What is the Education Quality Framework?

The Framework brings together, organises and re-expresses The University of Warwick’s existing quality assurance mechanisms into one place. It acts as a formal framework setting out how we assess compliance with internal and external quality standards, primarily the Office for Students' (OfS) ongoing conditions of registrationLink opens in a new window. Quality assurance and enhancement activity is carried out through a number of processes which have traditionally operated independently of each other. The initial establishment of an education quality framework does not supersede existing arrangements, rather it makes those processes visible in one place so that their outcomes can be more easily tracked. In time, we expect to take learning from the Framework on the gaps, duplication and opportunities for improvement in the design of specific processes and activities.

The Framework flows from a set of general principles and outlines 4 ‘lines of quality assurance’. The table provided outlines Warwick’s expectations for good quality provision, split into themes, and sets out the relevant mechanisms for achieving and assuring those expectations.

The Framework also provides a basis for staff at Warwick to find guidance related to any aspect of education quality they need, for example, by providing guidance and resources for staff setting up new high-quality courses or adapting existing courses.

General Principles

The Framework is underpinned by the following general principles:

a. continuous improvement of the student experience is at the core of all quality assurance and enhancement activities;

b. all members of staff take responsibility for the quality of their contribution to the student experience;

c. key stakeholders, especially students, are engaged effectively to co-create high quality;

d. the range of actions and processes provide confidence to students that high-quality education is continuously delivered;

e. academic departments, faculties, central professional services and institutional leaders all share joint responsibility for the quality of education and the student experience;

f. a complementary range of robust and proportionate quality assurance activities enable assurance that the OfS Conditions of Registration on Quality and Standards (‘the B Conditions’) and external obligations have been and continue to be met.

Context

Higher education providers in the UK do not always have centralised expressions of what ‘excellent’ provision typically looks like, nor lists of the processes used to satisfy themselves that the standard is being met. They instead typically rely on a range of decentralised activities, policies and processes to assure quality and drive enhancement. At The University of Warwick, we have decided to coalesce these measures into one place, in order to act as a reference point for staff seeking to approve new or review existing educational provision. It will also provide a basis for annual assurance audits of our compliance with relevant regulatory obligations.

The national context in English higher education features a number of external standards we need, or may choose, to comply with. The OfS Conditions of Registration must be complied with, and the mapping exercise accompanying the Education Quality Framework shows which of our processes help us meet which condition.

The UK Quality Code represents a shared understanding of quality practice across the UK higher education sector. This is currently under review by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). In England, the Quality Code is not regulatory, however providers are able to use this to inform their approach to quality assurance. To further support this in September 2023, the QAA published its definition of quality, which states that quality “refers to how well providers support students to consistently achieve positive outcomes in learning, personal development and career advancement, while meeting the reasonable expectations of those students, employers, government and society in general.” The University of Warwick adopts the position that we should continue to meet the expectations of the UK Quality Code.

The QAA Subject Benchmark Statements provide a subject-level tool that describe the nature of study and the academic standards expected of graduates in specific subject areas. They are also voluntary, rather than mandatory. The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) operates in an area between these levels: the core document is not mandatory, but elements of the FHEQ have been adopted by the OfS into their Sector Recognised Standards, which providers in England are expected to adhere to.

Governance Structures and Quality

The Education Quality Framework should be considered alongside the University’s governance structures, which play a key role in assuring quality. The University’s Council is ultimately responsible for educational quality but delegates responsibility for oversight of this and the University’s academic affairs more broadly to the Senate.

Education and Quality Framework

The Education Quality Framework has 4 ‘lines of quality assurance’, as outlined below, that provide an overview of relevant policy and quality expectations, the day-to-day operational quality assurance activities, and the quality monitoring, review and evaluation processes that ensure we are providing a high-quality experience for our students.

Education Quality Framework

The Framework brings together, organises and re-expresses The University of Warwick’s (“Warwick” hereafter) existing quality assurance mechanisms into one place. It acts as a formal framework setting out how we assess compliance with internal and external quality standards, primarily the Office for Student’s (OfS) ongoing conditions of registration.

Themes

The framework is arranged thematically, with the quality activities leading to assurance of standards arranged against each theme in three of the four ‘lines’. Linking the themes with the lines are brief expressions of our minimum expectations, informed by QAA’s indicators of quality (PDF) – each individual activity will also have its own aims and expectations expressed in the relevant guidance and process information.

Compliance with OfS B Conditions

This is an at-a-glance chart showing where our activities facilitate compliance with the B conditions. A more comprehensive mapping exercise is in development.

Warwick's Quality Processes, Policies and Advice

Over time Warwick has developed a range of processes, policies, advice and guidance that is used centrally and by departments to assure quality. The Framework uses these existing quality processes and policies as its component parts. Some external reference materials that help build quality HE provision are included here as well.

Education Quality Framework Download

Take a look at the Education Quality Framework document here.

Education Policy and Quality

What is the Education Quality Framework?