1. Quality Assurance in the UK Higher Education System
Prof. Ahmed Guessoum
Computer Science Department, USTHB

2. Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016
Plan
Overview of the UK Higher Education System
Universities, HE Colleges, etc.
University independence, funding, etc.
Credit System and Credit Compatibility (UK, EU)
Quality Assurance Organisation
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)
The Quality Code
Definition
Part A
Part B
Part C
QA Reviews
Conclusion
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

3. Overview of the UK Higher Education System
Higher education institutions are independent, self-governing bodies active in teaching, research and scholarship.
Established by Royal Charter or legislation and most are part-funded by government
Many different types of HE institutions:
universities and university colleges ( charters and statutes made through the Privy Council which advises the Queen on the granting of Royal Charters and incorporation of universities)
a number of publicly designated and autonomous institutions
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

4. Legal powers to award degrees
All universities and many HE colleges have the legal power to
develop their own courses
award their own degrees
determine the conditions on which they are awarded
All universities in existence before 2005 have the power to
award degrees on the basis of completion of taught courses and
the power to award research degrees
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

5. « University » vs « University College »
From 2005,
HE institutions in England and Wales that award only taught degrees (‘first’ and ‘second cycle’) and which meet certain numerical criteria, may also be permitted to use the title ‘university’.
HE institutions that award only taught degrees but which do not meet the numerical criteria may apply to use the title ‘university college’
In the sequel, we will ignore slight differences that may exist between different UK countries
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

6. Independent, Self-Governing Institutions
All HE institutions are subject to the same regulatory QA and funding requirements
All institutions decide for themselves which students to admit and which staff to appoint
Degrees and other HE qualifications are legally owned by the awarding institution, not by the state
Hereafter, when we use the term « university » for « HE institution », it’ll be clear from the context
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

7. Education System in UK (http://www. accreditedqualifications. org

8. The Credit System in UK HE
Most HE institutions operate local credit accumulation and transfer systems for students moving between programmes and/or institutions.
The HE Credit Framework for England was launched in (Similar Frameworks exist for Wales and for Scotland)
Compatible with the Framework for Qualifications of the European HE Area (FQ-EHEA)
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

9. Funding of HE institutions in UK
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has been responsible for the distribution of funding to HE institutions  in England since 1992
Most universities are charities and HEFCE is their principal regulator
2016–17 HEFCE will allocate £3.7 billion in government funds  to HE institutions in England (towards“high quality education, research and related activities“). 
HEFCE funds the institutions not individual students
Helps develop and implement HE policy, based on research and consultation.
HEFCE is also involved with developing links between HE institutions and business and the community
Etc.
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

10. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)
Established in 1997
“The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) is the independent body that checks on standards and quality in UK HE. It
conducts quality assessment reviews,
develops reference points and guidance for providers, and
conducts or commissions research on relevant issues”.
Developed a UK-wide process of Academic Review which comprised elements of both Subject Review and Academic Audit
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

11. The Quality Assurance Agency (cont.)
Trains staff and students to carry out the review of the university
It is independent of government, universities and colleges and its findings and judgements are published on its website
Funding of QAA comes from contracts with
UK HE funding bodies and government departments,
subscriptions from UK universities and colleges,
commissioned work, and
fees from alternative providers required to undergo a review
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

12. Start of the QA reviewing process
Transitional period of three years (2002 to 2005): all HE institutions underwent their first Institutional Audit
Thereafter audits on a six-year cycle
In the year prior to their audit, institutions undergo 'developmental engagements' - unpublished subject-based reviews to support internal quality assurance
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

13. Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016
QA reviewing process
At the beginning selective subject-based enquiries
Then a phased reduction of the subject focus of QAA reviews.
In 2005 a revised Institutional Audit model was developed and adopted with the agreement of the representative bodies and HEFCE.
This model continued in use on a six-year cycle until 2011
Between 2011 and 2013:
a new Quality Code to replace the Academic Infrastructure, and
a new method of Institutional Review
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

14. Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016
QA reviews for all!
In 2011, announcement of a requirement for all private colleges that recruit students to UK HE to undergo a standards and quality review by QAA.
A successful outcome would be essential in order to obtain 'Tier 4 accreditation' also known as 'highly trusted sponsor' status.
QAA conducted 260 of these reviews in the first two years of operation,
29 providers failed their review.
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

15. Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016
The Quality Code
The UK Quality Code for HE is the definitive reference point for all UK HE providers
makes clear what HE providers are required to do, what they can expect of each other, and what students and the general public can expect of them.
covers all providers of UK HE nationally/internationally
protects the interests of ALL students : inclusive environment for learning (varied requirements of learners, e.g. disability, specific cultural background, location or age); and aims to ensure students have equal access to educational opportunities
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

16. Purpose of the Quality Code
Safeguard the academic standards of UK HE
Assure the academic quality of learning opportunities that UK HE offers
Promote continuous and systematic improvement in UK HE
Ensure that information about UK HE is fit for purpose, accessible and trustworthy.
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

17. Who uses the Quality Code
HE providers :
maintain the academic standards of programmes
assure and enhance the quality of learning
provide information about their programmes/degrees
Student representatives and students’ unions in their discussions with their universities: minimum expectations of academic standards defined
QAA reviewers to judge whether a HE provider
meets UK expectations for academic standards,
the quality of learning
improvement or ‘enhancement’, and
Information provided by the universities
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

18. Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016
Quality Code Sections
Part A: Setting and maintaining academic standards : sets out what is expected of degree-awarding bodies in setting, delivering and maintaining the academic standards of the awards that they make. (Includes “Subject Benchmark Statements”)
Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Quality: sets out in detail the processes in which all HE providers engage in order to set, deliver and maintain academic standards, and to assure and enhance the quality of learning opportunities.
Part C: Information about HE provision.
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

19. Part A of the Quality Code
A1: UK and European reference points for academic standards
A2: Degree-awarding bodies reference points for academic standards
A3: Securing academic standards and an outcomes-based approach to academic awards
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

20. Part B of the Quality Code
B1: Programme design, development and approval
B2: Recruitment, selection and admission to HE
B3: Learning and teaching
B4: Enabling student development and achievement
B5: Student engagement
B6: Assessment of students and the recognition of prior learning
B7: External examining
B8: Programme monitoring and review
B9: Academic appeals and student complaints
B10: Managing HE provision with others
B11: Research degrees
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

21. Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016
Quality Code Themes
Reviews can address any of the following themes, as appropriate to the topic:
How information about the topic is communicated to students and other relevant audiences.
How the employability of students can be addressed in relation to the topic.
How equality and diversity issues are embedded throughout.
How the topic considers the needs of a diverse student body.
How the responsibilities of degree-awarding bodies and other HE providers differ in relation to the topic.
How matters relating to the topic might differ in the four nations of the UK.
How the content of the Chapter aligns with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European HE Area and other European and international HE reference points as appropriate.
How good practice and enhancement relate to the topic (including reference to UK relevant publications)
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

22. Quality Assurance Review Process
UK “universities” set their own standards for the degrees and other qualifications they award
Since partly or entirely publicly funded (including through student loans), they must undergo external review to demonstrate that a national 'threshold' standard is met, and that quality is satisfactory
QAA runs the processes of peer review
Reviewers have extensive experience of HE at a senior level + current or recent students
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

23. Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016
Reviews
Reviews check that UK expectations are met by benchmarking the provision against QAA's Quality Code
Other resources used for benchmarks of academic standards include
'subject benchmark statements' (maintained by QAA in consultation with the academic community),
relevant qualifications and credit frameworks,
institutions' own rules and handbooks,
standards set by professional bodies,
and the European Standards and Guidelines maintained by the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

24. Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016
QAA Reviewing Process
QAA’s review methods are informed by
a self-evaluation submitted in advance by each university or college,
a 'student submission' (commentary by its students).
The review places an emphasis on
the existence of robust academic management structures,
policies and approaches that enable national expectations to be fulfilled,
combined with evidence that this is happening.
Evidence is obtained in a variety of ways, including
interviews with relevant individuals and
structured discussions with student and staff focus groups.
QAA reviews
do not generally look at individual courses or programmes of study,
do not review or evaluate students' work.
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

25. Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016
Review Report
Each review results in a published report containing judgements on whether UK expectations are met.
Separate judgements comment on
academic standards,
academic quality, and
the public information provided about courses.
Reports include
recommendations for improvement,
citations of good practice, and
affirmations of actions taken by the “university” to improve since the last review
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

26. Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016
Conclusion
Thorough Quality code
An independent QA Agency devoted to the task
Mandatory cyclic QA reviews checking whether a HE provider
meets UK expectations for academic standards,
the quality of learning
improvement or ‘enhancement’, and
Information provided by the universities
Question remains: how to introduce such a comprehensive system in a country like Algeria where nothing is in place yet?!
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016

27. Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016
References
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, “The Quality Code - A Brief Guide”, February 2015.
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, “ UK Quality Code for Higher Education”, 2015.
UK National Recognition Information Centre( NARIC), “  Description of Higher Education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland”, retrieved 03/08/2016
Wikipedia, Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
Higher Education Funding Council for England, , retrieved 05/08/2016
QAA, “Subject Benchmark Statement – Computing”, February 2016
This whole presentation is basically built from excerpts from the above references.
Pr. Ahmed Guessoum - QA in UK - 6/8/2016