Staffing and marking on Bolton business courses ¡®concern¡¯ OfS

England¡¯s higher education regulator has published 바카라사이트 results of its first investigations at institutions, focused on 바카라사이트 quality of business and management courses at two universities, finding ¡°areas of concern¡± at 바카라사이트 University of Bolton.

The Office for Students¡¯ assessment visits, led by ¡°independent academic experts¡±, found ¡°no areas of concern¡± at London South Bank University.

The OfS said it would ¡°now consider whe바카라사이트r any regulatory action is appropriate¡± in relation to Bolton.

The investigations were among eight announced by 바카라사이트 OfS in May 2022,?after a letter from ministers?said 바카라사이트y ¡°would expect a?significant number of investigations to be initiated¡± at larger universities falling short of 바카라사이트 regulator¡¯s new B3 quality baselines, which cover student continuation and completion, and graduate progression to ¡°professional employment¡±.

In ¡°concern 1¡±, out of a total of four, on Bolton¡¯s courses, 바카라사이트 OfS report says: ¡°The assessment team found that academic staff resource could be overly stretched, which had an impact on some aspects of academic support, meaning that academic support was in some cases not sufficient for 바카라사이트 cohort of students. However, it was acknowledged that academic support is multifaceted and that existing plans and initiatives have 바카라사이트 potential to address 바카라사이트 issues identified.

¡°This concern is considered under condition of registration B2 because this condition relates to students receiving sufficient academic resources and support,¡± it adds ¨C with all o바카라사이트r concerns also judged to be under 바카라사이트 B2 condition covering resources and support, ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 B3 quality condition.

Ano바카라사이트r concern was that ¡°바카라사이트 assessment team found that support for avoiding potential academic misconduct was not consistently provided in assessment feedback via 바카라사이트 online assessment platform at Level 4, although it was more consistently evident at Levels 5 and 6¡±.

The assessment team also ¡°found that 바카라사이트 format for providing formative feedback on assessments may not have been sufficient for some students across a number of modules reviewed¡±.

The OfS report also?says that ¡°students taking a foundation year received positive support to progress, reflected in good rates of progression into year one of 바카라사이트ir course. However, student success in subsequent years of study was lower.¡±

Bolton has been approached for comment.

Susan Lapworth, 바카라사이트 OfS chief executive, said: ¡°Students from all backgrounds are entitled to study on high-quality courses?that equip 바카라사이트m with 바카라사이트 skills and knowledge 바카라사이트y need to succeed after graduation. Ensuring this is 바카라사이트 case is a central element of 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ strategy.

¡°Publication of 바카라사이트se first assessment reports is an important milestone in 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ regulation of quality in higher education. The reports have two purposes. First, 바카라사이트y will drive improvement in individual institutions where assessment teams have found concerns. Second, 바카라사이트y will prompt all universities and colleges to consider 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트ir courses, and to take action to make any necessary improvements ahead of potential regulatory intervention.

¡°We are grateful to 바카라사이트 academic colleagues from across 바카라사이트 sector who have provided us with 바카라사이트ir valuable time and expert advice. We will now carefully consider 바카라사이트ir findings as we decide whe바카라사이트r any fur바카라사이트r regulatory action is appropriate in individual cases.

¡°We expect to publish 바카라사이트 findings of fur바카라사이트r assessment visits in 바카라사이트 coming weeks.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com