University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Quality Assurance in the UK

Stephen RyrieAssociate Dean (Quality Assurance),

University of the West of EnglandBristol, UK

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

The University of the West of England, Bristol

In the city of Bristol

200 km from London

One of the largest universities in the UK

www.uwe.ac.uk

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Why Me?

Institutional Auditor for the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

Have participated in Quality Audits for UK universities

Have helped to lead preparation for UWE’s own Quality Audit

Dr Stephen RyrieUniversity of the West of Englandstephen.ryrie@uwe.ac.uk

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Quality is ...?

High academic standards?

Well-qualified teachers?

All seats on a course filled?

Income greater than expenditure?

Clean and comfortable student hostels?

All graduates finding good placements?

…. ?

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Quality is ...?

The UK definition is:

Confidence in the academic standards achieved by students

Confidence in the quality of teaching and learning experienced by students

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

We won’t have “quality” unless…

We distinguish between Inputs and Outputs

We encourage critical reflection and confident questioning

We establish “quality loops” in which all staff play a part

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Inputs and Outputs

‘Inputs’ are items directly provided by the university: E.g. classrooms, teachers, computer labs, student

hostels, library books, etc. Can usually be increased quickly (by spending

more money!)

‘Outputs’ are the university’s products: Graduates, research papers, etc. Usually can be improved only slowly and

indirectly

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Inputs and Outputs

Inputs: Are not measures of quality, … … but they are often wrongly regarded as such

(because they are easy to count)

Outputs: May be used to measure quality… … but it is often hard to do so, because… … they provide evidence which is often intangible

or contradictory

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Critical Reflection, Confident Questioning

What is the Quality of our university’s Outputs? This is the crucial question, but it is a hard one to

answer!

Needs considered reflection … … willingness to gather and to question evidence … teamwork with colleagues … … willingness to listen to subordinates… … confidence to tell your boss he/she is wrong… … an open-minded and questioning approach

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Quality Loops

Processes which allow issues affecting quality to be identified

Annual reports on standards achieved

Consideration of reports by management, to identify problems and implement solutions

Report again next year on whether the solution has worked – closing the loop!

Peer review is vital Ensures all staff feel responsibility for quality Makes use of the wisdom of the more experienced and

gives confidence to the less experienced

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Quality Loops

In my university we have ‘Quality Loops’ for:

Annual Monitoring and Evaluation of all courses and programmes

Approval of new modules and changes to existing modules

Approval of new programmes and changes to existing programmes

Nomination of new external examiners Consideration of external examiners’ reports Peer Observation of teaching

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

A year in the life of a lecturer

In the course of a year, a lecturer would: Write a review of each course taught, containing an

“action plan” for any desirable changes Write exam papers and have them reviewed by

another member of staff Review exam papers set by others Second-mark exam papers on another course Have 2 lectures observed by another lecturer, and

observe another’s lectures, with constructive criticism afterwards

Participate in decision-making discussions about proposals to change courses or introduce new courses

Be a member of a committee developing new teaching methods

(every 5 years) participate in a major review of all courses in the department

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Focus on External Examiners

The External Examiner: Inspects and approves exam

papers, and may require changes

Selects a sample of scripts and checks the marking

Attends the meeting of the exam board and approves its decisions

Writes an Annual Report on: quality of assessment

procedures standard of student work whether last year’s actions

have been fulfilled

The Department:

Writes exam papers

Marks exam scripts (a sample is marked twice)

Presents all marks at the annual meeting of the Exam Board, which decides on Pass / Fail for each student

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Focus on External Examiners

The External Examiner:

Receives the summary of actions and notes matters which need to be checked again next year

The Department:

The Course Leader receives the EE’s Report and discusses its content with other teachers

Teachers agree what actions are required to meet issues in the EE’s report, and make recommendations for action to management

Management agree actions, and arrange for implementation

Head of Department writes to EE with summary of actions being undertaken

University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk

www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the

West of England

Thank you for listening.

www.uwe.ac.uk