QAA seeks nominations for Access to Higher Education working groups
| Date: | December 8 - 2021 |
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QAA is responsible for arrangements of the formal approval and quality assurance of the Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma. The QAA Recognition Scheme for Access to Higher Education (the Recognition Scheme) provides the framework of structures, mechanisms and regulations through which QAA exercises this responsibility.
As part of the management of the Recognition Scheme, QAA is reviewing a number of key elements of the Access to HE Diploma. We are therefore currently recruiting for individuals to join working groups for each of the three reviews we will be undertaking. Individuals selected will form respective task and finish groups that will meet on a termly basis for the duration of each project.
Diploma Specification Review Group
The purpose of the Diploma Specification is to ensure consistency and transparency in the academic demand and standards of the Access to HE Diploma and equity for students in the ways it can be achieved.
The aim of this review is to:
- assess the suitability of the current Diploma Specification
- make recommendations regarding:
- requirements for the achievement of the Access to HE Diploma
- range and nature of any requirements that may be stipulated in addition to the generic requirements for the achievement of named Access to HE Diplomas.
We are looking for individuals with:
- expertise in further education, specifically Access to HE Diploma development and assessment design, as well as an understanding of the further education policy context relating to widening participation, social mobility and fair access
- expertise in higher education who understand qualification development and assessment design and the higher education policy context relating to widening participation, social mobility and fair access
- expertise in higher education admissions who understands the requirements of progression qualifications and the higher education policy context relating to widening participation, social mobility and fair access
- experience of monitoring of, and/or research into, qualification assessment and development, particularly progression qualifications, as part of their regulatory, funding and/or other supporting role.
Licensing Agreement Review
As part of the Recognition Scheme, a Licensing Agreement provides the framework of arrangements through which organisations may apply to, and be licensed by, QAA to operate as Access Validating Agencies (AVAs).
The aim of this review is to:
- consider how QAA licenses AVAs
- assess the suitability of the current licensing agreement
- make recommendations regarding:
- the standard conditions of an AVA licence
- what an award of a licence should provide an AVA
- the process for licensing and relicensing AVAs.
We are looking specifically for individuals with:
- expertise in further education, specifically Access to HE Diploma development and assessment design, as well as an understanding of the further education policy context relating to widening participation, social mobility and fair access
- expertise in higher education who understand qualification development and assessment design and the higher education policy context relating to widening participation, social mobility and fair access.
Grade Scheme Review
Access to HE Diplomas are graded using a Grade Scheme, which has been designed to accommodate the flexibility of the qualification so that it can be applied to all Access to HE Diplomas, whatever their subject or structure. The Grade Scheme details the common requirements, reference points and regulations that define how grading judgements are made and the process for the award of grades.
The aim of this review is to:
- assess the suitability of the current Grade Scheme
- make recommendations regarding the common requirements, reference points and regulations that define how grading judgements are made and the process for the award of grades.
We are looking specifically for individuals with:
- expertise in further education, specifically Access to HE Diploma development and assessment design, as well as an understanding of the further education policy context relating to widening participation, social mobility and fair access
- expertise in higher education who understand qualification development and assessment design and the higher education policy context relating to widening participation, social mobility and fair access.
How to apply
To apply, please submit an expression of interest and brief statement of what you can bring to the working group by email to AHE@qaa.ac.uk by 14 January 2022. QAA welcomes applications from people in all sections of the community and values diversity.
This is an exciting time for our organisation as we embrace the reform of the post-16 education sector and policy changes will provide opportunities and challenges for the Access to HE Diploma. We hope you will consider joining one of our working groups at this critical and exciting time.