The QAA come to town

Previously I have talked about the QAA Institutional Audit that will be taking place at the University of Birmingham. This is a very important process for the university. Institutional Audit and its result will be seen as an endorsement, or not, of the quality of the degrees which students receive.

Just over a week ago the audit team came on a Briefing Visit. They used this opportunity to talk to three sabbatical officers (me, Jen and Hollie) along with five Student Reps about our experience at the University of Birmingham. The auditors had read and questioned us on aspects of the Guild's written submission over the hour and a half. We discussed a range of issues including Enquiry-Based Learning, the my.bham portal and the Student Rep Scheme.

The QAA main audit visit will run from 27th April to the 1st May. The auditors have expressed an interest to talk to more students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, and I have emailed Student Reps asking for people who are available. Of the six meetings which the QAA will conduct two will be with students. The aim for the auditors is to follow up with university staff on what the students say. This highlights the importance which the QAA attach to student involvement in quality assurance and enhancement.