Current developments to the quality assurance system

Changes for 2013-14: a more risk-based approach to quality assurance

In the higher education White Paper ‘Students at the Heart of the System’, the Government invited HEFCE to consult on the introduction of a more risk-based approach to quality assurance in higher education in England, ‘focussing the effort of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) where it will have the most impact and giving students power to hold universities to account’ (paragraph 3.19).

We consulted on our proposals for the more risk-based approach between May and July 2012, and the consultation outcomes and next steps were published on 24 October. We have sent the QAA a letter of guidance on taking forward the more risk-based approach as set out in the outcomes document (see below).

The responses showed strong support for three key principles identified in the consultation as essential to a more risk-based approach:

• the retention of a universal system for higher education (HE) providers which continues to promote enhancement
• a robust and rigorous approach which enables HEFCE to carry out its statutory duty to secure assessments of quality for HE providers that have access to public funding
• an approach which enables students to continue to play a prominent role in assessing their own academic experiences.

The responses also showed wide cross-sector agreement on a range of key proposals, including:

• to reduce unnecessary burden and achieve better regulation, targeting the QAA’s efforts where they are most needed
• to tailor external review to the individual circumstances of providers
• to continue to involve students fully in the quality assurance process
• to ensure that enhancement continues to be a core dimension of quality assurance
• to ensure transparency.

Our decisions on how to take forward the more risk-based approach take into account responses to the consultation from the HE sector and from other stakeholders and interested parties.

Read the consultation outcomes and next steps

Read the consultation

Read the presentations and notes from the consultation events

Changes from 2011-12

Together with the QAA, the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland, Universities UK and Guild HE, we have introduced 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 for the system of reviewing higher education in further education. (The QAA has conducted a consultation on the proposed new system, and the handbook for institutions is due out in June 2012, with the method commencing at the start of 2012-13.)
• ongoing revision of the UK Quality Code for HE (previously known as the academic infrastructure)
• changes to the system of external examining
• ongoing developments to support better provision of information about higher education.

Consultation 2009-10

These changes were developed following a period of consultation in 2009-10, the outcome of which is explainedin 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.