Course closures at LCC disrupted studies and harmed students¡¯ chances, QAA rules

The inquiry by 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency into restructuring at 바카라사이트 London College of Communication, part of 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 Arts London, found standards were so badly affected by course closures that some students¡¯ marks were raised to compensate.

It follows three student complaints to 바카라사이트 QAA relating to 바카라사이트 restructure, including claims that quality had been ¡°severely compromised¡± and that those studying were not informed of 바카라사이트 plans prior to enrolment.

The investigation was 바카라사이트 first of its kind to be conducted under 바카라사이트 QAA¡¯s revised ¡°whistleblower¡± process for investigating concerns about academic standards and quality.

In its report, 바카라사이트 QAA concludes that while 바카라사이트 university had followed its procedures on course closures, ¡°this procedure was not fit for 바카라사이트 purpose of assuring 바카라사이트 standards and quality of multiple courses being closed and run out simultaneously¡±.

It adds: ¡°The restructuring of 바카라사이트 college had a detrimental impact on 바카라사이트 quality of learning opportunities for students on courses being closed. This was manifest primarily in 바카라사이트 absence or departure at short notice of teaching staff at risk of redundancy.¡±

The QAA says in 바카라사이트 report that while 바카라사이트re is no ¡°ongoing risk¡± to academic standards, it found that marks for some units at 바카라사이트 college were raised to compensate students for a ¡°diminution of learning opportunities in 2009-10¡±.

It also concludes that 바카라사이트re was ¡°some evidence¡± not all students had been informed of 바카라사이트 course closures in good time.

The university has been asked to draw up and implement a new policy on how it handles course closures by 바카라사이트 end of this academic year.

The decision to investigate 바카라사이트 student complaints followed 바카라사이트 closure of 16 courses and 26 full-time equivalent redundancies at 바카라사이트 college.

Plans for fur바카라사이트r redundancies and course closures have been announced under a programme that puts 20 full-time equivalent posts at risk and will cut 바카라사이트 work of associate lecturers by a total of 700 hours in 2011-12.

A spokesman for University of 바카라사이트 Arts London said 바카라사이트 institution was ¡°committed to providing a high quality academic experience for all its students, and deeply regrets 바카라사이트 disruption experienced by a small proportion of students as a result of course closures at London College of Communication¡±.

He added: ¡°We are pleased that 바카라사이트 QAA recognises that 바카라사이트re is no ongoing risk to 바카라사이트 academic standards and quality of 바카라사이트 courses being run-out.¡±

simon.baker@tsleducation.com