Review team expresses confidence in Glasgow Caledonian University quality arrangements

A review by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has expressed confidence in Glasgow Caledonian University’s progress in continuing to monitor, review and enhance its higher education provision to enable effective arrangements to be in place for managing academic standards and the quality of the student experience.

The review was carried out by a team of three independent reviewers who were appointed by QAA. The review visit took place on 6 December 2023.

The team identified the following areas of good practice:

• The University’s proactive response to the challenge presented by generative artificial intelligence (AI), including close engagement and partnership-working with both students and staff, a positive communications strategy and appropriate development and training provision, as well as the carefully planned ways in which the University’s work around the challenges of generative AI is being moved into the classroom to enhance student understanding and knowledge.
• The University’s strong commitment to student wellbeing, with a number of initiatives developed within a structured Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework, including the implementation of the Mental Health Charter, and partnership working with external organisations and the GCU Students’ Association to improve support for mental health and a more consistent, open and holistic approach to wellbeing.

QAA also made the following recommendation:

• The University should address the support for, and expectations of, postgraduate research students to ensure common levels of provision and consistency of experience within all schools and subjects.

Professor Steve Decent, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian, said: 'It is fantastic that an external peer review from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has, again, led to an expression of confidence in Glasgow Caledonian University. I am delighted that the reviewers recognised our clear and systematic approach to monitoring, reviewing and enhancing our higher education provision.

'We have a strong culture of working in partnership with our students and staff. This is exemplified by our approach to the challenges and opportunities afforded by artificial intelligence, which is commended as good practice in the QAA report. We are also deeply committed to the wellbeing and success of all our students and staff which is demonstrated by the wide range of support, initiatives and resources made available; it is great to see this commended by the reviewers too.'

You can read the full Quality Enhancement and Standards Review report for Glasgow Caledonian University on the QAA website.