The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

QAA is pleased to announce that, following a competitive public tender process, we have been awarded the contract for the provision of the quality assurance of nursing and midwifery education by The Nursing and Midwifery Council. This contract is scheduled to start on 1 September 2024. It will apply to the delivery of quality assurance processes, including approval, modification and monitoring activities, in nursing and midwifery education across the four nations of the United Kingdom. The initial duration of the contract is three years. Over the coming months, QAA will be putting in place preparations for the implementation of the management of these services. The approach to quality assurance will be in line with internationally recognised good practice and the NMC’s quality assurance framework and processes. To find out more, please visit 👉 https://lnkd.in/ezhA5jaE

We have published a major new resource which, by charting key points through the student journey, flags key materials to support educators in implementing effective measures to close awarding gaps. Our new resource identifies sets of guidance materials on supporting students through all stages of their studies, from those crucial points of transition into higher education and across its levels, through advice on shaping classroom culture and on the design of inclusive curricula and assessments, all the way to strategies to underpin the success of new graduates as they prepare to enter the world of work. The Awarding Map is available to QAA Members on our Membership Resources site: https://lnkd.in/efN7KBqK QAA Quality Enhancement & Standards Specialist Dr Kerr Castle has written a blog on the subject for the Higher Education Policy Institute: https://lnkd.in/eK6_gCSr

At the end of April, we had the pleasure of delivering a week-long programme in Uzbekistan to support Tashkent State University of Law (TSUL) in driving improvement and excellence in their quality assurance systems. The training looked at developing an internal quality assurance culture, and analysing frameworks for quality assurance in higher education such as the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG). Visit our website to find out more about our global capacity building services, as well as how to join TSUL in becoming a QAA International Member: https://lnkd.in/eRMdzW_P

A review by QAA has expressed confidence in Abertay University's progress in continuing to monitor, review and enhance its higher education provision to enable effective arrangements to be in place for managing academic standards and the quality of the student experience. Further information is available on our website: https://lnkd.in/e4KZ6XQ5 The full report can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/eDa3Jk5f

On 14 May, we are holding an event to launch resources from the QAA-funded Collaborative Enhancement Project ‘When Innovation Meets Quality Assurance’, led by the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE). The session will introduce key findings from the project, plus share project outputs aimed at supporting the sector to adopt innovative and dynamic approaches to quality assurance. Along with NMITE, we will also be joined by members of the project team from UCL, The Engineering & Design Institute London (TEDI-London), Arden University, Arts University Bournemouth and The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology. Registration for QAA Members is available on our website: https://eur.cvent.me/wRDGN

We have published a new report on the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023. It presents a comprehensive qualitative analysis of provider submissions and panel statements, broken down by features of excellence. Our report is designed to demonstrate the extent of work happening within the sector, extracting key themes and areas of learning from what has been recognised as outstanding practice, to support the sector in preparing for the next iteration of the TEF and also the broader enhancement of their provision. While only providers in England participated in the TEF, we hope this analysis will be useful for providers across the UK. The report – Evaluating Excellence: TEF 2023 Submission and Panel Statement Analysis – explores what we can learn from this latest iteration of TEF about outstanding and impactful practice in relation to the core features of the student experience: teaching, learning and assessment; course content and delivery; research, innovation and employer engagement; staff development and academic practice; learning environment and academic support; learning resources; and student engagement. The report also includes a foreword by Dr Diana Beech, CEO of London Higher. 📑 The full report is available on our website: https://lnkd.in/d4YvcUEY QAA's Lead Policy Officer for England, Helena Vine, has written two blogs on some of the key findings of the report:   🟢 On our own website, she looks at how the TEF can bust some of the biggest myths about higher education: https://lnkd.in/dxYmnNcy 🟣 And for Wonkhe, she at looks at what the TEF tells us about strategies to challenge and stretch students to achieve their full potentials: https://lnkd.in/d-ZheD2S #TEF

There are only two weeks left to respond to our consultation on the proposed 2024 edition of the Quality Code. The proposal for the Quality Code includes a new structural model and a revised approach to the Sector-Agreed Principles and Key Practices. It offers more information for providers when considering their approach to quality and standards yet retains a succinct and clear overview of what providers can expect of themselves and each other. 📝 Responses can be submitted on our website until 5pm on 17 May: https://lnkd.in/ekD_patF 🗣️ We are holding a webinar on 9 May to share information on the developments made so far and help you to shape your own consultation response. Registration is available here: https://eur.cvent.me/xLQm3

Our next Programme Leaders Network on 8 May will discuss positive aspects of Generative AI in programme delivery. We’ll hear case studies from the University of South Wales, Swansea University and Ulster University on how they are using Generative AI to support and enhance their own teaching practice. Registration for QAA Members is available on our website: https://eur.cvent.me/yAaBm

There is only one week left to respond to our Educational Oversight Review (EOR) consultation. The EOR is a new review method proposed to replace the current four separate methods for review and monitoring of 'alternative providers' - private providers of higher education courses in the UK that do not receive direct annual public funding from any UK higher education funding or regulatory body. 📝 Responses can be submitted on our website before 5pm on Tuesday 7 May: https://lnkd.in/ee7UDbPD 🗣️ We are holding a webinar on 1 May to provide the opportunity to ask any questions about the consultation to our Assessment Services team. Registration is available here: https://eur.cvent.me/wG0bZ

Our next College HE Policy and Practice Network will take place on 9 May. Following an update on key UK higher education policy developments and current QAA activity, the practice session will focus on ensuring positive student outcomes, with contributions from Hull College and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. Registration for QAA Members is available on our website: https://eur.cvent.me/dZx8B