Current developments to the quality assurance system
We are working together with partner organisations to discuss the future development of the quality assurance system.
The term 'quality assurance system' refers to the way we evaluate and assess the quality of higher education in England and Northern Ireland. This includes audit and review carried out by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), external examining arrangements, the Academic Infrastructure, and institutions' own internal systems for quality management.
Changes from 2011-12
Together with the QAA, the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland, Universities UK and Guild HE, we are proposing some key changes to the quality assurance system from 2011-12.
These reforms include:
- the introduction of a new system of Institutional Review for HEIs in England and Northern Ireland
- changes under consideration for the system of reviewing higher education in further education. (The QAA is due to launch a consultation on the proposed new system, which is due to mirror key principles and procedures of Institutional review, in Autumn 2011.)
- ongoing revision of the academic infrastructure
- changes to the system of external examining
- review of information about higher education.
Consultation 2009-10
These changes were developed following a period of consultation in 2009-10. This took the form of a formal consultation document and two consultations seminars.
We were pleased to receive 169 consultation responses from universities and colleges and other bodies. We considered their full and helpful comments carefully in finalising the proposals. These are explained in detail in the consultation outcomes document.
Following the consultation we are agreed that all developments to the quality assurance system should meet the following objectives:
- provide authoritative, publicly accessible information on academic quality and standards in higher education
- command public, employer and other stakeholder confidence
- meet the needs of the funding bodies and of institutions
- meet the relevant needs of all students
- rely on robust evidence-based independent judgement
- support a culture of quality enhancement within institutions
- work effectively and efficiently.
Consultation documents
Summary of consultation seminar breakout discussions
[ Download Consultation on the future of the quality assurance method: Summary of breakout discussions for funding as Adobe PDF 63K | Download Consultation on the future of the quality assurance method: Summary of breakout discussions for funding as MS Word 100K ]
Sector impact assessment of revising the English quality assurance system
In taking this forward we have formally assessed its impact on the HE sector in terms of regulatory burden, equality and diversity, and sustainable development.
Sector impact assessment of revising the English quality assurance system
[ Download Sector impact assessment of revising the English quality assurance system as Adobe PDF 32K | Download Sector impact assessment of revising the English quality assurance system as MS Word 115K ]
Sector impact assessment: Integrated Quality and Enhancement Review 2012-13 onwards
With the QAA we are now beginning to consider the review method to be used for HE in FECs after 2011-12. In doing so we have undertaken a formal assessment of the impact it will have on the HE sector in terms of regulatory burden, equality and diversity, and sustainable development.
Sector impact assessment: Integrated Quality and Enhancement Review 2012-13 onwards
[ Adobe PDF 74K | MS Word 54K ]
Last updated 18 August 2011