Consultation on revised review method for alternative providers
| Date: | March 27 - 2024 |
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QAA has published details of a process of consultation on the implementation of its proposed new Educational Oversight Review method. This is intended to replace the current set of four separate methods for the review and monitoring of 'alternative providers' - private providers of higher education courses in the UK that do not receive direct annual public funding from any UK higher education funding or regulatory body.
We are seeking the input of higher and further education providers, their representative bodies, sector bodies, government departments and students into this consultation process.
The proposed method is designed to unify divergent historical practices and to update language and processes in order to better reflect the contemporary realities of higher education provision in the UK.
The consultation highlights 10 proposals relating to the new review method. These include:
- the categorisation of providers
- the components of review
- a single method of financial sustainability, management and governance check
- indicative timelines for review
- simplified application arrangements
- a standard approach to reviews and analysis
- review judgements and resultant actions
- monitoring arrangements
- the fee schedule
- transitional arrangements.
‘This is an important opportunity for stakeholders to take part in what we hope will represent a significant upgrade to our processes in this area,’ says Adam Surtees, Assessment Services Manager at QAA. ‘We very much hope that a broad section of the sector will participate.’
The consultation is open for six weeks from today. You can read the proposals on our consultation web page and respond by completing the online survey.
We will be holding a webinar to answer queries in relation to this consultation on Wednesday 10 April. To register, please visit the event booking site.
We also welcome queries on the consultation and the proposed method. Please feel free to contact us at AssessmentServices@qaa.ac.uk.