Read more about the Concerns about standards and quality in higher education scheme
Changes to the process for reporting and investigating concerns about quality and standards in higher education have made it more transparent, accessible and responsive to developments in the sector.
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has published details of its Concerns about standards and quality in higher education scheme, developed following a review of the previous scheme, Causes for Concern.
The review found that the scheme should be clearer and more transparent, operate more quickly and be more accessible, particularly to individual staff and students.
Stephen Jackson, QAA's Director of Reviews, says: 'The new scheme has been launched following a review of our existing processes. It maintains the rigorous investigatory process of Causes for Concern, while enhancing transparency, flexibility and responsiveness. It invites input from anybody with legitimate concerns about the standards of a higher education course, while respecting and maintaining the autonomy of UK institutions.'
Developments in the new scheme include:
- where appropriate, details of a concern application will be investigated through Institutional audit or review
- concerns may now be raised about subscribing higher education institutions in Northern Ireland
- the scheme has been extended to include concerns about systemic risks identified through QAA's work or by other organisations
- the process for investigating concerns has been streamlined to two stages: initial inquiry, and full investigation
- if a concern application reaches a full investigation, a statement detailing the findings will be published on the QAA website
- the subject of the concern will be notified in all cases, regardless of whether QAA can investigate. We may also pass information on to other relevant organisations.
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Notes to editor:
1. For further information, please contact Hayley Haggins, Public Relations Assistant, on 01452 557047 or h.haggins@qaa.ac.uk.
2. Further information on the Concerns scheme, including scheme documents and application forms, is available at www.qaa.ac.uk/Complaints/concerns/Pages/default.aspx.
3. QAA's Concerns scheme applies to subscribing higher education institutions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For higher education institutions in Scotland, please see the protocol for managing potential risks to quality and academic standards.
4. The review of the Causes for Concern Scheme took place between December 2009 and March 2010. Further review took place in Summer 2010. For more information, see www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/CircularLetters/Pages/Circular-letter-CL1610.aspx.
5. QAA safeguards the public interest in the quality and standards of UK higher education. We check how UK universities and colleges maintain their academic standards and quality. We review and report on how they meet their responsibilities, identify good practice and make recommendations for improvement. We publish guidelines to help UK universities and colleges develop effective systems to ensure students have the best learning experience. Further information is available at: www.qaa.ac.uk.