July 2005/35
Policy development
Report of review group
This report is for information
Review of the Quality Assurance Framework
Phase one outcomes
This report details the findings of phase one of the Quality Assurance Framework Review and includes the recommendations of the review group; these have been endorsed by HEFCE, Universities UK and SCOP, the sponsoring bodies of the review.
| To: | Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions
Heads of HEFCE-funded further education colleges Heads of universities in Northern Ireland |
| Of interest to those responsible for: | Quality assurance, Information management |
| Reference: | 2005/35 |
| Publication date: | July 2005 |
| Enquiries to: |
At HEFCE
At SCOP
At Universities UK
|
Table of contents and executive summary (read on-line)
Table of contents
- Executive summary
- Introduction
- Report of the Quality Assurance Framework review group
- Summary
- Introduction
- Discussion
- Annex A - Terms of reference and membership of group
- Annex B - Summary of recommendations
- Annex C - Executive summary of the Costs and benefits report
- List of abbreviations
Executive summary
Purpose
1. This document sets out the outcomes of the first phase of the review of the quality assurance framework (QAF) for higher education institutions. It includes proposals for changes to institutional audit by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), to take effect for the next cycle of audits starting in 2006-07.
In reaching its conclusions, the review group drew on evidence provided through the study by JM Consulting, ‘The costs and benefits of external review of quality assurance in higher education’.
Key points
2. During 2004-05, the QAF review group completed phase one of the review, concerning the impacts, benefits and costs of institutional audit by the QAA. The review group found the process to be cost-effective and working well, and recommended a number of improvements for the next cycle of institutional audits. The main proposed change is to replace Discipline Audit Trails (DATs) with a more flexible audit trail method.
3. HEFCE, Universities UK and SCOP, as joint sponsors of the QAF review, have all endorsed the review group's recommendations in full.
4. The QAA will develop detailed proposals regarding changes to the institutional audit method, and consult with the sector on these during autumn 2005.
5. The second phase of the QAF review, concerning the public information aspects of the framework, will begin in autumn 2005.
Action required
6. No action is required by institutions; this report is for information.