Post on 31-Mar-2015
UK Quality Code Guide: Further Education & Colleges
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Registered charity numbers 1062746 and SC037786
Quality Assurance Agency role
Safeguard the academic standards of UK higher education
Assure the quality of the learning opportunities that UK higher education offers to students
Promote continuous and systematic improvement in UK higher education
Ensure that information about UK higher education is publicly available
Explanation
Indicators of sound practice
Expectation: what higher education
providers expect of each other and which
students and the public can expect of all
higher education providers
The Quality Code
•Setting and maintaining threshold academic standards
Part A
•Assuring and enhancing academic quality
Part B
•Information about higher education provision
Part C
UK Quality Code for Higher Education
General Introduction
Chapters of the Quality Code
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 approvalB2: AdmissionsB3: Learning and teachingB4: Enabling student development and achievementB5: Student engagementB6: Assessment of students and accreditation of prior learningB7: External examiningB8: Programme monitoring and reviewB9: Academic appeals and student complaintsB10: Managing HE provision with othersB11: Research degrees
Part A: Setting and maintaining threshold academic standards
Part B: Assuring and enhancing academic quality
Part C: Information about higher education provision
General introduction
Who needs to know about the Quality Code?
Students Academic Staff
Employers
Professional, statutory and regulatory bodies (PSRBs)
Quality Managers
Other stakeholder groups
Governors
What is the UK Quality Code for
Higher Education?
How does the Quality Code relate
to legislation?
What are Expectations
from me?
What are Indicators?
What are the overarching values?
Why does the UK need a Quality Code
for Higher Education?How can the Quality Code
develop my area of provision?
Who is the Quality Code
for?
Who enforces the Quality Code?
How is the Quality Code organised? Are you confident in
accessing and meeting expectations outlined in the QC whilst planning,
implementing and evaluating your sector
Example: Marketing DepartmentPart C: Information about HE provision
Expectation
Higher education providers produce information for their intended audiences about the learning opportunities they offer that is fit for purpose, accessible and trustworthy
Indicators and EvidenceFocusing on intended audiences• Market intelligence, research data analysis
Engaging with those audiences; getting feedback• focus groups evidenced with action plan, qualitative analysis of
marketing events or processes
Focusing on inclusivity• Staff training on web content, copy and accessibility of information
Ensuring processes and responsibilities are clear and effective• Job descriptions, processes and maintenance is clear and evidence
based
Example: Cross curriculum
B3: Learning and teaching
Indicator 3
Learning and teaching practices are informed by reflection, evaluation of professional practice, and subject-specific and educational scholarship.
The Good Practice Knowledge BaseThe scholarly activity scheme supports staff to engage with their subject at the leading edge of the discipline, informing and enhancing teaching and learning.
The introduction of a module on the delivery of higher education in further education to enhance staff's understanding and performance in providing appropriate standards of teaching and learning .
Support is provided for staff to read for higher degrees and there are wide-ranging opportunities for staff development, which include undertaking research projects with partner awarding bodies.
The policies and incentives provided to staff encourage them to engage effectively in continuous professional development, scholarly activity and to pursue additional qualifications.
Creating a Quality Code Guide specific to this sector
An opportunity to contribute to the development of a QAA guide to the UK Quality Code for Higher Education: designed specifically for staff delivering HE programmes in further education and sixth form colleges.
QAA wishes to work closely with colleagues across the sector to develop a resource which will enable further engagement and a deeper understanding of the Quality Code.
• • 13 February 2014 Blackpool and The Fylde College • 7 March 2014 Somerset College• 12 March 2014 Doncaster College
Quality Code Guide Regional Workshops & Survey link
Website:www.qaa.ac.uk/Qualitycode
Email:b.stockton@qaa.ac.uk
Sign up to QAA News:www.qaa.ac.uk/Newsroom/News/Pages/QAA-news-alert.aspx
Further information