Transcript What is the relationship between the HE qualifications framework and quality assurance? Stephen Adam, June 2011

What is the relationship between the
HE qualifications framework and
quality assurance?
Stephen Adam, June 2011
Definitions:
QUALITY:
‘The level of excellence’
QUALITY ASSURANCE:
‘The means (internal and external) and
processes by which the quality of academic
provision is maintained and confirmed’
STANDARDS:
‘Accepted measurement on which to base a
judgement’
QUALITY ENHANCEMENT:
‘Improving quality’
Qualifications
frameworks
Employability
Agenda
(levels, standards,
transparency)
(VET-HE links +
Recognition of
prior learning
RPL)
(transferable skills)
The pivotal
place of
quality in
the
Bologna
Process
NB. There is no
Bologna automatic
recognition!
Curriculum
Development
(learning outcomes)
QUALITY
ASSURANCE
Credits a
and credit
systems
(ECTS/ECVET)
Student centred
Learning
(Quality of student
Experience)
Lifelong
Learning
Mobility
Recognition
(Lisbon
Recognition
Convention)
(Student, staff,
programme)
The EHEA Bologna cycles are designed to aid countries in the
development of their own level descriptors (which have more
detail) and must directly relate to the EHEA descriptors
(standards). Following self-certification the HEQF of different
countries will link to a common standard.
 Without confidence in the quality assurance of a
country/institution there will be no recognition of qualifications.
 The Bologna reforms are permeated with tools to aid transparency
and hence ‘fair recognition’ judgments can be made…

The main Bologna QA tool:
The E4 Standards and
Guidelines for Quality
assurance in the European
Higher Education Area
(SAG)
Main solution: ‘European Standards and Guidelines (ESG)’
1.
INTERNAL:
3.
STANDARDS & PROCESSES
FOR QA AGENCIES:
Policy and procedures for
QA
Approval, monitoring and
periodic review of
programmes and awards
Assessment of students
Quality assurance of
teaching staff
Learning resources and
student support
Information systems
Public information
Status, activities, resources,
independence, criteria,
accountability, etc.
2. EXTERNAL:
Use of internal QA procedures
Development of external
quality assurance processes
Criteria for decisions
Processes fit for purpose
Reporting
Follow-up procedures
Periodic reviews
System-wide analyses:
Institutional management of quality assurance –
some issues to consider (there is no perfect blueprint for this!)
Establish a permanent staff
development policy linked
Create awareness of QA links to external
Ensure QA has high profile, direct to a policy for quality
reference points/standards: NQF, ENQA,
reporting + independent
enhancement
EQAR, learning outcomes, subject benchmarks
leadership + sufficient resources +
statement/sectoral standards, recognition,
full student participation
employability, etc
Establish clear routes for
accountability + QA as a standing
committee item + a unit/centre
with responsibility (second in staff)
Publish an institutional QA handbook (to
include standards, definitions, objectives,
formats/tools, processes, etc.) + strategy
for implementation
Establish and change priorities/focus
as necessary, e.g. employability,
student-centered learning, mobility,
flexibility, generic skills, assessment
methods
Have clear approaches for programme:
(1) Review
(2) Validation
(3) Annual monitoring
Instigate periodic institutional audits +
check if a quality culture exists/is
emerging
Establish a system to review QA
arrangements – do they work
(evidence)?
Create a system that is supportive,
avoids QA bureaucracy + any
atmosphere of fear + covers all aspects
of the institution (accommodation,
research, support facilities, etc.)
Ground the new system in the use and
application of learning outcomes + use
it to impact on curriculum
development
E4 Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance
in the European Higher Education Area
Stephen Adam, May 2011: [email protected]
THIS IS NOT
QUALTY
ASSURANCE
IN HE QUALITY
ASSURANCE IS
NOT
SOMETHING
DONE TO YOU!
Web references
Bologna QF web site:
http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/bologna/qf/qf.asp
Council of Europe HE site:
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/highereducation/Default_en.asp
EQF site:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc44_en.htm
European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) –
see workshop reports (especially workshop 5 report – Quality Assurance
and Qualifications frameworks):
http://www.enqa.eu/