1. Preparing for Higher Education Review (HER)
Jon Scott

2. UK Quality Code for Higher Education
Student & Academic Services
UK Quality Code for Higher Education
Key Terms
Threshold academic standards
Academic quality
Enhancement

3. UK Quality Code for Higher Education
Fundamental judgements
UK Quality Code for Higher Education
10 Chapters covering e.g. learning & teaching, external examining, assessment, complaints & appeals, admissions.
Enhancement
Setting and maintaining threshold academic standards
Part A
Assuring and enhancing academic quality
Part B
Information about higher education provision
Part C
Expectations:
Things higher education providers expect of each other and which the general public can expect of all higher education providers
QAA is responsible for the UK Quality Code for Higher Education (Quality Code for short). This was launched in December 2011 and will replace the Academic Infrastructure as the series of national reference points used by higher education providers to help them assure and enhance academic quality and set and maintain the standards of academic awards.
The Quality Code is a single code in three parts, as described on the slide. This structure reflects the desire of the sector to see a clearer distinction between those aspects which relate to academic standards and those relating to assuring and enhancing quality. Part C on providing information is a new feature (explained further below)
The purpose of the Quality Code is:
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.
The Quality Code applies to providers who deliver higher education reviewed by QAA in all four UK nations and overseas. It protects the interests of UK higher education students regardless of where they are studying or whether they are full-time, part-time, undergraduate or postgraduate students.
The slide highlights two important features of the Quality Code
(i) ‘Expectations’ – these are designed to reflect the sector’s call for clarity on what is mandatory within the Code. A number of Expectations – essentially one per chapter – have been created setting out what HE providers expect of each other and what students and the general public can expect of HE providers. These are the elements of the Quality Code which HE providers are ‘required to meet’, and reviews conducted by QAA will determine whether they are being met.
(ii) Indicators of sound practice. These are similar to the Precepts in the previous Code of Practice. They are designed to assist HE providers in determining how they will meet the Expectations. The Indicators are not mandatory and are not intended as a checklist. For example it is possible that there may be other ways of doing things which ensure the Expectations are met.
The logo [which will zoom in on a click] illustrates the three parts of the Code, by reference to the colours, and will be used on all chapters to demonstrate that they are part of the single Quality code.
KIS, publicity – prospectus, course information, student handbooks
of ‘sound practice’
Replace precepts
Indicators

4. UK Quality Code for Higher Education
Student & Academic Services
UK Quality Code for Higher Education
Part A: Setting and maintaining threshold academic standards
Part B: Assuring and enhancing academic quality
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
B1: Programme design and approval
B2: Admissions
B3: Learning and teaching
B4: Support for student achievement
B5: Student engagement
B6: Assessment of students and
accreditation of prior learning
B7: External examining
B8: Programme monitoring and review
B9: Complaints and appeals
B10: Management of collaborative
arrangements
B11: Research degrees
Part C: Information about higher education provision

5. UK Quality Code for Higher Education Chapter B3: Learning & Teaching
Student & Academic Services
UK Quality Code for Higher Education
Chapter B3: Learning & Teaching
The Expectation: Higher education providers, working with their staff, students and other stakeholders, articulate and systematically review and enhance the provision of learning opportunities and teaching practices, so that every student is enabled to develop as an independent learner, study their chosen subject(s) in-depth and enhance their capacity for analytical, critical and creative thinking.

6. Chapter B3: The Indicators
Student & Academic Services
Chapter B3: The Indicators

7. Chapter B3: The Indicators
Student & Academic Services
Chapter B3: The Indicators

8. Preparing for HER 2015-16 Student & Academic Services
Mapping current provision against the UK Quality Code
Identifying concerns – e.g. collaborative provision
Iterative drafting & review of the SED (including by external advisers)
Operational preparations e.g.
Preparing evidence base
Checking all on-line information
Briefing relevant staff

9. Preparing for HER 2015-16 Student & Academic Services Discussion 1
Indicator 3
Learning and teaching practices are informed by reflection, evaluation of professional practice, and subject-specific and educational scholarship
Indicator 9
Every student is enabled to monitor their progress and further their academic development through the provision of regular opportunities to reflect on feedback and engage in dialogue with staff

10. Preparing for HER 2015-16 Student & Academic Services Discussion 2
Section C Expectation: Higher education providers produce information for their intended audiences about the learning opportunities they offer that is fit for purpose, accessible and trustworthy
Indicator 5
Higher education providers set out what they expect of current students and what current students can expect of the higher education provider