Brief description of the paper

In recent months there have been a number of developments and reports published relating to quality and standards in UK universities. These are helpfully summarised in a paper that was considered recently at the Russell Group¹.

There have also been two other developments since the Russell Group paper became available:

i) The QAA has indicated that it will be undertaking a broader evaluation of the Academic Infrastructure (comprising subject benchmark statements, programme specifications, qualifications frameworks and the QAA Code of Practice). The evaluation ‘will consider whether the Academic Infrastructure has met, and continues to meet, its aims in helping institutions to set and maintain the academic standards of their awards and manage the quality of the learning opportunities they provide for students. It will also look at how the Academic Infrastructure might continue to do this within the changing environment of the UK higher education sector’.

ii) On 4 November, the Government published Higher Ambition, ‘a new framework for the future success of higher education, setting out the important role universities will play in securing the country’s economic recovery and long term prosperity.’ Key measures set out in the framework include

• More competition between universities, giving greater priority to programmes that meet the need for high level skills;
• Business to be more engaged in the funding and design of programmes, sponsorship of students, and work placements;
• Creating more part-time, work-based and foundation degrees to make it easier for adults to go to universities, with routes from apprenticeships through to Foundation Degrees and other vocational programmes;
• Encouraging universities to consider contextual data in admissions, as one way of ensuring that higher education is available to all young people who have the ability to benefit;
• Universities setting out clearly what students can expect in terms of the nature and quality of courses offered;
• Sustaining our world class research base by continuing to focus on excellence, concentrating research funding where needed to secure critical mass and impact; and
• Encouraging collaboration between universities on world class research, especially in high cost science.

Action Requested

The developments and reports published relating to quality and standards are mainly in relation to higher education in England and Northern Ireland so it is unclear at present what the implications for Scotland and Scottish HEIs will be. ASC is, however, asked to note the UUK proposals for the review of the external examiner system and the QAA evaluation of the Academic Infrastructure, both of which operate or apply across the UK. Both are scheduled to commence during 2009-10.

Recommended Person/s responsible for taking action(s) forward

The Director and Assistant Director of the Senate Office to keep a watching brief and keep ASC informed of developments.

Resource implications

Unknown at this stage.

Timescale for Implementation

Not applicable.

Equality implications

Not applicable.

¹ Professor Binks, the author of the Russell Group paper has asked that his paper 'On Quality and Standards' be circulated alongside the former to set his comments in context. This is provided in the Appendix.