with others, describes what is expected of UK degree-awarding bodies managing educational arrangements delivered or supported by a partner institution.

UK Quality Code and Collaborative Provision

• B10 covers all forms of working with others from placement activity to franchise and accreditation arrangements and joint and dual awards.

• B10 does not address the quality of learning opportunities provided through collaborative working – this is covered by the other chapters in Part B of the Code.

UK Quality Code: Chapter B10

Expectation

Degree-awarding bodies take ultimate responsibility for academic standards and the quality of learning opportunities, irrespective of where these are delivered or who provides them. Arrangements for delivering learning opportunities with organisations other than the degree-awarding body are implemented securely and managed effectively.

UK Quality Code is available at:

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/quality-code/Pages/default.aspx

Higher Education Review

Higher Education Review

Method used by QAA from 2013-14 to check how well HEIs in England and Northern Ireland make sure the education they provide is of a high quality and the correct academic standard.

Covers both on-campus provision and programmes delivered at partners.

Higher Education Review

Stage 1: Desk-based review of documentation submitted by provider

and its students

Stage 2: Visit to the provider to meet staff and students, investigate themes

further and form conclusions

Stage 3: Publication of Review Report

Higher Education Review

• Risk-based approach:• Time between reviews varies depending on

past track record (4 or 6 year interval)• Size of review team varies according to scale

of provision (minimum 2 reviewers, maximum 6; to include at least 1 academic staff reviewer and 1 student reviewer)

• Duration of visit varies – between 1 and 5 days

Review Judgements

Judgements are made on how each HEI:

• sets and maintains threshold academic standards

• manages the quality of students' learning opportunities

• enhances its educational provision • manages the quality of its public

information

Higher Education Review – Enhancement Themes 2013-15

• Student Involvement in Quality Assurance and Enhancement.

• Student Employability.

Staffordshire University’s next Review by the QAA is due in 2016-17

Other QAA Reviews

Review of Overseas Provision – conducted on a country by country basis2012: China2011: Singapore2010: Malaysia2009: India2008: Cyprus2007: Hong Kong

Mapping of the Quality Code at Staffordshire University

The University’s approach to Quality Assurance and Enhancement involves taking deliberate steps to bring about continuous improvement in the learning environment in a context of a culture of reflection. This leads to innovation and change in the quality of student learning opportunities and experience. The university will ensure that quality assurance processes are fit for purpose, enhancement-led and that continuous improvements will be fostered and supported.

Staffordshire University, Academic Strategy

Quality Code Mapping – Priority Areas 2013-14

• B5: Student engagement• B6: Assessment of students and recognition of

prior learning• B7: External examining• B10: Managing higher education provision with

others• B11: Research degrees• Part C: Information

Quality Code Mapping

• Staffordshire University’s Quality Committee is overseeing the mapping process.

• Quality Committee is establishing Working Groups to support it in this task.

Quality Code Mapping - Considerations

• Where are we now?• Are any changes required to ensure compliance

with the Expectations and Indicators outlined in the UK Quality Code?

• How will any changes affect on-campus provision/partners?

• Timescales for changes.• Examples of good practice.

Mapping of Chapters – some initial findings

• Requirement to undertake periodic due diligence on all partners – not just at the beginning of the relationship (B10)

• Introduction of annual review of partner publicity material (B10 and Part C)

• Revisiting role descriptors for University Programme Advisors, Partnership Managers etc. (B10)

Mapping of Chapters – some initial findings

• Revising collaborative agreement template (B10)• Reviewing External Examiner Report form (B7)• Ensuring the Student Voice is heard and that

students are represented on all educational committees (B5)

Communicating Progress to Partners

• The Quality Enhancement Service will work with the Partnerships Office and Partnership Managers to keep our partners updated on developments.

• Please let your Partnership Manager know if you have any comments/queries.

Questions?