During the period 27 January to 24 March 2006, QAA undertook a consultation exercise on the draft revised Code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education (the Code of practice), Section 7: Programme design, approval,monitoring and review .
The consultation paper (CL02/06) requested comment on the draft revised Section 7 of the Code of practice. The draft was prepared with the help of representatives from higher education institutions and professional, statutory and regulatory bodies, and takes account of the views of the Better Regulation Task Force and its successors, the Better Regulation Review Group and Higher Education Regulation Review Group.
Through the consultation exercise, QAA sought to ensure that all institutions had an opportunity to see and comment on the draft.
Around 60responses were received to the consultation. Overall, the majority of respondents stated that they were broadly supportive of the revised section 7 of the Code of practice and welcomed the changes that had been introduced as being appropriate and reflecting the views expressed by representatives of the sector at consultation meetings.
Those aspects of the draft most welcomed by respondents were:
- the inclusion of precept 9 on programme withdrawal
- the increased emphasis on design, including the use of the word 'design' in the title
- the signing off process included as part of precept 6
- the emphasis on the institution's own analysis of risk and
- the revised structure of the document which places more emphasis on a coherent and continuous process.
Comments were also received in respect of:
- the clarity of precept 3 and the use of external participation in programme approval and review
- the tone and language used in the document
- how QAA will ensure that auditors will use the document in an appropriate manner and
- a perceived lack of emphasis on enhancement.
QAA and the advisory group are very grateful to all those who responded to the consultation. All comments were carefully considered by the group as it produced its final draft of the document.
The revised section 7 of the Code of practice will be published in July 2006.
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