European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area Colin Tück 26/27 May 2008, Baku Council of Europe seminar

Quality assurance within the EHEA  Internal quality assurance  Taking place within the higher education institution  Different extents of formality  Different driving forces  quality improvement  proving accountability  external forces  …  Different stages of development

Quality assurance within the EHEA (2)  External quality assurance Chart by Lee Harvey

Quality assurance in the Bologna Process 1999 Bologna 2001 Prague 2003 Berlin 2005 Bergen 2007 London Co-operation in quality assurance “with a view to developing comparable criteria and methodologies“ Primary responsibility of HEIs for quality; “agreed set of standards, procedures and guidelines” European Standards and Guidelines European Register Collaboration of HEIs and QA agencies “in establishing a common framework of reference” E4 Group

European Standards and Guidelines for QA  Adopted by Bologna ministers in 2005  Developed by ENQA, ESU, EUA and EURASHE  Rationale:  Standards and guidelines, but no procedures  Common principles that cover the diversity  Reference points rather than detailed standards  Not to be used as a checklist  Underlining the responsibility of HEIs for quality improvement

European Standards and Guidelines for QA (2)  Three sections that are linked: Chapter 3: External QA agencies Chapter 2: External QA of HEIs Chapter 1: Internal QA by HEIs reference in standard 3.1 reference in standard 2.1

1) Standards and Guidelines for internal quality assurance  Policy and procedures for quality assurance  Approval, monitoring and periodic review  Assessment of students  Quality assurance of teaching staff  Learning resources and student support  Information systems  Public information

2) Standards and Guidelines for external quality assurance  Use of internal quality assurance procedures (1)  Development of external QA processes  Criteria for decisions  Processes fit for purpose  Reporting  Follow-up procedures  Periodic reviews  System-wide analyses

3) Standards and Guidelines for external QA agencies  Use of external quality assurance procedures (2)  Official status  Activities  Resources  Mission statement  Independence  External quality assurance criteria and processes  Accountability procedures

Elements of an internal quality assurance system  Student questionnaires  Courses  Entire programmes  Also: alumni, teaching staff  Approval and review of programmes  Internal evaluation of study programmes  Review team involving staff and students  Possible external element  Improvement measures and follow-up

Example of internal QA

Establishing an internal quality assurance system  Clearly define aims and objectives  Discuss the establishment of an internal quality assurance system with all relevant groups  Academic staff  Non-academic staff  Students  Broad ownership of the internal QA system  It will take time …

European Quality Assurance Register  A web-based list of credible and reliable quality assurance agencies  Substantial compliance with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG)  Evidenced through an external review by independent experts (QA experts, academic staff, students)  Objectives  Enhance trust and confidence  Improve recognition and support mobility  Prevent accreditation mills from gaining credibility  Allow HEIs to make better use of the diversity

European Quality Assurance Register (2) Secretariat: Director + Administrative assistant Founding Members E4 Group Register Committee 11 members in their individual capacity 5 government observers General Assembly Executive Board: 4 members (elected on proposal of the E4) Governmental Members EHEA Governments, CoE, CEPES Approval based on nominations Social Partners BE and EI Appeals Committee 3 members Election

? Different levels of QA HEI Internal quality culture

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