Review team expresses confidence in the University of West of Scotland’s quality arrangements

A review by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has expressed confidence in the University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) 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. It took place in March 2023.

The team identified the following good practice for UWS: 

• A strategic approach and ongoing commitment to widening participation is fully embedded across the University at all stages of the learner journey.
• Students are at the centre of University decision-making and stimulate institutional thinking and planning at all levels. The approach to partnership is particularly positive supporting the student experience across academic and professional services.
• The University’s new one-stop-shop approach by the Student Success Hub not only responds to student enquiries but also uses an appointment referral system for students requiring specialist support and targeted intervention to prevent long-term disengagement.

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: ‘I am delighted reviewers recognise the fantastic work underway across our University. It is particularly pleasing to have been commended for our ongoing commitment to our students in a range of important areas, such as our pioneering approach to widening access and our fantastic Student Success Hub model.

‘Our wonderful student-centred culture has been evidenced, validated and once again rated at the highest level of confidence by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.’

QAA also made the following recommendations: 

• The University should work with its Student Union to make certain that all student representatives complete training, reflecting on the barriers of current arrangements.
• By the end of the 2023-24 academic session, the University should introduce a clear institution-wide policy that ensures that all staff and students must complete appropriate training before undertaking teaching and/or assessment responsibilities.
• In developing and implementing strategic enhancement initiatives, the University should develop an effective approach to the strategic management of change.
• In continuing to embed and strengthen the use of data in quality processes, the University should ensure that all staff contributing to enhancement and annual monitoring activities have been trained.

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