Cyngor Cyllido Addysg Uwch Cymru The Higher Education

Cyngor Cyllido Addysg Uwch Cymru The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales The student voice in the Quality Assessment Framework for Wales Nicola Hunt

HEFCW and quality of HE Quality Assessment Framework aims to help fulfil HEFCW’s statutory duty for quality assessment of higher education in Higher Education (Wales) Act 2015 Framework developed to align with proposals in England Northern Ireland to achieve UK comparability Provides a common set of key features, principles and baseline requirements (inc reference to Quality Code and OIA good practice framework) Developed through consultations, stakeholder events and pilot activities Framework published in March 2018

Framework seeks to Preserve the sense of a UK-wide quality system (recognising devolved context) Ensure the continued compliance with international quality expectations, particularly in Europe Emphasise essential role of students as partners in the design and operation of quality assessment arrangements Ultimately, provide the assurance required under the 2015 Act with regards to quality, to enable Fee and Access Plans to be approved, and therefore for regulated institutions to access student support

The Framework Gateway quality review Quality Assessment Framework Arrangements Tailored but Degree for established rapid Standards and providers intervention Comparability International Reputation Risk-based review arrangements UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment Scrutiny of data Annual assurance from the governing body Transnational review visits Triennial visits Working in partnership with students HEFCW complaints process Guidance HEFCW’s Quality Assessment Committee Understanding Degree Algorithms Grade inflation / improvement External examining, professional development and calibration.

Processes! (a) Annual assurance from governing bodies (1 st exercise December 2017) (b) Governing Body to obtain external assurance from an agency on European Quality Assurance Register for HE every 6 years (c) Annual scrutiny of data, student views and other intelligence, and information collected through annual accountability processes (d) HEFCW’s triennial assurance visits; Council institutional visits; other visits and assurance processes (e) Existing institutional risk review process, advised by QAC (f) Partnership arrangements between the student body and HE providers e. g. picked up through Fee and Access Plans

Gathering student views Students on governing body and relevant committees. NUSW on HEFCW’s QAC and Council Report on annual dialogue between institution and student body Every regulated institution to have a student charter Confirmation that students are partners in reviewing and addressing NSS outcomes Students as peer reviewers in Quality Enhancement Reviews Engagement with the student body in HEFCW triennial assurance visits – pilot and 2 visits completed (1 HE, 1 FE) Student members of the UK-wide Standing Committee Students can report concerns directly to HEFCW

More info? Framework on HEFCW website: QAF webpage or Circular W 18/05 HE Come along to our Quality Assessment Framework launch event – 29 June in Cardiff Read our guidance on ‘what we do for students’ and Fee and Access planning Respond to consultations Get in touch!

Thank you Questions? Email: Nicola. hunt@hefcw. ac. uk