As part of our work to support the enhancement of the learning experience, we coordinate the international benchmarking activities of the Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee (SHEEC), which aims to share and learn from international practice in a series of thematic areas relevant to the higher education sector in Scotland.
In the context of this work, benchmarking is defined as identifying, considering, comparing and learning from developing practice internationally. To be of most value, the work is concerned not just with current established practice, but also with learning from innovation, ideas and developing thinking.
Supporting student success Student support was the first area identified for international benchmarking and a working group was established to undertake a programme of work in 2008-09. The outputs of the work include:
- a report benchmarking practice in Scotland against international student support practice
- a report of the Study Tour to Denmark and Sweden in June 2009
- a report that surveys international practice in student support: Student Support Services – Scoping other UK and International Developments
- case studies of practice in student support collected from Scottish higher education institutions. The case studies will be maintained as a resource for the sector and added to and updated as necessary.
A sector-wide conference was held in May 2010 to disseminate the outcomes, involving international contributors and participation from all HEIs across Scotland.
Further information, reports and case studies on supporting student access
Postgraduate research degree student experience
The second and current benchmarking exercise is on the research degree, learning from international practices in this area, including in the UK. The purpose of this exercise is to support the higher education sector in enhancing the postgraduate research degree student experience.
A working group of members whose expertise and experience reflect a range of research degrees and programme models has identified the key aspects of the research degree on which the benchmarking will focus.
Further details of postgraduate research degree benchmarking
For more information about international benchmarking, please contact QAA Scotland on 0141 572 3420.