Quality Assurance and Enhancement at The University of Edinburgh Professor Tina Harrison Assistant Principal Academic Standards and Quality Assurance

The Scottish Context Scotland operates an enhancement-led approach to quality assurance Quality Enhancement Framework (QEF) was introduced in 2003 “the QEF brought right to the fore the simple and powerful idea that the purpose of quality systems in higher education is to improve student experiences and, consequently, their learning” (ELIR Handbook)

Quality Enhancement Framework Institution-led quality reviews Public information provided by HEIs Student engagement in quality management Engagement with enhancement themes Enhancement-led Institutional Review (ELIR)

Quality Assurance Ethos at Edinburgh should add value; it should not be a ‘box-ticking’ exercise. should be reflective and evaluative. should be enhancement-focused, with the aim of improving the student experience. works best in a collegial and supportive environment.

Responsibility for QA at Edinburgh Formal responsibility for QA is largely devolved to the University’s three Colleges and 22 schools. Each College has a Dean for Quality Assurance Each School has a Director of Quality Assurance Monitoring and review should take place as close as possible to delivery. Assurance of monitoring and review activity is undertaken by the next closest level. Senate Quality Assurance Committee has an oversight role in this process.

Key Features of QA&E at Edinburgh Programme/course creation and approval Annual monitoring and quality assurance Periodic review of programmes of study Internal subject review Student participation in quality assurance External Examiners External reference points

Annual QA&E Monitoring Responsibilities Senatus Quality Assurance Committee Does not directly conduct QA of courses or programmes. Reviews Colleges’ Annual QA Reports. Ensures processes followed and actions taken, incl. progress against internal subject reviews (TPR/PPR) Reviews Support Services’ Annual Reports. Identifies key trends of concern to wider University & actions where necessary. Reports annually to Scottish Funding Council on outcomes of internal reviews and external accreditation reviews Scottish Funding Council Annual Report Support Services University level College Quality Assurance Committees Review Schools’ Annual QA Reports. Check progress against last Annual Report and identify actions to be taken. Review reports and progress against periodic internal subject reviews (TPR/PPR). Identify key trends at the College level Report to SQAC. Annual Reports 15 student support services relevant to the student experience report annually to SQAC. Periodic thematic review of issues relevant to the student experience College level Feedback loop SQAC has a wide remit in terms of meeting the requirements of the QAA – adherence to Code of Practice etc. Annual Reports Schools’/Teaching Organisations’ Quality Committees Provide School overview and take action based on: Student performance on courses/programmes and trends Feedback from students, including internal and external surveys Feedback from External Examiners External accreditation reviews Internal subject reviews School level

Periodic Programme Reviews (Internal Subject Review) Occur on a cycle of not more than 6 years A panel of at least 6 individuals (including external experts and a student) Typically a 2-day visit Internal dimension Standard review remit – to which subjects add their own review items. Review area produces a self-evaluation document External dimension At least two external panel members from within the discipline External (Internal) review members from other Colleges or Schools within the University Input from external agencies

External expectations of internal reviews Required by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education. They must adhere to SFC expectations. Key element of the Quality Enhancement Framework (QEF). Review outcomes reported to SFC annually and published on the web. Effectiveness is checked in ELIR (Enhancement-led Institutional Review). Our next ELIR takes place in Oct & Nov 2015. According to Scottish Funding Council requirements, reviews should: Occur on a cycle of not more than six years; Take full account of the Academic Infrastructure; Include at least one external review team member with relevant (subject) background; Take full account of student feedback and views; Consider the effectiveness of annual monitoring arrangements; Promote dialogue on areas in which quality might be improved; Identify good practice for dissemination; Encourage and support efforts to reflect critically on practice.

Internal motivations for internal review Assure academic standards and quality of the learning and teaching. Enhance the quality of the student experience. Encourage and support efforts to reflect critically on practice. Promote dialogue on areas in which quality might be improved. Identify good practice for dissemination.

Enhancement from Internal Review Annual Learning from Internal Review event: Opportunities to share practical approaches to enhancing student experience across the University Annual review of themes: Main themes from reviews gathered and key areas of development identified. Progress tracked through Senate Quality Assurance Committee Involvement with Institute for Academic Development: Capacity building and development events Case studies wiki :- effective and innovative good practice in learning, teaching, researcher development and support from around the university.

Student Participation in Quality Internal: Students participate at all stages and levels Programme and school representatives Student-staff liaison committees attended by reps student-led agenda School Student Councils All relevant formal College and University committees have student representation University Student Council open to all students EUSA provides training for all student reps Student Partnership Agreement External: Sparqs (Student Partnership in Quality Scotland) National Union of Students (NUS)

External Examiners All courses/programmes have external examiners appointed for a specified period. They look at the whole process (curriculum design/content to assessment setting and examination). They help to ensure that the assessment system: ensures equity of treatment of students and operates fairly in the classification of students. Help to ensure that degrees awarded by the University are comparable in standard to those of other equivalent departments in appropriate universities. UoE online External Examiner Reporting System ensuring analysis of reports and action The External Examiner system forms an important part of the University’s quality assurance procedures.

External Reference Points European Standards and Guidelines QAA UK Quality Code Subject-benchmark statements Qualifications frameworks International benchmarking QAA Enhancement Themes Scottish Funding Council guidance QAAS Enhancement-Led Institutional Review