External Reference Points

Other than Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) standards, the principal external points of reference for UK Higher Education provision are:

1

QAA Academic Infrastructure

i

The Academic Infrastructure is a set of nationally agreed reference points which give all institutions a shared starting point for setting, describing and assuring the quality and standards of their higher education courses. We work closely with the UK higher education sector to develop these reference points.

The Academic Infrastructure has four elements and all are inter-related. The Code of practice is concerned with the management of quality and the other three give advice to institutions about setting standards. http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/AcademicInfrastructure/Pages/default.aspx

 

ii

QAA Code of Practice
QAA Code of Practice for the Assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/code-of-practice/Pages/default.aspx

 

iii

QAA Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications
The frameworks for higher education qualifications describe the achievement represented by higher education qualifications. They apply to degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic awards granted by a higher education provider with degree awarding powers. QAA has developed two frameworks: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/Qualifications/Pages/default.aspx

 

iv

Subject Benchmark Statements
Subject benchmark statements set out expectations about standards of degrees in a range of subject areas. They describe what gives a discipline its coherence and identity, and define what can be expected of a graduate in terms of the abilities and skills needed to develop understanding or competence in the subject.
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/subject-guidance/Pages/Subject-benchmark-statements.aspx

 

v

Programme/Course Specifications
A programme specification is a concise description of the intended learning outcomes from a higher education programme, and how these outcomes can be achieved and demonstrated.
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/subject-guidance/Pages/Programme-specifications.aspx

 

2

The Higher Education Funding Council for England

 The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) distributes public money for teaching and research to universities and colleges. In doing so, it aims to promote high quality education and research, within a financially healthy sector. The Council also plays a key role in ensuring accountability and promoting good practice.

 

i

HEFCE Quality Reports

 

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