Interested in becoming a student reviewer?
Are you:
- currently a student in Scotland (with the equivalent of at least one year's full-time study), or have you recent experience of being a student (within the last three years)?
- interested in representing students' interests and have some experience of this in your place of study?
- able to assimilate new information and build on existing experience?
If so, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Scotland (QAA Scotland) is recruiting student reviewers and would like to hear from you. Full details on enhancement-led institutional review (ELIR), and an application form, can be found on our website at www.qaa.ac.uk/aboutus/appointments
Becoming a student reviewer means that you are playing an important role in the future enhancement of higher education in Scotland. Your work as a reviewer also provides valuable personal experience, developing skills that will help in both your studies and employment.
These skills include:
- team work
- analytical skills
- making judgements
- interpersonal and communication skills
- time/task management
- report writing.
Enhancement-led institutional review
Enhancement-led institutional review (ELIR) is the method of review of higher education institutions in Scotland. ELIR examines an institution's ability to manage the standards of its academic awards and the quality of the learning opportunities it provides to students. The main focus of ELIR is an institution's strategy for continually improving the student learning experience.
A team of five will carry out the review, which is based on a self-evaluation document (Reflective Analysis) submitted by the institution, and a two-part visit to the institution to talk to staff and students and examine documentation. At the end of the review, the team writes a report of its findings, which is published on QAA's website.
The review team consists of three reviewers and one review secretary, all of whom are staff from higher education institutions, and one student reviewer. None of the team members can have a current link with the institution being reviewed.
All Scottish higher education institutions are being reviewed over a four-year period between January 2004 and August 2007. To find out when your institution will be reviewed, contact your Students' Union or Students' Representative Council.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I be interested in this new approach to quality assurance in higher education?
ELIR is giving you a chance to get even more involved in the future of higher education in Scotland. ELIR encourages higher education institutions to continually improve the student learning experience and to increase student involvement in the institutions' quality enhancement processes.
What does a student reviewer do?
The student reviewer is an equal member of the review team and takes part in all aspects of review. For more details on what a review entails see the Handbook for enhancement-led institutional review: Scotland on QAA's website at www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/ELIR
The student reviewer will have a particular focus on the student learning experience and student involvement in institutional processes.
What do you mean by the 'student learning experience'?
The student learning experience is shaped by a broad variety of factors. Academic matters such as the curriculum, assessment and teaching delivery, all have an obvious effect on student learning, but equally important are the support services, such as library and information services, welfare and careers services.
Will I receive any training or payment?
Student reviewers will undergo a three-day training programme to prepare for ELIR. They will also be invited to participate in annual ELIR events, likely to amount to one day each year in addition to initial training. Student reviewers will receive the standard payment for undertaking institutional review, currently £2,420.
If I become a student reviewer, how much of my time and commitment will this involve?
Review team members will initially be appointed for two years and you are likely to undertake one review over that period. Each review will involve a two-part visit of between five to seven days to the institution, plus significant preparation time before the visit and time after the visit to help draft the review report. There is also the commitment of the initial training and an annual ELIR event.
For more information contact:
Ailsa Crum or Janice Ross
QAA Scotland
183 Vincent Street
Glasgow
G2 5QD
Tel 0141 572 3420
Fax 0141 572 3421
Email a.crum@qaa.ac.uk or j.ross@qaa.ac.uk
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