Does every institution have mid-cycle follow up?
Yes, mid-cycle follow up is an integral part of the overall Institutional audit process
and applies to all institutions that have an Institutional audit.
If an institution is going through scrutiny for degree awarding powers or university title, is it exempt from mid-cycle follow up?
No, degree awarding powers and university title are different processes, with different purposes from the mid-cycle follow up. Mid-cycle follow up serves as a short health check on the institution’s continuing management of academic standards and quality of provision, and provides an opportunity for QAA to note matters that have the potential to be of interest to the next audit.
If an institution has had a separate Collaborative provision audit, does it also have a separate mid-cycle follow up relating to collaborative provision?
No, the continuing management of the academic standards and quality of collaborative provision is included in the health check provided by the mid-cycle follow up.
If an institution is going through other QAA review processes, doesn’t the mid-cycle follow up add unduly to workload?
Mid-cycle follow up makes as little demand as possible on institutions; it uses existing documentation to support a short Briefing Paper.
Why are some institutions having mid-cycle follow up before having an Institutional audit under the revised method?
It was agreed in the operational description for audit, that when the revised method of audit starts all institutions will have a mid cycle follow up (MCFU) instead of the previous 'one year after' follow up. However, mid cycle follow up does not happen until three years after the institutional audit, therefore, for the first three years of the revised audit cycle, an institution's MCFU will have to be based on its audit under the previous method. But any institution with a MCFU due in 2010-11 onwards will have had an audit under the revised method, so their MCFU will be based on that audit.
In what format would QAA like to receive the Briefing Paper?
One printed copy plus an electronic copy, if available.
Who selects the sample of internal review reports to be provided with the institution’s briefing paper, the institution or QAA?
There has been a change of policy. Originally it was to have been QAA, based on the summaries published on the Unistats website. However, as these are no longer a requirement, the institution now selects a representative sample, normally comprising five reports on internal reviews completed since the last Institutional audit.
If there have not been sufficient internal (periodic) reviews since the last Institutional audit, should other reports be substituted?
Yes, some institutions in this position have offered to provide annual monitoring reports instead.
What use will QAA make of internal review reports, given that there are no longer summaries on the Unistats website to be checked for accuracy and completeness?
QAA will use internal review reports to look at aspects of the process, for example, the degree of externality it contains and how management information is used to guide enhancement. QAA will also identify any emerging themes or issues of potential interest for the next Institutional audit.
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