QAA publishes latest Quality Compass on educational gain ​

The progress that students make in their knowledge, skills and experience throughout their academic journey is a measurement of success of which institutions are becoming increasingly aware. This metric, referred to as ‘educational gain’, has prompted reflections on the ‘value’ providers offer and recognition of the transformative power of higher education.

The latest publication in our Quality Compass series explores six lessons derived from a seminal investigation into educational gain and offers the perspectives of different sector stakeholders on their application.

In its conclusion, it emphasises the diversity within UK higher education, noting it as a strength that equips the sector to meet the needs of learners whose ambitions, circumstances and priorities are also enormously varied. 

The publication also stresses that there may never be a ‘magic formula’ for the measurement of educational gain, which is something that should reassure providers and encourage them to be confident in articulating what this means for them. One of the difficulties with measurement is that students are individuals, each with their own ambitions and aims, as well as coming from different starting points.

This edition of the Quality Compass features contributions from Professor Christina Hughes, women I space; Jack Medlin, Keele University Students’ Union; Dr Kyle Erickson and Professor Mirjam Plantinga, University of Wales Trinity Saint David; Professor Fabio Aricò, University of East Anglia; Brian Green, Louise Lowe and Louise Logan, University of Strathclyde; Professor Gwen van der Velden, University of Warwick; and Dr Camille Kandiko Howson, Imperial College London.

The publication can be found on QAA’s website. The webpage also contains links to our previous Quality Compass publications on academic integrity, assessment in a digital environment, micro-credentials and hybrid teaching and learning.

Related resources

QAA Members have access to further materials via our Membership Resources site including:

• A summary and case study style presentations from a recent educational gain event which featured contributions from the University of Strathclyde, Imperial College London and Independent Consultant Professor Christina Hughes.
• Evidencing Value: Beyond the Metrics - a three-step approach that will enable you to identify, understand and evidence the value of the assets in higher education that you value most but for which there may be no ready metrics; these are sometimes known as ‘intangible assets’.
• Supporting Successful Student Transitions - a collection of toolkits, short papers and case studies offering positive approaches and practical solutions to help support a range of transition points. These can be helpful in making explicit and supporting the student journey including reflecting on the gains offered to students at each stage.

We also have an upcoming Collaborative Enhancement Project - ‘Accounting for Student Success: Measuring Educational Gain’ - which is running throughout 2023 and completing in the summer of 2024. The project is led by Imperial College and features the work of 12 other partners.

We are keen to engage with you and provide the opportunity to share your thoughts and practices. If you would like to contribute to future editions or respond to anything we have covered in this issue, please get in touch at membership@qaa.ac.uk