Higher education credit framework for England: guidance on academic credit arrangements in higher education in England
Universities UK, GuildHE and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) have today jointly published a higher education credit framework for England and associated guidance.
Credit has long been used to measure the learning expected of, or achieved by, students on higher education programmes at many universities and colleges in England and other parts of the United Kingdom.
The Measuring and Recording Student Achievement Steering Group, established in 2005, with Professor Bob Burgess, Vice-Chancellor, University of Leicester, as Chair, found, in the course of extensive consultations within and beyond the higher education sector, considerable support for a national credit framework for England.
In its final report, published in 2006, the Burgess Group proposed the development of a broad, overarching framework for England. The Group was clear that it would be for individual higher education institutions to use their discretion in determining how far to engage with a national credit framework. However, it recommended that a credit framework for higher education in England be developed by the start of the academic year 2008/09 so as to enable English higher education institutions that choose to adopt it to have credit-rated their main provision by the start of the academic year 2009/10.
Following endorsement of the Burgess Group recommendations by Universities UK and GuildHE, the Credit Issues Development Group was established to take forward the technical development of the guidelines. Professor Muriel Robinson, Principal of Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln, Vice-Chair of GuildHE and a member of the original Burgess Group, was invited to chair the new group. The report now published represents the outcomes of the group’s work after extensive consultation with the sector and other stakeholders.
The report recognises the importance of having a credit framework in providing greater clarity and consistency in the use of credit across higher education in England and notes the value of credit as a key tool in promoting lifelong learning.
In welcoming the report, Professor Burgess commented: 'It faithfully picks up the proposals originally approved by Universities UK and GuildHE and takes forward the technical requirements.'
Professor Muriel Robinson, Chair of the Credit Issues Development Group said: 'The use of credit in the higher education sector in England is, of course, not new. Many universities and colleges have been credit rating their programmes for years. This guidance is intended to clarify and make explicit existing practice in higher education. In this way, we can foster a common approach and provide a reference point for those wishing to embark on, or build on, the use of credit across the full range of their higher education provision. I hope institutions – and thus ultimately learners – will find it helpful.'
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For further information, please contact Katie Sharrock, Communications, QAA
tel: 01452 557074 email: k.sharrock@qaa.ac.uk
Notes to editors
1 Proposals for national arrangements for the use of academic credit in higher education in England, Final report of the Burgess Group, ISBN 1 84036 135 2, pub. Universities UK, December 2006
2 Higher education credit framework for England: guidance on academic credit arrangements in higher education in England is available at www.qaa.ac.uk/england/credit/creditframework.asp
3 Universities UK is the major representative body and membership organisation for the higher education sector. It represents the UK's universities and some higher education colleges. Its 132 members (www.UniversitiesUK.ac.uk/members/) are the executive heads of these institutions. Universities UK works closely with policy makers and key education stakeholders to advance the interests of universities and to spread good practice throughout the higher education sector. Founded in 1918 and formerly known as the Committee for Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP), Universities UK is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2008.
4 GuildHE is a recognised representative organisation within the higher education sector. It is the key advocate for the importance of institutional diversity within the higher education sector. GuildHE is an inclusive body, with members across universities, university colleges and specialist institutions. The members include many institutions with a specialist mission or subject focus and major providers in art and design, music and the performing arts, agriculture, education and health. For a full list of GuildHE member institutions please see: www.guildhe.ac.uk/en/about_guildHE/about_our_members.cfm
5 QAA safeguards the public interest in sound standards of higher education qualifications, and informs and encourages continuous improvement in the management of the quality of higher education across the UK. For more information visit www.qaa.ac.uk
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