UK Quality Code Guide: Further Education & Colleges

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Registered charity numbers 1062746 and SC037786

Quality Assurance Agency roleSafeguard the academic standards of UK higher education

Assure the quality of the learning opportunities that UK higher education offers to students

Promote continuous and systematic improvement in UK higher education

Ensure that information about UK higher education is publicly available

Explanation

Indicators of sound practice

Expectation: what higher education

providers expect of each other and which

students and the public can expect of all

higher education providers

The Quality Code

•Setting and maintaining threshold academic standards

Part A•Assuring and enhancing

academic quality

Part B

•Information about higher education provision

Part C

UK Quality Code for Higher Education

General Introduction

Chapters of the Quality Code

A1: The national level

A2: The subject and qualification level

A3: The programme level

A4: Approval and review

A5: Externality

A6: Assessment of achievement of learning outcomes

B1: Programme design and approvalB2: AdmissionsB3: Learning and teachingB4: Enabling student development and achievementB5: Student engagementB6: Assessment of students and accreditation of prior learningB7: External examiningB8: Programme monitoring and reviewB9: Academic appeals and student complaintsB10: Managing HE provision with othersB11: Research degrees

Part A: Setting and maintaining threshold academic standards

Part B: Assuring and enhancing academic quality

Part C: Information about higher education provision

General introduction

Who needs to know about the Quality Code?

Students Academic Staff

Employers

Professional, statutory and regulatory bodies (PSRBs)

Quality Managers

Other stakeholder groups

Governors

What is the UK Quality Code for

Higher Education?

How does the Quality Code relate

to legislation?

What are Expectations

from me?

What are Indicators?

What are the overarching values?

Why does the UK need a Quality Code

for Higher Education?How can the Quality Code

develop my area of provision?

Who is the Quality Code

for?

Who enforces the Quality Code?

How is the Quality Code organised? Are you confident in

accessing and meeting expectations outlined in the QC whilst planning,

implementing and evaluating your sector

Example: Marketing DepartmentPart C: Information about HE provision

Expectation

Higher education providers produce information for their intended audiences about the learning opportunities they offer that is fit for purpose, accessible and trustworthy

Indicators and EvidenceFocusing on intended audiences• Market intelligence, research data analysis

Engaging with those audiences; getting feedback• focus groups evidenced with action plan, qualitative analysis of

marketing events or processes

Focusing on inclusivity• Staff training on web content, copy and accessibility of information

Ensuring processes and responsibilities are clear and effective• Job descriptions, processes and maintenance is clear and evidence

based

Example: Cross curriculum

B3: Learning and teachingIndicator 3

Learning and teaching practices are informed by reflection, evaluation of professional practice, and subject-specific and educational scholarship.

The Good Practice Knowledge BaseThe scholarly activity scheme supports staff to engage with their subject at the leading edge of the discipline, informing and enhancing teaching and learning.

The introduction of a module on the delivery of higher education in further education to enhance staff's understanding and performance in providing appropriate standards of teaching and learning .

Support is provided for staff to read for higher degrees and there are wide-ranging opportunities for staff development, which include undertaking research projects with partner awarding bodies.

The policies and incentives provided to staff encourage them to engage effectively in continuous professional development, scholarly activity and to pursue additional qualifications.

Creating a Quality Code Guide specific to this sector

An opportunity to contribute to the development of a QAA guide to the UK Quality Code for Higher Education: designed specifically for staff delivering HE programmes in further education and sixth form colleges.

QAA wishes to work closely with colleagues across the sector to develop a resource which will enable further engagement and a deeper understanding of the Quality Code.

• • 13 February 2014 Blackpool and The Fylde College • 7 March 2014 Somerset College• 12 March 2014 Doncaster College

Quality Code Guide Regional Workshops & Survey link

Website:www.qaa.ac.uk/Qualitycode

Email:b.stockton@qaa.ac.uk

Sign up to QAA News:www.qaa.ac.uk/Newsroom/News/Pages/QAA-news-alert.aspx

Further information