Dear Colleague
This consultation relates to Access to HE courses which are recognised through the QAA Recognition Scheme for Access to HE. The Recognition Scheme provides the framework for the approval of the vast majority of access courses. QAA-recognised courses can be identified by their use of the trademarked Access to HE logo (below). A version of this logo (with the additional use of the words ‘recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education’) is used on all certificates awarded to students who successfully complete approved courses.
We have now completed the latest stage in our work to bring greater consistency to the Access to HE qualification, and I am pleased to inform you that proposals for a common system of grading for the QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma are now available on the QAA website. The proposals, which put forward two alternative approaches to grading the Diploma, identify ways in which differentiation in Access to HE students’ achievement can be described in a common, reliable and transparent manner. This development will support receiving institutions’ fair admissions policies and procedures, and will make an important contribution to increasing progression opportunities for Access to HE students.
The proposals are the outcome of development work we have undertaken through various means and with a range of stakeholders in further and higher education, over the last two years. The work was initiated at the request of the Department for Education and Skills, in order to take forward recommendations made in the Access to Higher Education Development Project Report (May 2004), which identified a strong call for greater consistency in the description of Access to HE students’ achievement. These proposals for grading build on the Access to HE Qualification and Credit Specifications, published last year.
We are keen to receive responses from all groups who may be affected by the outcome of these developments, and I should be grateful if you could draw this consultation to the attention of your colleagues. There are implications for both those who provide Access to HE programmes and those involved in the recruitment and selection of students to HE, as well as for the students themselves. The proposals are likely to be of particular interest to:
- admissions staff and managers in HE and FE institutions
- Access to HE practitioners and managers
- those involved in access and widening participation policy and initiatives
- authorised validating agencies
- Access to HE students.
The consultation document and response form can be found at www.qaa.ac.uk/news/consultation, together with links to other information about the Access to HE Diploma and QAA Recognition Scheme for Access to HE. Details about how to respond are contained within the consultation document itself. Please make your response by Monday 2 July 2007.
We look forward to receiving your comments.
Yours sincerely
Peter Williams
Chief Executive
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