Students are well aware of the effect the Browne report has on them in relation to funding and tuition fees but the recommendations could also have a significant implications for quality both in terms of the actual quality of provision and in the arrangements made by the sector to assure and enhance quality.
If the proposals were adopted fully in England they would have a profound effect on the overall level of public money in Higher Education and therefore the role of Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE) and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Browne proposes merging several agencies including HEFCE and QAA into a single Higher Education Council and indicates that quality might be assured through a system of minimum standards, student charters and student ‘consumer’ type demand. The HE council would be monitoring the effect of competition on the sector and the system would resemble a more privatised model.
Whilst many of these concepts are at odds with the mood and ethos within the Scottish sector, what happens in England will undoubtedly have an influence on what happens here.
It is important for students to think about the aspects of Scottish Quality Enhancement Framework that they value. Do students in your institution have opportunities to discuss these with senior managers? Students will have the opportunity to input into discussions at national level. If your officers are attending national events have they considered their responses to such questions? Have you passed any of your thoughts on these issues on to your national representatives?
A hard hitting presentation delivered by Professor Michael Sterling at the recent G21C symposium will provide an interesting perspective on these developments in England and possible further reaching implications.
