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Press release

QAA responds to Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills (IUSS) Select Committee’s report

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) today responded to the House of Commons Select Committee's report, describing it as an important and thought-provoking contribution to the debate on the future of higher education in England.

Anthony McClaran, QAA Chief Executive, said, ‘There are some things in the report that deserve support. We are pleased both by the Committee's recognition of the need for a strong, independent external body to review higher education and by its clear recommendation that QAA is the right organisation to continue and enhance this work.

‘However, the report lays out a vision for a very different higher education system from that which is currently in place.  The Select Committee is, in effect, recommending a centralised system of higher education, governed by a set of uniform national standards. We are not persuaded that a sufficient case has been made to justify such a profound change in the way higher education in England is organised.’

In its response QAA says that it believes that the autonomy of higher education institutions, as it currently exists, provides overwhelmingly positive and fundamental social and educational benefits for society. It warns that these benefits could easily be lost should some of the Committee's ideas, on, for example, a more standardised approach to teaching, the assessment of students and the award of degrees, be adopted.

The Committee also made a number of suggestions about QAA’s future role. QAA sees some as having merit, building on its existing work, while others would require a distinct change in approach and remit which would need careful consideration.

A copy of the QAA response is available via www.qaa.ac.uk/news/media/IUSSresponse.pdf

Ends

Notes to editors

  1. For further information and interview requests please contact Richard Tibenham, Media Relations Manager, on 01452 557047, r.tibenham@qaa.ac.uk
  2. QAA checks how UK universities maintain their own academic standards and quality. We review and report on how they meet their responsibilities, identify good practice and make recommendation for improvement. We publish guidelines to help UK institutions develop effective systems to ensure students have the best learning experience

 

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