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20 April 2007 HEFCE logo
To  Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions
Heads of universities in Northern Ireland
Direct Line 0117 931 7300
Direct Fax 0117 931 7203

Circular letter number 14/2007

For further information contact Emma Creasey, tel 0117 931 7225, e-mail e.creasey@hefce.ac.uk

Dear Vice-Chancellor or Principal

Invitation to take part in research assessing the impact of reviews of collaborative arrangements on higher education institutions

1.   I am writing on behalf of the Quality Assurance Framework Review Group to inform you about the next phase of the review of the Quality Assurance Framework (QAF), concerning collaborative provision, and to invite volunteers to take part in this review. If you are interested in participating, please respond by 31 May 2007.

2.   The QAF Review Group, chaired by Dame Sandra Burslem, was established jointly by HEFCE, Universities UK and GuildHE to evaluate the costs, effectiveness and impacts of the revised QAF, and to recommend any changes to the framework that could further reduce costs or improve effectiveness in the longer term. The first phase of the review looked at the overall costs, benefits and impacts of all external quality assurance of education provision in English HEIs, and of the revised QAF in particular. This phase was completed and the outcomes published in July 2005 (HEFCE 2005/35, 'Review of the Quality Assurance Framework: phase one outcomes'). The second phase considered the costs, benefits and impacts of the public information aspects of the QAF, that is, Teaching Quality Information and the National Student Survey. The outcomes were published in October 2006 (HEFCE 2006/45, 'Review of the Quality Assurance Framework: phase two outcomes').

3.   The group is now beginning the final phase of its work. This will seek to ascertain the costs, benefits and impacts of reviews of collaborative provision and how these relate to the risks associated with that provision. The main focus of the work will be QAA collaborative provision audits (CPAs) as part of the QAF, but the group recognises that these do not operate in isolation. The research will also consider how the other types of collaborative arrangements in which HEIs are involved, and in particular the scrutiny to which they are subject, may impact on or duplicate QAF arrangements. As well as franchise or validation arrangements with further education colleges, collaborations might include arrangements with other HEIs, professional, statutory and regulatory bodies, employers, private providers, overseas providers and Sector Skills Councils. The research will not duplicate the evaluation of CPAs already carried out by the QAA.

4.   We are currently tendering for contractors to carry out this work. We envisage that the research will include fieldwork to consider collaborative links in a sample of institutions which should be representative of the sector. We are seeking volunteers for this part of the project. The research will include HEIs that have undergone a CPA, but will also consider other collaborative arrangements. The researchers would need to visit key personnel in the institution, and a sample of their collaborative partners. Findings would then be extrapolated to produce sector-wide estimates. The final sample for the fieldwork will be chosen by the consultants and the QAF Review Group.

5.   To provide an opportunity for the sector as a whole to input into this work, we plan to hold a conference in the autumn to which all HEIs will be invited, to discuss the emerging findings from the study.

6.   The research will provide an overview of the range and variety of collaborative arrangements across the sector and will seek to identify how the review requirements of these impact on each other. It will also identify areas of good practice. It will result in a report that we expect to be of use to institutions in managing their collaborative arrangements, and to the QAF Review Group in making recommendations on how CPAs might be carried out in the future.

7.   We are keen to involve a range of institutions and collaborative arrangements in the research, and would be very grateful if you would consider volunteering your institution to take part. We aim to ensure that participation will not be too burdensome on the HEIs and key partners involved. Any results reported will of course be anonymous.

8.   If you would like more details about this research then please contact one of the following:

9.   If you would be willing to help us, then please reply by 31 May 2007 to: Emma Creasey, Policy Officer, HEFCE, Northavon House, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QD or e-mail e.creasey@hefce.ac.uk.

Yours sincerely

Liz Beaty
Director (Learning and Teaching)