Quality Assurance and the internationalisation of UK higher education Richard Jarman Director of Public Engagement Quality Assurance Agency for higher education r.jarman@qaa.ac.uk
UKHE
• Autonomous & independent degree-awarding institutions • ‘Internationalisation’ includes: – International students studying in UKHE – UK students studying overseas – Recognition of UK qualifications – Standards in TNE, including online and joint programmes and dual and joint degrees UK national policies • UK Government’s International Strategy 2013 • UK Outward Student Mobility Strategy • Current UK Government consultation on Review of TNE
Volume & intensity of international UKHE 2nd most popular destination for students wishing to pursue HE studies overseas – UK 13% v. US 16.8% (OECD 2013 – 2011/12)
2nd highest percentage of international students in HE enrolments in the world – UK 16.8% v. Australia 19.8% (OECD 2013 – 2011/12)
435,000 non-UK domiciled students – 25% increase over past 5 years (HESA 2013 – 2011/12)
570,000 TNE students – More than 50% increase over past 5 years (HESA 2013 – 2011/12)
34th for external student mobility – 1 UK student abroad for every 15 int. students in the UK (OECD 2013)
QAA: assuring quality & standards • Assure UKHE wherever and however delivered • UK-wide: England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland • UK Quality Code for Higher Education & external peer-led review – Expectations for academic standards – Subject benchmark statements – Quality of the student experience – Quality in collaborative arrangements • Qualifications Frameworks compatible with that of European Higher Education Area (‘Bologna process’) and processes fully compliant with European Standards & Guidelines for Quality Assurance
QAA’s international strategy • To safeguard standards in an increasingly diverse UK and international context: “ we will protect the interests of everyone working towards a UK higher education qualification, however and wherever they study, within the UK or abroad” AIM 2, Strategic Plan
• • • •
International Networks: INQAAHE, ENQA, APQN etc. Partnerships with quality agencies around the world. Intelligence gathering, events and training. Review of non-UK institutions outside of UK, e.g. Macao, and supporting national systems eg Sri Lanka.
Recognition of qualifications & student mobility • Participate in inter-governmental efforts to facilitate recognition of qualifications to support two-way student mobility and enhance the employability of graduates. • Sometimes mapping qualifications frameworks –other times specific awards.
International students studying in UK • Review of Educational Oversight for ‘alternative providers’ (without degree awarding powers or public funding) – recruiting students from outside the EEA to full programmes of study. • International students studying in the UK: Guidance for UK HE providers (QAA, January 2012)
TNE review • • • • •
Data gathering Desk-based analysis In-country review India, Malaysia, Singapore, China 2014: UAE, West Indies
• Current UK Government consultation on TNE Review: information & costs • Other challenges: cross-border online learning, bogus providers & qualifications, regulation v. Innovation & diversity
Quality Assurance Agency for higher education www.qaa.ac.uk @qaatweets The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales number 3344784. Registered office Southgate House, Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1UB Registered charity numbers 1062746 and SC037786.