*** QAA Institutional Review ***

As the review approaches will be the first of many updates to keep the students, SU staff and course reps aware of the review processes and ensure that we use this review to make positive impact on the student experience.  

We are currently in stage 1 of the Institutional Review Process where the Institution and the Students' Union prepare evaluation documents to go to the QAA.  You may already be aware of activities that have taken place in preparation for this review such as Engagement Week in February last year.

The SU document is called the Student Written Submission and is based on student feedback from the NSS, feedback from Student Engagement Week 2012, University and Union statistical data, course rep feedback and other surveys and feedback collected from students and reps.  Submission of this will be on 19th November and a draft will be circulated soon for comment.  This document will feature key recommendations for the university on how they can enhance the student experience.

The issues tackled in the review and therefore addressed by the Student Written Submission will be:  maintaining Academic Standards, Quality of support and resources for learning, Public Information for current and prospective students and Quality Enhancement.  There will also be a thematic element to the review looking at Student Engagement.

Anty and I are joint Lead Student Representatives on this review and will be attending a preparatory meeting on Monday where we will find out more about the specifics of the review week and which groups of students the QAA will be asking to speak with. 

Below are some very short useful videos and a PDF about QAA, their Quality Assurance/Enhancement Role and the Institutional Review that you can use to inform students you are engaging and bring yourself up to speed!

* How is quality assured?
This short video explains how quality is assured in higher education and the processes undertaken by universities and colleges and The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) to ensure quality and standards are maintained. It also lays out the vital role students have in these processes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkhTc_RIaJM&sns=em 

* What is Quality Assurance?
This short video sets out what we mean by quality assurance in higher education and the role that The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) plays. It also explains two common terms, quality and standards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaq8b6mgg98&sns=em

* Mini guide: a brief student guide to Institutional review 
A brief guide for students detailing the main stages of Institutional review. It also includes a section on how students can get involved in the review process.
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/mini_guide_IRENI.pdf

**** Review Timescales ****
15th October 2012 Preparatory Meeting: First QAA visit 15th October VP Academic and Academic Affairs Manager attending 
19th November 2013 Submission of Evidence - Student Written Submission uploaded
5th - 6th February 2012 Preparatory Meeting: First QAA team visit VP Academic and Academic Affairs Manager attending 
18th March 2013 Review Week
10th June 2013 Review Report Published by QAA
August 2013 Action Plan published based on report

If you want to discuss any aspects of this review please get in touch, otherwise please still watch the videos, read the QAA PDF to bring yourself up to date and we will be in touch as more information about this review comes through and draft documents are ready.

Best wishes, 

Heather McKnight
Academic Affairs Zone Manager
Brighton Students' Union - Empowering Students

T: 01273-643044
F: 01273-600694
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightonsu.com

A: Students' Union Office, Ringmer House, Village Way, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9PH