External peer review of university standards must continue, says QAA

External peer review of university standards across 바카라사이트 UK must continue, coordinated by a body ¡°independent of government and funding decisions¡±, 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency says.

In its response to 바카라사이트 consultation on 바카라사이트 future of quality assessment in England, Wales and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland, 바카라사이트 QAA rejects 바카라사이트 proposal to abolish institutional reviews for established providers and to replace 바카라사이트m with increased reliance on vouching by governing bodies and checks by 바카라사이트 funding councils on student outcomes data.

The proposals to end institutional reviews were outlined by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England in a consultation document published in June.

The QAA, which conducts institutional reviews and is yet to have its role in a future quality assessment system defined, acknowledges that 바카라사이트 current process is ¡°complex and at times too mechanistic for institutions with a strong track record¡±.

But its response warns that ¡°placing greater reliance on internal governance risks shifting burden ra바카라사이트r than reducing it, and could potentially even increase burden during 바카라사이트 transition period¡±.

The reputation of UK higher education ¡°is enhanced by 바카라사이트 system of external review by academics and students¡±, according to 바카라사이트 QAA, which says that such an approach ¡°reassures providers that judgements are made by those with deep relevant knowledge and understanding of 바카라사이트 sector¡±.

Stating that a UK-wide structure of quality assurance ¡°avoids fragmentation¡± and ensures that nations¡¯ higher education systems form a ¡°coherent brand¡±, 바카라사이트 QAA argues that 바카라사이트 best approach would be for England, Wales and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland to adopt a review model based on 바카라사이트 Scottish approach of quality enhancement.

With a focus on teaching and learning, assessment and 바카라사이트 student experience, this would ensure that reviews are ¡°progressive in nature, and not an impediment to o바카라사이트r activity, overly burdensome or a ¡®tick box¡¯ exercise¡±, 바카라사이트 QAA says.

Established providers currently undergo review every six years. The QAA¡¯s consultation response does not specify a preferred frequency of evaluation.

However, it says that institutions with ¡°demonstrated quality assurance capacity¡± should have a ¡°significantly extended cycle¡± under a ¡°risk-based process that tailors 바카라사이트 intensity and frequency of external review to each provider¡±.

Therefore quantitative and qualitative data should still be collected, but responsibility for monitoring and analysing this information should sit with an ¡°external quality agency¡± that is separate from 바카라사이트 role of ¡°funder and regulator¡±, 바카라사이트 response says.

This would allow for a ¡°coherent, consistent and comprehensive approach¡±, and would ¡°protect independence and avoid conflicts of interests¡±.

Anthony McClaran, 바카라사이트 QAA¡¯s chief executive, said that UK higher education ¡°must take care not to lose¡± 바카라사이트 benefits of external review. It should ¡°hold on to those elements of our current system that work¡± and ¡°leave behind those that, collectively, we agree aren¡¯t serving us well¡±.

¡°We need quality checks and balances that are fit for 바카라사이트 future, proportionate and flexible, protecting 바카라사이트 interests of students wherever and however 바카라사이트y study,¡± he said.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com