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Future arrangements for quality assurance
A consultation sets out proposals for revisions to the current system.
Future of quality assurance
We are working together with other stakeholders to discuss the future development of the quality assurance system. Together we have produced a joint statement setting out the shape of this work.
Consultation on the future of the quality assurance method
A key part of this work involves the development of a new institutional audit method to apply from 2011-12. This is being jointly led by HEFCE, DEL Northern Ireland (DELNI), Universities UK (UUK) and Guild HE, but the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), Association of Colleges and NUS are also closely involved. These organisations have published a consultation on the future of the quality assurance method, which runs from December 2009 to 5 March 2010.
As part of the consultation process, HEFCE, DELNI, UUK and GuildHE held two seminars in January 2010 to provide an opportunity to explore the issues further. Nearly 200 delegates attended the seminars; most were from higher education institutions but a significant number came from further education colleges. Students' unions and other stakeholder organisations were also represented. Delegates heard a presentation from the sponsor bodies on the background to the consultation as well as views from the Quality Assurance Agency and National Union of Students.
The seminars included breakout groups at which delegates discussed the consultation questions and offered some initial views.
Summary of 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 ]
Other areas of work
Other areas of work include:
- A review of public information about higher education (HE), looking at how Teaching Quality Information (including Unistats and the NSS) is currently used, and the needs of the information users (including potential students, the wider public, and HEFCE).
- A UK-wide review of the Academic Infrastructure, led by the QAA.
- A review of external examining, led by UUK and GuildHE.
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 ]
Formation of new group to manage quality assurance
HEFCE, DELNI, UUK and GuildHE have set up a new Quality Assurance in Higher Education System Group. The group has been set up to manage and develop the new quality assurance system. The QAA will be its principal adviser. It will be chaired by Professor Philip Jones, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University.
The group's first role will be to consider the responses to the current consultation on the future of the quality assurance system (HEFCE 2009/47) and make recommendations for improvements. The first meeting of this group took place in February 2010. Any questions should be directed to Fiona Hoban at UUK, Emma Creasey at HEFCE, or Helen Bowles at GuildHE.
Last updated 1 March 2010