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

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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)

13. 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.

14. 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