Quality Assurance Agency for higher education

1. Quality Assurance Agency for higher education The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales number 3344784. Registered office Southgate House, Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1UB Registered charity numbers 1062746 and SC037786

2. Welcome and introductions Carolyn Campbell Head of Networks and Partnerships Research, Development and Partnerships Group Jane Holt Assistant Director, Reviews Group

3. QAA’s TNE strategy The aim of the TNE strategy is to support and develop the quality, and secure and maintain the academic standards of the UK’s TNE provision.

4. TNE strategy: the why Intended outcomes in relation to UK TNE • Standards and quality are comparable with equivalent UK-based education • UK HE institutions are recognised as reliable and trustworthy providers • QAA is a recognised authority on quality assurance • Reliable information about standards and quality is easily available

5. TNE strategy: the how Objectives for QAA in relation to quality assurance of TNE • to be a locus for consultation with all relevant UK bodies • to have an input to relevant government MoUs • to enter into MoUs with relevant overseas agencies • to become a repository of good practice • to gather intelligence on relevant regulations • to develop appropriate quality assurance processes

6. TNE review, China QAA is embarking on a review of higher education in mainland China where the awarding body is a UK HE institution; this is also known as transnational education, or TNE.

7. China 2006 • 10 UK universities • 3 audit teams • 3 China auditors • 2 UK auditors • 1 audit secretary • 1 QAA officer • UK visit + China visit • First overview report

8. Evolution Evolution of TNE • UK TNE has expanded worldwide • Overseas governments • take a greater interest • seek cooperation Evolution of QAA approach • Overview report has developed further • Introduction of case studies (India 2009)

9. Current approach Needs • Broad coverage • Higher profile in overseas country • Cost-effectiveness Solutions • Survey + desk-based study • Overseas visit • Limited UK visits + smaller teams

10. Survey Scope • All institutions surveyed in May 2011 (168 in total) • Response rate 98% • 66 institutions currently active in China • 4 institutions being chased up TNE categories • A Branch campus • B Partnership • C Distance learning (FDL)

11. TNE categories in full A Branch campus B Partnership C FDL B1 students on UK award from start B2 students articulate to UK award C1 students study on their own C2 students study with support centre

12. Desk-based study Target Basis Process When All HE institutions with significant TNE in China Standard information set (extant) Overview on activity from institution UK-based No visit to institution unless issues emerge Request for information set summer 2011 Institutions prepare information autumn 2011 QAA analyses information spring 2012

13. China visits Preliminary visit July 2011 • Discussions with Chinese government authorities Main visit November 2012 • Visits by QAA team to 20 links (approx) • Links to be selected based on survey results • Long list to be announced autumn 2011

14. Output Overview report • based on survey • desk-based studies • China visit Review reports • selected links Case studies • selected links

15. Quality Assurance Agency for higher education c.campbell@qaa.ac.uk j.holt@qaa.ac.uk

16. Jane’s Crib TNE review, China In relation to TNE strategy In relation to IRENI and cp variant