New report highlights the costs of student engagement in quality processes

QAA's Student Strategic Advisory Committee (SSAC) has published a new report on the costs students can face when participating in activities which evaluate and enhance the quality of the student experience.

Drawing on a survey of students from a variety of provider types, the report identifies the importance of effective induction, check-in and signposting mechanisms in supporting engagement.

Respondents also emphasised the importance of flexible approaches to engagement including online, asynchronous and in-person options. They stressed the sacrifices made to participate in quality assurance and enhancement activities, and highlighted the need for institutions to be clear about the level of commitment required to enable students to make informed decisions about whether they can engage in such activities.

The report makes a series of recommendations to providers, noting the need for approaches that recognise, value and sustain students' contributions, flagging the importance of clear communication, realistic expectations, effective induction and ongoing support throughout their engagement journey, and calling for a range of recognition and reward approaches to ensure equitable participation.

"The costs [of such engagement] may include balancing engagement with academic study, employment, caring responsibilities and other extracurricular commitments, as well as financial implications and potential impact on time spent studying," say the report's authors, Cinnomen McGuigan and Anastasia Kennett. "If students are unable to engage in these activities, it can be costly for the provider in terms of being unable to gain student insight and voice which reflects the full diversity of their student body."