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Institutional audit: England and Northern Ireland

Case studies - producing the student written submission

University of Sheffield

Profile

  • Number of students: 25,000
  • Number of sabbatical officers: 8
  • Campuses: 1
  • Number of people involved in writing the SWS: 2

Background to writing the SWS

Who supported you at the University?

  • Education and Welfare Manager
  • Learning and Teaching Services

What evidence was used to write the SWS?

  • National Student Survey (NSS)
  • Student Satisfaction Survey
  • Student polls
  • Union polls
  • Union link forums
  • Course rep questionnaires
  • Student-Staff Committee minutes

Were there any problems or time restrains that meant the SWS had to be written a certain way?

It coincided with the handover period and was quite intense for a new sabbatical officer coming into the role to write the SWS.

Methodology

When did you find out about the audit?

One month prior to being an officer.

Who was involved in providing evidence?
  • Course reps
  • Union links
  • Student Representation Co-ordinator
  • Education and Welfare Manager
  • Education Officer

How did you explore various themes?

Held focus groups on each particular theme:

  • feedback
  • anonymous marking
  • personal tutors and support
  • assessment

How did you gather students' views?

  • Course reps
  • Union links

How did you structure the document?

Compiled in the form of a report, concentrating on the main areas of the QAA Institutional audit and written from the perspective of the incoming and outgoing education officers.

Who did the actual writing?

The Education Officer.

How did you gain the support and 'sign-off' from fellow students?

N/A

How did you work with the institution?

It was done independently, albeit with advice from the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching.

Positive experiences/outcomes

The SWS in 2003 and 2007 highlighted variances in personal tutor support. As a result, the reaction from the SWS and both audits inspired the Education Officer to launch a campaign on lobbying for change and allowing students to understand what personal tutors are for.

Contact

Rebecca Watson, Education Officer, Sheffield Students’ Union, 2008-2009

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