QAA leads debate on the Academic Infrastructure

QAA is asking the UK higher education sector to give its views on the Academic Infrastructure as part of a major evaluation it is launching in early 2010.

The purpose of the evaluation is to establish whether the Academic Infrastructure is meeting its aims, whether it remains 'fit for purpose' and whether it is flexible enough to accommodate future developments in higher education.

The first step is a consultative discussion paper, to be published in early 2010, inviting comment on the Academic Infrastructure and its constituent parts: frameworks for higher education qualifications; the Code of practice; subject benchmark statements and programme specifications.

The discussion paper will explore the current level of awareness of the Academic Infrastructure among those working in higher education, the extent of its adoption and use and whether it is perceived as an effective tool in maintaining academic standards. The paper will also examine the extent to which the Academic Infrastructure contributes to a shared understanding about academic standards and the quality of learning opportunities.

The paper will be informed by an analysis of data we collect in the course of our usual business, information from specific projects and a review of current academic literature on the topic.

A specially-convened sounding board made up of representatives of key higher education organisations and practitioners will assist us with the evaluation. A final report, containing details of all our findings and our recommendations regarding the future of the Academic Infrastructure, will be published in summer 2010.

If you have any thoughts or opinions about the Academic Infrastructure, or if there are any recommendations you would like to make, we welcome your contributions: academicinfrastructure@qaa.ac.uk.

For further information on our evaluation of the Academic Infrastructure, see the full project plan.

 

Top