Dear Colleague
I am writing to provide your institution/organisation with an opportunity to comment on a second draft revised version of the subject benchmark statement for architecture that has been prepared by representatives of the subject community. The draft subject benchmark statement is available on the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) website prior to possible modification before final publication. The architecture statement was subject to an initial period of consultation from 26 April - 30 July 2007, after which work continued on its revision. We should be grateful if you would circulate this letter to the heads of relevant academic schools/departments and those responsible for academic standards in your organisation, so that they can respond as appropriate.
This circular letter also announces the publication of a revised subject benchmark statement for agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food and consumer sciences. The final revised subject benchmark statement is available on QAA's website.
Subject benchmark statements provide a means for the UK's academic community to describe the nature of study, and the academic standards expected of graduates, in specific subject areas and in respect of particular qualifications. They provide a picture of what a graduate in a particular discipline might reasonably be expected to know, do and understand at the end of their programme of study.
The original subject benchmark statements, published in 2000 and 2002 respectively,
have been revised in line with a commitment by QAA to review them every five years.
Each subject benchmark statement has been reviewed and revised by a group of subject specialists drawn from, and acting on behalf of, the relevant academic subject community,
in consultation with a wider group representing the subject's broader interests. Revisions have tended to reflect current developments, including relevant industry changes and the existence of occupational standards; changes to, or the introduction of, PSRB requirements; changes to subject curricula, including contemporary issues such as sustainability and ethics; and European perspectives on standards.
Subject benchmark statements are intended to act as reference points for those involved in the design, delivery and review of academic programmes. They are not intended to represent a national curriculum in a subject or to prescribe set approaches to teaching, learning or assessment. Instead, they allow for both flexibility and innovation in programme design within a conceptual framework agreed by the subject community itself. For some disciplines, there may be additional reference points that institutions may need to consider, such as the requirements set out by PSRBs.
In accordance with QAA's usual practice, we wish to ensure that all HE providers and other relevant organisations have an opportunity to view and, if they wish, comment on the draft revised subject benchmark statement. Any feedback received will be forwarded to the working party responsible for revising the statement, for them to consider. The final subject benchmark statement, once agreed, will be published on QAA's website.
We should be grateful if responses could be with QAA no later than Friday 29 January 2010. A pro forma for use when commenting on the draft revised subject benchmark statement can be found on the website.
Please send your responses to the Benchmarking Administrator via email at benchmarking@qaa.ac.uk or via post to the Benchmarking Administrator, QAA, Southgate House, Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1UB. In the case of a more detailed enquiry relating to any of the subject benchmark statements, or the process followed in their development or review, please contact Dr Laura Bellingham on 01452 557015.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to comment on the revised subject
benchmark statement.
Yours sincerely
Anthony McClaran
Chief Executive
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