The UK Quality Code and Chapter B9 Ellie Russell- Projects Officer, The Student Engagement Partner

Higher Education Review

Higher Education Review (HER) HER is the way that QAA checks how well universities and colleges in England and Northern Ireland make sure their students' education is of a high enough quality and reaches the right academic standards. Checks if institutions are meeting the Expectations set out in the UK Quality Code. Is a flexible, risk-based method which applies the greatest scrutiny where it is most needed. Strong track records in managing quality and standards are reviewed less frequently.

The Judgements Academic standards/Academic Threshold standards The quality of students’ learning opportunities Information about higher education provision The enhancement of students’

Threshold Academic Standards Threshold academic standards are the minimum level of achievement that you have to reach to succeed on your course and achieve the qualification. A key feature of this is that threshold academic standards should not vary from one higher education provider to another. UK Quality Code Part A: 6 expectations

The quality of students’ learning opportunities Academic quality is how well higher education providers supports students in their learning: the teaching, the support available, how are assessed, and the resources available. UK Quality Code Part B: 11 expectations

Information Providers produce information for their intended audiences about the higher education they offer that is fit for purpose, accessible and trustworthy. UK Quality Code Part C: 1 expectation

Enhancement ‘Deliberate steps are being taken at provider level to improve the quality of students' learning opportunities’. Embedded in Quality Code - Part B: Assuring and enhancing academic quality. Strategic approach to enhancement of student learning opportunities, not just a collection of examples of good practice.

QAA website Higher Education Review Handbook www.qse-training.co.uk More information QAA website Higher Education Review Handbook www.qse-training.co.uk

UK Quality Code

UK Quality Code The UK Quality Code for Higher Education (the Quality Code) is the definitive reference point for all UK higher education providers. It makes clear what higher education providers are required to do, what they can expect of each other, and what the general public can expect of them. The Quality Code covers all four nations of the UK and all providers of UK higher education operating overseas. It protects the interests of all students, regardless of where they are studying or whether they are full-time, part-time, undergraduate or postgraduate students.

Purpose to safeguard the academic standards of UK higher education   to safeguard the academic standards of UK higher education to assure the quality of the learning opportunities that UK higher education offers to students to promote continuous and systematic improvement in UK higher education to ensure that information about UK higher education is publicly available

What does the Quality Code contain? The Quality Code has three Parts (A, B and C) on standards, quality and information. These are broken down into a series of Chapters which cover different aspects of higher education. Each Chapter sets out an Expectation for the topic and a series of Indicators that reflect sound practice. The manner in which providers meet the Expectations is their own responsibility.

Part A - Setting and maintaining threshold academic standards Chapter A1: The national level Chapter A2: The subject and qualification level Chapter A3: The programme level Chapter A4: Approval and review Chapter A5: Externality Chapter A6: Assessment of achievement of learning outcomes

Part B - Assuring and enhancing academic quality Chapter B1: Programme design and approval Chapter B2: Admissions Chapter B3: Learning and teaching Chapter B4: Student support, learning resources and careers education, information, advice and guidance Chapter B5: Student engagement Chapter B6: Assessment of students and accreditation of prior learning Chapter B7: External examining Chapter B8: Programme monitoring and review Chapter B9: Complaints and appeals Chapter B10: Management of collaborative arrangements Chapter B11: Research degrees

Part C: Information about higher education provision This shorter Part is not subdivided into Chapters. It addresses how providers make available information that is fit for purpose, accessible and trustworthy.

Utilising the UK Quality Code   There are a number of ways to use the UK Code to achieve change, such as: Review Expectations and benchmark current practice Using Indicators to focus campaigns or lobbying Producing an Annual Quality Report - Direction to answers and action

Match the scenario with an Indicator in the UK Quality Code. Exercise Match the scenario with an Indicator in the UK Quality Code.

Answers A= 1 B= 5 C= 4 D= 2 E= 3

Chapter B9: Academic appeals and student complaints

Chapter B9: Expectation Higher education providers have procedures for handling academic appeals and student complaints about the quality of learning opportunities; these procedures are fair, accessible and timely, and enable enhancement.

Some things to mention READ THE PREAMBLE: information on scope, equality and diversity, independent review and distinguishing between complaints and appeals. For example: Appeals or complaints may be made by individual students or, in appropriate cases, collectively by groups of students.

Some more things to mention As this Chapter forms part of the Quality Code, its remit is necessarily limited to academic appeals and complaints about the quality of learning opportunities. This does not preclude higher education providers extending these principles to appeals or complaints on other matters. The Expectation and Indicators in this Chapter do not generally distinguish between appeals and complaints because of the high level of commonality in the underlying principles applicable to both.

Exercise Discuss the Expectation: How does your institution currently meet this Expectation? How does the students’ union help your institution to meet this Expectation? Discuss the Indicators: Are there any missing?