Quality: Strategy: Network

The transformation of the quality management landscape continues with great rapidity and intensity in a sector buffeted by daily media headlines and in the midst of potentially seismic changes affecting the sector as a whole. As the new regulator for English Higher Education, the Office for Students continues to adopt a bold, student-focused, risk-based approach, reflecting the significant changes to HE in the last 25 years and seeking to anticipate changes still to come.

Familiar features – notably, the UK Quality Code – have been subject to a fundamental review with QSN Executive members contributing to 11 out of the 12 Quality Code Theme Writing Groups.

The increasing numbers of degree students gaining first and upper second class degrees has been the focus of media headlines, reporting and a recent consultation about putative grade inflation. The latter includes a proposed sector statement about how to protect the value of the honours degree qualifications over time and once again raises the question of effective externality.

The TEF enters a second year of piloting, as work progresses to develop the subject-level assessment framework. The Augar review with its potential £2,500 headline fee reduction is keenly awaited as the media debate continues on the value for money of higher education. TNE in-country review is still on the radar but with clarity required on how it will be funded. Added to this we may soon be navigating Brexit and attempting to ensure that funding mechanisms to support research excellence remain, our global rankings are sustained, academic talent from the EU is retained and universities’ ability to drive growth and generate jobs are not hampered.

These ‘hot topics’ all impact quality practitioners and this year’s conference seeks to enable us to engage across a broad spectrum of current issues. However, our conference will also consider the question of what the changes require of us, as senior quality professionals. In the midst of this uncertainty, what can we do to help secure student success and maintain academic standards?

Recent changes in the external QA environment from the OfS’s ongoing conditions of registration to the introduction of a new ‘slimline’ Quality Code have led institutions to reflect on their quality assurance frameworks and to question if they remain fit for purpose. In the past, the sector was arguably characterised by a greater homogeneity of approach, with institutions aligning processes with the perceived requirements of QAA institutional review: now there is a sense of freedom and a willingness to adopt a wider range of approaches.

In this symposium we will hear from quality practitioners who will share how their institution has adapted its QA processes as a result of the changing external environment. Speakers will present 7 minute ‘Lightening Talks’ on.

Approaches to programme approval
Approaches to annual monitoring
Approaches to periodic programme review

Colleagues from London Metropolitan University will also be sharing reflections on their recent Quality Standards Review. We will be seeking interest from members and attendees to share institutional insights and developments with regards to approaches to programme approval, annual monitoring and review. If you would like to take on the 7 minute ‘Lightening Talk’ slots then please let us know: chair@qualitystrategynetwork.org.uk

Book early and book your train to return later so that you see the Christmas lights and some Christmas shopping in town!

Several institutions are looking critically at their current processes for module evaluation and are fundamentally rethinking their approach.  At this meeting, we will hear from colleagues who are developing alternative models to module and programme evaluation, which variously seek to engage students more positively in the enhancement of their learning experience, increase students’ awareness of the outcomes from their evaluation, reduce the burden on students and staff, and support strategic ambitions for teaching and learning.  Whether or not your institution is redeveloping its approach to evaluation, this discussion offers an opportunity to consider different perspectives on shared concerns.

This is the fourth meeting of our Module Evaluation Special Interest Group and is free to QSN members

Non-QSN members are welcome at a cost of £80

Confirmed speakers include:

Dr Mark Hollingsworth, Deputy Director of Registry and Academic Affairs, University of Birmingham

Dr Adrian Lee, Quality Support Officer, University of York