1. Quality and Standards
An introduction

2. In this session What do we mean by quality and standards
How is HE regulated
How you can use the processes to influence change

3. What is quality and standards?

4. Standards
Threshold academic standards are the minimum acceptable level of achievement that a student has to demonstrate to be eligible for an academic award. The Quality Code sets outs Expectations which higher education providers are required to meet to ensure that academic standards are set and maintained.

5. Quality
Academic quality is concerned with how well the learning opportunities made available to students enable them to achieve their award. The Quality Code sets out Expectations which higher education providers are required to meet to ensure that appropriate and effective teaching, support, assessment and learning resources are provided for students; that the learning opportunities provided are monitored; and that the provider considers how to improve them.

6. How is this reviewed
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) review the standards and quality of HE academic courses offered by a range of providers.
They review HE universities and colleges every 6 years and private providers every 4 years based on the following criteria:

7. Standards
HE qualifications align appropriately to the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) and relevant subject and qualification benchmark statements.
Provide the aims and learning outcomes for a programme. (programme specification forms)
Processes to approve and periodically review the validity and relevance of programmes.
Ensure they have External examiners to maintain standards
Assessment of students is robust, valid and reliable.

8. Quality Effective programme approval procedures
Admission of students is clear, fair, explicit and consistent
Learning and teaching is reviewed in consultation with staff and students
Have procedures which monitor and evaluate student progression and the development of personal potential
Deliberate steps are made to engage students as partners in quality assurance and enhancement

9. Quality
Assessment gives student the opportunities to effectively demonstrate learning
Use external examiners to support the monitoring and development of quality
Procedures to regularly monitor and review programme quality
Fair, effectively and timely procedures for complaints and appeals
They effectively manage their collaborative provision
Research degrees have appropriate research environment

10. Judgements There are 4 judgements of review and 4 grades: Judgements:
Standards, Quality, Enhancement and Public Information
Grades:
Commended
meets UK expectations
requires improvements to meet UK expectations
does not meet UK expectations.

11. If institutions fail….
Requires improvement and does not meet are considered failing judgements
HEFCE are notified and QAA are sent an action plan from the provider detailing how this will be rectified. UKBA are also notified
If completed then the judgement will change to ‘meets UK expectations’
If progress is not made then HEFCE evoke unsatisfactory quality proceedings
The provider will be reviewed 4 years after a failing judgement

12. Institutional quality processes

13. Internal Mechanisms Programme validation Annual monitoring
Periodic review
External Examiner reports
Module evaluation
Student services reports (library, careers etc)
NSS reports
Internal satisfaction surveys
Enhancement strategy
Learning and teaching strategy
Students as partners projects/course representation

14. UK Quality Code

15. Chapters Part A: Setting and Maintaining Standards
A1: The national level
A2: The subject and qualification level
A3: The programme level
A4: Approval and review
A5: Externality
A6: Assessment of achievement of learning outcomes

16. Chapters Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Quality
B1: Programme design and approval
B2: Admissions 
B3: Learning and teaching
B4: Enabling student development and achievement 
B5: Student engagement
B6: Assessment of students and accreditation of prior learning 
B7: External examining
B8: Programme monitoring and review 
B9: Academic appeals and student complaints 
B10: Managing higher education provision with others 
B11: Research degrees 

17. Chapters Part C: Public Information
Public confidence in higher education relies on public understanding of the achievement represented by higher education qualifications. The Quality Code sets out an Expectation that higher education providers make available valid, reliable useful and accessible information about their provision.

18. Questions about Quality and standards?
Kate Wicklow: Head of Quality and
Student Engagement