1、UKQualityCodeforHigherEducationJune2024ThisdocumentispublishedinbothEnglishandWelshContentsIntroductionTheUKQualityCodeforHigherEducationStructureRegulatoryinformationHowtheQualityCodeisusedDesigning,developing,implementingandmaintainingprovidersqualityandstandardsf
2、rameworksReviewingpolicyandpracticeEnhancingthestudentlearningexperienceAssuringandpromotingequality,diversityandinclusionSector-AgreedPrinciplesStrategicapproachPrinciple1-TakingastrategicapproachtomanagingqualityandstandardsPrinciple2-EngagingstudentsaspartnersPrin
3、ciple3-Resourcingdeliveryofahigh-qualitylearningexperienceEvaluatingqualityandstandardsPrinciple4-UsingdatatoinformandevaluatequalityPrinciple5-Monitoring,evaluatingandenhancingprovisionPrinciple6-EngaginginexternalreviewandaccreditationImplementingtheapproachtoqual
4、ityenhancementandstandardsPrinciple7-Designing,developing,approvingandmodifyingprogrammesPrinciple8-OperatingpartnershipswithotherorganisationsPrinciple9-Recruiting,selectingandadmittingstudentsPrinciple10-SupportingstudentstoachievetheirpotentialPrinciple11-Teaching,learning
5、andassessmentPrinciple12-Operatingconcerns,complaintsandappealsprocessesGlossaryofkeyterms1112222334445677891010111213141516Introduction1TheUKQualityCodeforHigherEducationTheUKQualityCodeforHigherEducation(QualityCode)articulatestheprinciplesofUKhighereducationforsecu
6、ringacademicstandardsandassuringandenhancingquality.ThisisthefourthversionoftheQualityCodesinceitwasfirstdevelopedinthelate1990s.TheQualityCodewasoriginallydevelopedbyandfortheUKhighereducationsector.Thiseditionisintendedtohaveapplicationbeyondhighereducationinreco
7、gnitionthatmanypartsoftheUKareseekingtodeveloptertiaryapproachestoeducation.Consequently,itshouldalsobeofinterestandofferpracticalhelptoawiderangeofpost-secondaryeducationproviders.TheQualityCodeisasector-ledreferencepointwhichcanbeusedinarangeofflexibleways.Itenablesproviderst
9、odeenablesproviderstoseewhatisexpectedofthemandwhattheycanexpectofeachother,irrespectiveofthespecificregulatoryframeworkinwhichtheyoperate.Itinformsthepublic,protectsstudentsinterestsandchampionstheUKsworld-leadingreputationforhigh-qualityeducationprovision.StructureTheQual
10、ityCodecomprisestwoelements-Sector-AgreedPrinciplesandKeyPractices.ItissupportedbyasuiteofAdviceandGuidance.2RegulatoryinformationTheQualityCodeisUK-wideandreflectsthetypicalapproachestodeliveringhigherleveleducationacrosstheUK,whilerespectingdifferentregulatoryrequirements.Itisake
11、yreferencepointinthequalityapproachesforScotland,WalesandNorthernIreland.InEngland,providersneedtocomplywiththeOfficeforStudentsRegulatoryFrameworkandConditionsofRegistration.EngagingwiththeQualityCodeisvoluntaryforprovidersbasedinEngland,exceptforthoseprovidersreview
12、edagainsttheQualityCodeusingtheEducationalOversightReview(EOR)method.RecognisingthedifferentregulatoryapproachesacrosstheUKandthewaysinwhichtheQualityCodeisusedacrossdifferenteducationalframeworks,providerswillneedtosatisfythemselvesthattheirstatutoryandregulatoryrequirementsareadher
13、edto.TheQualityCodedoesnotlistalltheseobligations.Furtherinformationisavailableforprovidersfromtheirnationalfundersandregulators.AllprovidersacrosstheUKcanusetheQualityCodetosatisfythemselves,externalstakeholdersandinternationalpartnersthattheirqualityprocessessupport
14、enhancementabovethebaseline.BecausetheQualityCodealignstotheESG,itoffersprovidersaninternationallyrecognisedframeworkthroughwhichtheycandemonstratetheirdeliveryofahigh-qualitystudentexperience,enablingstudentstosucceedintheirstudiesandprogresstheirpersonalandprofessionalg
15、oals.HowtheQualityCodeisusedTheUKQualityCodecanbeappliedacrossthefullrangeoflevels,modesandlocationsofstudyandqualifications,includingfoundationandresearchdegrees,modularprovisionandmicro-credentials.TheoverarchingSector-AgreedPrinciplesandKeyPracticesofferaframeworkonwhichto
16、design,develop,implementandenhancethequalityofprovisionregardlessofregulatoryapproach,preciseeducationalsettingorlevelormodeofstudy.MorespecificallytheQualityCodecanbeusedfor:Designing,developing,implementingandmaintainingprovidersqualityandstandardsframeworksTheQualityCodecanbe
17、usedtodesignandshapeprovidersownqualityandstandardsframeworks.Theseframeworksarticulateprovidersinternalexpectationsforhigh-qualityprovision,whicharetailoredtotheirindividualcontexts.Itcanactasabasisfortrainingandforbenchmarkingpracticeandmanagementreportingon
18、qualityandstandards.Inaddition,itcanbeusedasacomponentpartofprogramme/moduleapprovalandreview,forworkingwithpartnersbothintheUKandoverseas,andtoinformcontinuousimprovement.ReviewingpolicyandpracticeTheQualityCodeisatoolforeffectiveevaluationandreviewofpolicyandprac
19、tice.Italsoactsasaguideforexternalreview,capturingSector-AgreedPrinciplesthatprovidersandexternalreviewerscanusetoevaluatetheirpractices.3EnhancingthestudentlearningexperienceProviderscanusetheQualityCodetosystematicallyimprovethequalityofprovisionandtheways
20、inwhichstudentslearningissupported.Enhancingthestudentexperienceinvolvesproviderstakingdeliberatestepswhichmaybepartofcontinuousimprovementormoresignificantchangesinpolicyandpractice.ThedifferentelementsoftheQualityCodecanbeusedasaframeworktomeasuretheeffectivenessofqualityassurancean
21、dtoidentifyareasforenhancement.Forexample,providersmaychoosetomaptheirpracticetotheoverarchingSector-AgreedPrinciplestoestablishabenchmarkfortheirapproachtoqualityandstandards,thenconsidertheKeyPracticesasameanstoevaluateiftheyaremeetingthePrinciples,beforefinallylookingt
22、otheAdviceandGuidancetoenhancetheirpracticeandofferspecialistpractitionersmorein-depthinformation.Assuringandpromotingequality,diversityandinclusion,andenvironmentalsustainabilityByapplyingtheSector-AgreedPrinciplesandKeyPractices,providerscanreflectontheextenttowhichtheirapproachtoquali
23、tyandstandardssupportsthecreationofinclusive,environmentallysustainableandequitableexperiencesforstudentsandstaff.ThePrinciplesstatethatproviderswillhaveastrategyforequality,diversityandinclusion,andenvironmentalsustainabilitythatisembeddedintheirorganisationalculture.Pr
24、ovidersarealsoexpectedtosystematicallymonitorthearrangementstheyhaveinplacetoensuretheyareoperatingeffectively.Thiswillsupportallstudentstofulfiltheirpotentialandensurethatnoindividualorgroupisdisadvantagedbyteachingpracticesorcurricula.Engagingstudentsaspartnerswillsu
25、pportthewideraimsofinclusivityandenableproviderstodevelopequitableapproachestoqualityassuranceandenhancement.ThroughtheapplicationoftheSector-AgreedPrinciplesandKeyPractices,providersareencouragedtoreflectonhowtheirapproachtoqualityandstandardssupportsenvironmentalsustain
26、ability.DeliveryofEducationforSustainableDevelopmentsupportsproviderstoaddresstheUNSustainableDevelopmentGoals,whichcallonallproviderstoensurealllearnerstoacquiretheknowledgeandskillsneededtopromotesustainabledevelopment(Target4.7:Sustainabledevelopmentandglobalcitiz
27、enship).Inaddition,EducationforSustainableDevelopmentraisesawarenessamongstudentsandstaff,helpingthemtodevelopaskillsetthatisfuture-focusedandgloballyapplicable.Sector-AgreedPrinciples4TheSector-AgreedPrinciplesidentifythefundamentalnatureofqualityandstandardsinUKhighereduc
28、ation.Thereare12PrinciplesandeachhasasetofKeyPracticeswhichproviderscanfollowtodemonstratehowtheyareadheringtothatPrinciple.StrategicapproachPrinciple1-TakingastrategicapproachtomanagingqualityandstandardsProvidersdemonstratetheyhaveastrategicapproachtosec
29、uringacademicstandardsandassuringandenhancingqualitythatisembeddedacrosstheorganisation.KeyPracticesa.Academicstandardsandthequalityofthestudentlearningexperiencearetheresponsibilityoftheprovider.Degree-awardingbodiesareawarethattheyhaveultimateresponsibilityforth
30、equalificationsofferedintheirname.b.Thestrategicapproachisemployedwhereverandhoweverprovisionisdeliveredandisembeddedinthecultureandpracticesofproviders.c.Thestrategicapproachalignswithproviderspoliciesandpracticesonequity,equality,diversityandinclusion,andenvironmen
31、talsustainabilityforstudentsandstaff.d.Thestrategicapproachtosecuringacademicstandards,qualityassuranceandenhancementispublished,communicatedclearlyandaccessibletostaff,studentsandexternalstakeholders.Itissupportedbyacomprehensiveandtransparentgovernanceframework.e.Thestrate
32、gicapproachismonitoredandevaluatedonaregularbasis.f.Externalexpertiseisakeyelementofthestrategicapproachtomanagingqualityandstandards.5Principle2-EngagingstudentsaspartnersProviderstakedeliberatestepstoengagestudentsasactivepartnersinassuringandenhancingtheq
33、ualityofthestudentlearningexperience.Engagementhappensindividuallyandcollectivelytoinfluencealllevelsofstudyanddecisionmaking.Enhancementsidentifiedthroughstudentengagementactivitiesareimplemented,whereappropriate,andcommunicatedtostaffandstudents.KeyPracticesa.Studentengagementthroughp
34、artnershipworkingisstrategicallyled,student-centredandembeddedinthecultureofproviders.b.Studentengagementandrepresentationactivitiesareclearlydefined,communicated,resourcedandsupported.Transparentarrangementsareinplaceforthecollectivestudentvoicetobeheardandrespondedto.c.
35、Providersdemonstrateeffectiveengagementwithstudents,ensuringanyrepresentativegroupsorpanelsreflectthediversityofthestudentbody.Studentsunderstandthattheirvoicehasbeenlistenedtoandareawareofhowtheirviewshaveimpactedtheassuranceandenhancementofthestudentexperience.d.Studenteng
36、agementopportunitiesandprocessesareinclusiveofstudentscharacteristicsandresponsivetothediversityofeachprovidersstudentpopulation.Theyinvolvestudentrepresentativebodies,whereapplicable.e.Providersandstudentrepresentativebodies,wheresuchbodiesareinplace,recogniseandce
37、lebratethecontributionofstudentstotheenhancementofteachingandlearningandthewiderstudentexperience.f.Studentsareenabledandencouragedtoactivelyengageinthegovernanceandenhancementofthewiderstudentexperiencebeyondtheformalcurriculum.6Principle3-Resourcingdeliveryo
38、fahigh-qualitylearningexperienceProvidersplan,secureandmaintainresourcesrelatingtolearning,technology,facilitiesandstaffingtoenablethedeliveryandenhancementofanaccessible,innovativeandhigh-qualitylearningexperienceforstudentsthatalignswiththeprovidersstrategyandthecompositi
39、onofthestudentbody.KeyPracticesa.Strategicandoperationalplans,alongwithresources,alignwiththestudentjourneyandaredesignedandimplementedtosupportapositivestudentexperienceandenablestudentachievement.b.Providersensuretheyhavededicated,accessibleandinclusiveresources
40、tosupportandenhancethedeliveryoftheirprogrammes(andsmallerunitsofstudy)alongwiththewell-beingofstudentsandstaff.Theseincludestaffing,digitalandphysicalresources.c.Resourcesarereviewedandupdatedinalignmentwithstrategicdevelopmentsandchangesinprovision,aswellasstaffandstude
41、ntrecruitment.Thisalsoensuresrelevancetotheworkplaceandthewideracademicdiscipline.d.Resourcesareallocatedtoensurethatstaffreceiveongoingprofessionaldevelopmenttosupportandenhancethedeliveryofahigh-qualityandinnovativestudentlearningandresearchexperience.e.Processesandactivi
42、tiestosupportthemanagementofacademicstandardsandqualityenhancementareappropriatelyresourcedtomeetstrategic,operationalandregulatoryobjectivesandrequirements.f.Thecreation,developmentandmaintenanceofaccessibleandinclusivelearningenvironments(physicalandvirtual)offerallst
43、udentstheopportunitytobeengagedintheirlearningexperienceandfacilitateasenseofbelonging.Providersensuretheyconsiderenvironmentalsustainabilityindesigningandmaintainingtheselearningresourcesandfacilities.g.Providers,incollaborationwithstaffandstudents,monitorandevaluateonasystem
44、aticbasistheeffectivenessandimpactoflearningenvironmentsandtheresourcesrequiredforthedeliveryandenhancementofthelearningexperience.7EvaluatingqualityandstandardsPrinciple4-UsingdatatoinformandevaluatequalityProviderscollect,analyseandutilisequalitativeandquantitativedataa
45、tprovider,departmental,programmeandmodulelevels.Theseanalysesinformdecision-makingwiththeaimofenhancingpracticesandprocessesrelatingtoteaching,learningandthewiderstudentexperience.KeyPracticesa.Aconsistent,coherentandevidence-informedstrategicapproachtothecollection,s
46、torageandmanagementofdataisemployedacrosstheprovider.Theprovidermakesexplicitthetypeandlevelofdatautilised(suchasdepartmental,programme,modulelevel)andthepoliciesandprocessesthatunderpinitsuseinthemaintenanceofacademicstandardsandtheassuranceandenhancementof
47、quality.b.Staffandstudentsareawareofthetypesofdatagatheredandhowitisstoredandusedinthemanagementofqualityandstandards.c.Whendesigningandoperatingmonitoringandevaluationarrangements,staffandstudentsadheretoethicalanddataprotectionrequirementsrelatingtogatheringandsubmittingdatafor
48、nationaldatasets,regulatorypurposes,andinternalmonitoringandevaluation.d.Staffwhoarerequiredtocollect,manipulateandanalysedataforreporting,qualityassuranceandenhancementpurposesreceivetrainingthatenablesthemtoundertaketheseactivitieseffectively,ethicallyandsecurely.Policiescoveranythird-
49、partyuseofdata,includingapplicationsutilisingGenerativeArtificialIntelligence.e.Providersinpartnershiparrangements(includingthestudentrepresentativebody,whereapplicable)ensuredatasharingagreementsandreportingrequirementsareclearlystated,understoodandreviewedperiodically.f.Datais
50、collectedandanalysedinwaysthatenableproviderstounderstandandrespondtotheneedsoftheirstudentpopulations,promotingequality,diversityandinclusion,andenvironmentalsustainability.8Principle5-Monitoring,evaluatingandenhancingprovisionProvidersregularlymonitorandreviewtheir
51、provisiontosecureacademicstandardsandenhancequality.Deliberatestepsaretakentoengageandinvolvestudents,staffandexternalexpertiseinmonitoringandevaluationactivity.Theoutcomesandimpactoftheseactivitiesareconsideredatproviderleveltodrivereflectionandenhancementacrosstheprovider.
52、KeyPracticesa.Providersagreestrategicprinciplesformonitoringandevaluationtoensureprocessesareappliedsystematically,operatedconsistentlyandappropriatetotheiroperationalcontext.b.Themethodsformonitoringandevaluationactivityaredocumentedtoclarifytheiraims,objectives,int
53、endedactionsandtargets.Theyareexplicitabouthowtheywillbeconducted,thenatureofevidence(data)tobeconsideredandtheformofreporting,alongwithkeyindicatorsofsuccess.c.Staffandstudentsareengagedinmonitoringandevaluationactivitiesandreceiveappropriatetrainingandsupporttoundert
54、akethem.d.Theactionsandoutcomesfrommonitoringandevaluationactivitiesarecommunicatedinanaccessiblemannertostaff,students,thegoverningbodyand,whererequired,externalstakeholders.e.Improvementsandenhancementsthathavebeenimplementedasaresultofmonitoringandevaluationare,inturn,
55、monitoredandevaluatedtoensuretheirimpactispositiveandremainsfitforpurpose.f.Monitoringandevaluationactivityfacilitatesprovidersinsightsandpromotionofequality,diversityandinclusion,andeducationforsustainabledevelopment.g.Programmesandmodulesaremonitoredandreviewedregularl
56、ybyinternalandexternalpeers,employersandstudents,inlinewiththeprovidersstrategicapproachtoqualityandstandards.Outcomesfromprocessesrequiredfromfunding,accrediting,professionalandapprovalbodiesfeedintomonitoringandreview.9Principle6-Engaginginexternalreviewandaccre
57、ditationProvidersengagewithexternalreviewstogiveassuranceabouttheeffectivenessoftheirapproachtomanagingqualityandstandards.Externalreviewsofferinsightsaboutthecomparabilityofprovidersapproachesandgenerateoutcomesthatproviderscanusetoenhancetheirpoliciesandpractices.Reviewsmay
58、becommissionedbyproviders,formpartofanationalqualityframeworkorlinkedtoprofessionalrecognitionandactivelyincludestaff,studentsandpeers.Theycanbeundertakenbyrepresentativeorganisations,agenciesorprofessional,statutoryandregulatorybodies(PSRBs)withrecognisedsectorexpertiseaccording
59、totheprovisionbeingreviewed.KeyPracticesa.Externalreview,whetheroptionalorrequiredbynationalqualityframeworksoraccreditingbodies,isbuiltintotheprovidersstrategicapproachandalignstointernalqualityandstandardsmonitoringandevaluationactivity.b.Providersuseoutcomesfro
60、mexternalreviewandaccreditationasacatalystforongoingimprovementandstrategicenhancementofthestudentlearningexperience.c.Providersacknowledgeandsupporttheexpertiseandresourcerequiredtoparticipateinexternalreviewandaccreditation.d.Providerswhoengageinexternalreview
61、understandtheUKnationalregulatoryandlegislativecontextsinwhichtheyoperateandthedifferentapproaches,formsandfocustheymaytake.Providersmayengagecolleagueswithinternationalexpertise,inadditiontothosefamiliarwithUKrequirements.e.Providersunderstandtherequirementsandprocessfo
62、rexternalreviewsthatmayberequiredbyregulatorsinpartnerdeliverylocations.10ImplementingtheapproachtoqualityenhancementandstandardsPrinciple7-Designing,developing,approvingandmodifyingprogrammesProvidersdesign,develop,approveandmodifyprogrammesandmodulestoensurethequal
63、ityofprovisionandtheacademicstandardsofawardsareconsistentwiththerelevantQualificationsFramework.ProvidersensuretheirprovisionandlevelofqualificationsarecomparabletothoseofferedacrosstheUKand,whereapplicable,TheFrameworkofQualificationsforTheEuropeanHigherEducationArea.KeyPracticesa.A
64、llprogrammesandmodulesmeetacademicstandardsthatareconsistentwithrelevantnationalqualificationsandcreditframeworks.Whereapplicable,provisionalsomeetsprofessionalbodyandaccreditationrequirements,andapprenticeshipstandards.b.Adefinitivesetofdocumentsareproducedfromthedesign,developme
65、nt,approvalandmodificationprocesses,whichareheldsecurelyandactastheprimarysourceofinformationabouteachprogramme.Similarbutproportionatearrangementsareinplaceformodulesandsmallerunitsofstudy.c.Theawardtobereceivedandhowoutcomesofstudyarerecordedandcertificatedaremadecleartoallstudent
66、sandstaffinvolvedintheteaching,learningandevaluationoftheprogrammeandmodule.d.Policiesandprocessesthatsupportthedesign,development,approvalandmodificationofprogrammesandmodulesarepublishedoneachproviderswebsiteandareeasilyaccessibletokeystakeholders.e.Externalengagementandevaluat
67、ionformacomponentpartofthedesign,development,approvalandmodificationprocess.f.Thedesign,development,approvalandmodificationprocessesalignwithproviderspoliciesandpracticesonequity,equality,diversityandinclusion,andenvironmentalsustainability.g.Studentsareinvolvedmeaningfullyinthe
68、design,development,approvalandmodificationofprogrammesandmodules.11Principle8-OperatingpartnershipswithotherorganisationsProvidersandtheirpartnersagreeproportionatearrangementsforeffectivegovernancetosecuretheacademicstandardsandenhancethequalityofprogrammesandmodulesthatared
69、eliveredinpartnershipwithothers.Organisationsinvolvedinpartnershiparrangementsagreeandcommunicatethemutualandspecificresponsibilitiesinrelationtodelivering,monitoring,evaluating,assuringandenhancingthelearningexperience.KeyPracticesa.Whereacademicprovisionisdeliveredthroughpa
70、rtnership,allpartnersagree,understand,communicateandtakeresponsibilityforthemaintenanceofacademicstandardsandenhancementofquality.b.Providersareawarethatworkinginpartnershipwithotherorganisationswillinvolvedifferentlevelsofrisk.Duediligenceprocessesarecompletedinaccordance
71、witheachprovidersapproachtominimisingrisk,maintainingacademicstandardsandenhancingquality.c.Writtenagreementsbetweenpartnersaresignedpriortothestartofaprogrammeormoduleandcoverthelifecycleofthepartnership,includingdetailsaboutclosingapartnership.d.Providersandtheirpartner
72、sensurecompliancewiththeregulatoryandlegislativerequirementsofthecountriesinwhichtheyworkandmaintainanawarenessoftheculturalcontextinwhichtheyoperate.Providersensurestudentshaveinformationabouttheresponsibilitiesofeachpartnerandwheretogoforsupportthroughou
73、ttheirstudies.e.Providersmaintainaccurate,up-to-daterecordsofpartnershiparrangementsthataresubjecttoaformalagreement.f.Partnershipsaresubjecttoongoingscrutinythatincludesperiodicmonitoring,evaluationandreviewtoassurequalityandfacilitateenhancement.12Principle9-Recrui
74、ting,selectingandadmittingstudentsProvidersoperaterecruitment,selectionandadmissionsprocessesthataretransparent,fairandinclusive.Providersmaintainandpublishaccurate,relevantandaccessibleinformationabouttheirprovision,enablingstudentstomakeinformedchoicesabouttheirstud
75、iesandfutureaspirations.KeyPracticesa.Policiesandproceduresforapplication,recruitment,selectionandadmissiontoprogrammesarereliable,fair,transparentandaccessible,includingprocessesfortherecognitionofpriorlearning.Similarandproportionatearrangementsareinplaceformodulesa
76、ndotherunitsofstudy.b.Providersofferinformationthatsupportsprospectivestudents,andtheiradvisorsforrecruitmentandwideningaccesspurposes,inmakinginformeddecisions.Providersmeettheirlegalandregulatoryobligationsinrelationtotheinformationpresentedaboutthemselvesandtheirprov
77、isionoranychangestheymaketoprogrammesandmodules.c.Staff,studentrepresentativesandexternalpartnersengagedinthedeliveryofrecruitment,selection,admissionsandwideningaccessprocessesareappropriatelytrainedandresourced.d.Allteamsinvolvedintheapplication,selectionandadmissionsproc
78、essesensureinformationabouttheapplicantjourneyisconsistentandclear.Specificelementsoftheselectionprocessareclearlydefinedandanyprogrammeormodulechangesthatcanimpactdecisionmakingarecommunicatedswiftlyandconsistentlytoenableallpartiestoexerciseinformedchoice.13Principle10-Supportin
79、gstudentstoachievetheirpotentialProvidersfacilitateaframeworkofsupportforstudentsthatenablesthemtohaveahigh-qualitylearningexperienceandachievetheirpotentialastheyprogressintheirstudies.Thesupportstructurescaffoldstheacademic,personalandprofessionallearningjourney,en
80、ablingstudentstorecogniseandarticulatetheirprogressandachievements.KeyPracticesa.Accessible,relevant,accurateandtimelyinformationisofferedtostudentsandthestaffsupportingthemthroughoutthelearningjourneyabouttheprovider,programmeofstudy,wideropportunitiesfordevelopmentandavailabilityo
81、fsupportservices.b.Allstudentsaresupportedatkeytransitionpointsthroughouttheirjourney,withtheirspecificneedsandrequirementsmetandtheirpathwaysintolearningrecognised.c.Studentsandstaffareawareoftheongoingacademic,professionalandpastoralservicesandactivitiesavailable,andstudentsare
82、encouragedtoaccesstheseopportunitiesandsupportthroughouttheirlearningjourney.d.Staffareappropriatelyqualified,trainedandsupportedtodeliverhigh-qualitylearningandsupportforallstudents,particularlythosewithspecificneedsandrequirements.e.Studentsandstaffrecognisethatactivitiesofferedoutsideth
83、eformalcurriculumarebeneficialforpromotingstudentssenseofbelonging,aswellasprovidingopportunitiestobroadentheirskillsandachievements,complementingtheirformalstudies.14Principle11-Teaching,learningandassessmentProvidersfacilitateacollaborativeandinclusiveapproachthatenablesstude
84、ntstohaveahigh-qualitylearningexperienceandtoprogressthroughtheirstudies.Allstudentsaresupportedtodevelopanddemonstrateacademicandprofessionalskillsandcompetencies.Assessmentemploysavarietyofmethods,embodyingthevaluesofacademicintegrity,producingoutcomesthatare
85、comparableacrosstheUKandrecognisedglobally.KeyPracticesa.Learningandassessmentatalllevelsisinformedbyresearchand/orscholarship.Teaching,learningandassessmentaligntoensurestudentscandemonstratetheirachievements,reflectonandreinforcetheirpriorlearning,skillsandknowledge,and
86、fulfiltheirpotential.b.Studentsaregivenclearinformationabouttheintendedmodularand/orprogrammelearningoutcomesandthepurposeofassessmentandareenabledtousefeedback/feedforwardtosupportfurtherlearning.c.Staffinvolvedinfacilitatinglearningandsupervisingresearchareappropriatelyq
87、ualifiedandsupportedtoenhancetheirteachingandsupervisorypractice.Researchdegreesaredeliveredinsupportiveenvironmentsthatareconducivetolearningandresearch.d.Studentsareenabledandencouragedtotakeresponsibilityfortheirownlearningandtotakeanactiveroleinshapingandenhancingthelear
88、ningprocess.Providersofferongoingadviceandguidanceaboutacademicintegritytoensurethatstudentsandstaffunderstandwhatisexpectedofthem.e.Asstudentsmovethroughtheirlearningjourney,theyaregiventheopportunityandsupporttotransitioneffectivelybetweenacademiclevels,furtherstudyandemploy
89、ment.Providersenablestudentstorecognisetheprogressiontheyhavemadeandstepstheyneedtotaketoachievetheirpotential.f.Providersdesignassessmentsthattestappropriatelearningoutcomesandarefair,reliable,accessible,authenticandinclusive.Whereapplicable,andsustainable,studentsa
90、reoffereddifferentoptionsforundertakingassessmentstopromoteaccessibilityandinclusion.g.Providersestablishcoherentapproachestotechnologiesthatimpactteaching,learningandassessment(suchasGenerativeArtificialIntelligence).Theseapproachesareclearlycommunicatedtostaffandstudents,includehowtheyar
91、eutilisedanddefinemisuseofsuchtechnologies.h.Providersofferadviceandguidanceaboutacademicintegritytoensurethatstudentsandstaffunderstandwhatisexpectedofthemthroughoutthelearningjourney.Theadviceiskeptcurrent.15Principle12-Operatingconcerns,complaintsandappealsprocessesProvidersoperatepro
92、cessesforcomplaintsandappealsthatarerobust,fair,transparentandaccessible,andclearlyarticulatedtostaffandstudents.Policiesandprocessesforconcerns,complaintsandappealsareregularlyreviewedandtheoutcomesareusedtosupporttheenhancementofprovisionandthestudentexperience.KeyP
93、racticesa.Policiesandprocessesforconcerns,complaintsandappealsareaccessible,robustandinclusive,andenableearlyresolutionwhereverpossibleandincludeinformationrelatingtorecruitment,selectionandadmission.b.Concerns,complaintsandappealspoliciesandprocedures,includinginformati
94、onaboutthem,areclearandtransparenttostudents,thoseadvisingthemandthoseimplementingtheprocesses.Formalandinformalstagesoftheprocessesareclearlyarticulated.c.Providersmeet(whereapplicable)thenationalandinternationalrequirementsofexternalbodieswithresponsibilityforhearingor
95、overseeingconcernsandcomplaints.d.Actionsresultingfromconcerns,complaintsandappealsareproportionateandenablecasestoberesolvedasearlyaspossible.e.Processesforconcerns,complaintsandappealsaremonitoredandreviewedtoensuretheypromoteenhancementthroughouttheproviderand
96、operateasintended,tothebenefitofstudentsandstaff.f.Outcomesfromconcerns,complaintsandappealsareusedtodevelopandenhanceteachingandlearningandthewiderstudentexperience.Glossaryofkeyterms16ThetermsbelowaredefinedinthecontextofusingtheQualityCode.Furtherinformationregardingthedef
97、initionswillbemadeavailableintheAdviceandGuidancethatsupportstheQualityCode.Pleasenotethesetermsmaybedefineddifferentlyinothercontexts(withinandbeyondhighereducation)andbydifferentstakeholders(suchasregulators,studentsandindividualproviders).AcademicexperienceThestudentsexperienceofstudyinga
98、ndtheirexperienceofanyotherresources,support,facilitiesandopportunitiesthattheprovidermakesavailabletosupporttheirlearning.AcademicIntegrityAcommitmenttothefundamentalvaluesofhonesty,trust,fairness,respectandresponsibility.Theoppositeofacademicintegrityisunethicalp
99、racticessuchasplagiarism,collusion,contractcheatingoracademicmisconduct.EnhancementThedeliberateandsystematicimprovementinthequalityofprovisionandthewaysinwhichstudentslearningissupported,involvingtheactiveengagementofstudentsandstaff.Enhancementhasdifferentinterpretation
100、sacrosstheUKwithsomeUKnationshavinganenhancement-ledregulatoryframework.EqualityEachindividualorgroupofpeopleisgiventhesameresourcesoropportunities,butQAAconsidersthatequalityshouldincludetheconceptofequity,whichrecognisesthateachpersonhasdifferentneedsandthereforer
101、esourcesandopportunitiesshouldbeallocatedtoreachanequaloutcome.HighqualityQualityassuranceandenhancementpracticesandprocessesthatarerobustandimplementedconsistentlywithaviewtoassuringandenhancingthestudentexperience.Itleadstocredibleandrecognisedoutcomesforst
102、udents.ModuleAself-contained,formallystructuredunitofstudywithacoherentandexplicitsetoflearningoutcomesandassessmentcriteria.Someinstitutionsusethewordcoursetorefertoindividualmodules.Canbereferredtoasunitsofstudyinfurthereducationproviders.PartnershipAllformal
103、arrangements(intheUKoroverseas)whereaproviderworkswithotherstodesignand/ordelivercoursesand/ortoawardqualifications.Theprocessesproviderswillneedtofollowtoassurehighqualitywillvaryconsiderablydependingonthetypeofpartnershipandtherisksinvolved.Typesofpartnershipinclude
104、:validation/approvalsubcontracting/franchisingwork-basedlearningcollaborationwithemployers(includingtodeliverapprenticeships)transnationaleducation(TNE)internationalpartnershipsandcollaborationshybridapproachescombiningmorethanoneoftheabove.Programme(ofstudy)Anapprovedcourse
105、ofstudythatprovidesacoherentlearningexperienceandnormallyleadstoaqualification.UKhighereducationprogrammesmustbeapprovedandvalidatedbyUKdegree-awardingbodies.QualityReferstohowwellproviderssupportstudentstoconsistentlyachievepositiveoutcomesinlearning,personaldevelopment
106、andcareeradvancement,whilemeetingthereasonableexpectationsofthosestudents,employers,governmentandsocietyingeneral.Standards/academicstandardsThesearethestandardsthatdegree-awardingbodiessetandmaintainfortheawardofacademiccreditorqualifications.Degree-awardingbodiesarerespon
107、siblefordefiningtheirownacademicstandardsbysettingthepassmarksanddeterminingthegrading/markingschemesandanycriteriaforclassificationofqualificationsthatdifferentiatebetweenlevelsofstudentachievementaboveandbelowthethresholdacademicstandards.Theseindividualstandardsaligntonationalqu
108、alificationsandcreditframeworksand/orTheFrameworkofQualificationsfortheEuropeanHigherEducationArea.StrategicapproachAclearlyarticulatedapproachtomanagingqualityandstandardsaspartofaproviderseducationstrategy,withcomprehensiveandeffectivegovernanceanddecision-makingstructuresreachi
109、nguptogoverningbodiesandincludingoperationallevels.Governance,andgovernanceframeworks,refersinthiscontexttoprocessesandsystemsthatdefineandgoverninstitutionaldecisionmaking.StudentsAlllearners/studentsirrespectiveofbackgroundoranyprotectedcharacteristics,studyingatanylevel
110、andbyanymode(including,butnotlimitedto,undergraduateandpostgraduate;full-timeandpart-time;distance,work-basedandon-campuslearners;highereducationapprentices).StudentsaspartnersWorkingwithstudentsasapartnerorinpartnershipisusedtodefineandindicatejointworkingbetweenstudents(orthe
111、studentrepresentativebody,studentsunion,association,orguildiftheyhaveone)andstaffattheprovider.Thelevelofeachpartnersengagementwillvarydependingonthecontextandnatureofthestudentexperience.Studentpartnershipsreflectamaturerelationshipbasedonmutualrespectbetweenstudentsandstaff.17Student
112、voiceTheindividualorcollectiveperspectiveopinion,feedbackorcontributionofstudents.Itcanrelatetoanyaspectoftheacademicorwiderstudentexperienceandshouldbesoughtacrossaprovidercoveringthebreadthofprovisionandincludedindecision-makingcommittees.Theuseofstudentvoiceisi
113、ntegraltothequalityenhancementofprovision.TertiaryeducationAllpost-secondaryeducationencompassingfurtherandhighereducationincludingacademic,vocationalandprofessionalqualifications.HowthetermisinterpretedvariesbetweentheUKnations:InScotlanditreferstocollege,universityandwork-bas
114、edlearning.InWalesitreferstoallprovisionfrompost-16education(includingsixthform)upwards.InEnglandandNorthernIrelanditisagenerictermwhichcancoverfurtherandhighereducation,butnotsixth-formprovision.Whenworkingwithoverseaspartners,providersshouldalsocheckthedefin
115、itionasunderstoodbytheirpartnerasthemeaningoftertiarymayvaryindifferentcountries.Widerstudentexperience/co-curricularexperienceThestudentexperiencebeyondthatofformalacademiclearning,forexampleexperiencegainedthroughrepresentation,participationinsportsandsocieties,careersorvolunteering.18Published-27June2024TheQualityAssuranceAgencyforHigherEducation2024SouthgateHouse,SouthgateStreet,GloucesterGL11UBRegisteredcharitynumbers1062746andSC037786+44(0)1452557000www.qaa.ac.uk