Posted: 04/09/15
UK quality mark for college's higher education provision
University-level teaching and learning at West Nottinghamshire College has been given the seal of approval by a national Higher Education body.
University level teaching and learning at the college has been given the seal of approval
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has confirmed the quality and standards of provision at West Nottinghamshire College following its review in June 2015.
A team of QAA reviewers visited the college and judged that its academic standards, the quality and enhancement of its student learning opportunities, and the quality of information about its learning opportunities all meet UK expectations.
The review identifies a number of examples of good practice. These include:
- the extensive range of support services for Higher Education students, enabling students to develop personal, academic and professional potential
- the dedicated resources to support a distinctive Higher Education learning environment.
- the range of ways in which students and staff engage to enhance the educational experience.
The panel made some recommendations for improvements, for example:
- fully-involve employers in the annual review of foundation degree programmes
- articulate and fully-implement the college's strategic approach to enhancement of Higher Education provision
- establish policy and implement procedures to secure effective management and oversight of the quality of learning opportunities in the workplace.
Dame Asha Khemka, principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College, said: “I am delighted that QAA has confirmed the overall quality of our higher education provision following its successful review. This positive news coincides with our ambitious plans to open a new £6.5 million state-of-the-art university centre at our main campus in September 2016.
“Retaining QAA’s quality mark means students can be confident that studying a university-level course at the college will provide them with a fantastic educational experience and a valuable qualification to enhance their futures.
“Above all, I am really proud that the college’s commitment to supporting and working with students has been recognised by reviewers, as this is such a distinctive part of what we offer.”
QAA's Higher Education Reviews are carried out by experts from other universities and colleges. Every review team includes a student reviewer, because QAA believes that students should be partners in the quality assurance of their education.
The team that reviewed West Nottinghamshire College included Catherine Hill, (Blackpool and The Fylde College), Professor Alan Howard, (University of Reading) and Caitlin Oliver, (student reviewer from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne).
A successful review means that the college can display the QAA Quality Mark, indicating to UK and international students that the college meets national requirements for standards and quality.
