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Photo: The Open University
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) has today published the names of those institutions that will be included in the next stage of its national review of awarding arrangements.
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) commissioned the national review following an investigation by QAA of a concern at the University of Glasgow. It is intended to provide additional assurance that we are delivering against our statutory responsibilities to secure the quality of learning and teaching provision, protect and enhance the student learning experience and ensure quality assurance processes are robust, transparent and support confidence in standards.
Today’s publication by QAA marks the next phase of this process and will involve a deep dive review to determine whether an institution’s arrangements for the awarding of qualifications are being applied consistently, effectively and transparently, and that academic standards are being maintained. Each review will be carried out by a team of three trained peers, including a student reviewer, and will include an on-site visit by the review team.
Those selected for inclusion include a mix of institutions that have met a range of criteria identified through the process to date and institutions that have volunteered to be part of this process. As such, inclusion in the sample does not suggest there is a concern about the awarding arrangements at an institution.
The institutions selected for deep-dive review are as follows:
- Abertay University
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- Herriot-Watt University
- Robert Gordon University
- University of Dundee
- University of Edinburgh
- University of St Andrews
- University of Stirling
- University of the West of Scotland
Commenting on QAA’s publication, Erica Russell-Hensens, Deputy Director of Student Interests, Access and Quality, said:
SFC has robust monitoring and assurance processes in place through the Outcomes Framework and Assurance Model and Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework.
However, given the issues identified following the investigation by QAA of a concern at the University of Glasgow, we are seeking additional assurance through this national review that the risks highlighted in one institution are not systemic.
We are grateful to QAA for moving at pace to ensure the review remains on track to deliver by the end of the year and grateful to the institutions for their full participation.
