Our Degree Awarding Powers (DAP) Service offers specialist guidance and activities for providers in England* who are either seeking Degree Awarding Powers or have existing time-limited or probationary powers.
This service benefits from the expertise of specialist QAA experts who have been directly involved in the assessment of DAP applications for many years, and have experience of assessing different types of providers.
It is tailored to the individual needs of the provider, depending on where they are in the DAP process - from initial planning and application, to achieving indefinite powers. The focus of activity can range from support with a specific DAP criterion to a holistic analysis against all the DAP criteria and evidence requirements.
Benefits include:
- Access to QAA experts with extensive experience of what is required to achieve DAP.
- Specialist advice on developing an appropriate and robust evidence base to demonstrate how the DAP criteria are met.
- Support in the development of effective internal processes and organisational capability and capacity to underpin the operation of DAP.
- Actionable insights into potential risks or areas of weakness in preparation for a DAP application or assessment.
- Comprehensive written reports, with clear recommendations and next steps.
Our modular approach
We will work with providers to determine which of our four modules would be of most benefit, depending on where providers are on their DAP journey. Within each module, providers can expect to receive:
Pathway to Application
- Support to understand the current DAP process.
- Identification of risk and potential gaps in policies, procedures and evidence relating to the DAP criteria.
- Written report on the provider’s readiness and recommendations for improvement, and co-creation of a development plan.
Pre-Application
- Detailed review of the provider’s submission and supporting evidence.
- Identification of potential issues or risks in the proposed application.
- Written report with findings and recommendations for improvement.
Mock Assessment Activity
- Advice and guidance on observations of practice and site visits.
- Mock visit and/or observations of practice conducted by QAA experts.
- Written report with findings and recommendations for improvement.
Targeted Analysis
- Identification of risk and potential gaps in policies, procedures and evidence relating to a specific DAP criterion or evidence requirement.
- Visits by QAA experts to explore the issues.
- Written report and recommendations for improvement, and co-creation of a development plan (if required).
Contact us
To find out more about what’s included, and to register your interest, contact our dedicated QAA Team who will be happy to help.
*This service is designed for providers who are, or intend to become, a higher education provider registered in England. QAA cannot provide this service for providers based in the other nations of the UK, as this would conflict with QAA’s existing role to provide formal assessments in those nations.