Responding to reports published by the Quality Assuarance Agency, Diana Warwick, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: “The quality of UK honours degrees is the envy of the world. QAA’s own audit is the way we assure ourselves of that. These regular reports from the QAA are a useful tool, and enable the sector to reflect on good practice and consider their own systems. This regular feedback is one of the strengths of the UK quality assurance system.

“We note in particular comments about the current degree classification system. The sector is already debating the way we classify these degrees.

“The QAA recognises that the support institutions give their international students is a strength.  Institutions are well aware of the issue of the sustainability of international student numbers, particularly in an increasingly competitive environment. As the report notes, they keep support services under review to enhance the experience of international students. 

“Universities are aware some international students may have specific needs in terms of language and understanding different styles of learning. Much is already being done to support them and ensure they succeed in their studies to the standard expected.

“Overall, the reports identify a wealth of good practice and that institutions’ external examining arrangements were working satisfactorily. The robust quality assurance system we have in place will ensure that this continues to be the case.

ENDS

Notes

1. The Burgess report published last year recommended piloting a single document - the ‘Higher Education Achievement Report’ (HEAR) - based on the current academic transcript and incorporating the European Diploma Supplement. This would be the key vehicle for measuring and recording student achievement. The report recommended its introduction by academic year 2010/11, to run alongside the existing degree classification system.
2. Many universities run their own pre-sessional programmes which aim to ensure that international students without English as their first language have a sufficient grasp of the English language to succeed on their course. Students in some cases are required to pass these programmes before they are allowed to proceed onto the academic course.
3. They're also using more sophisticated IT techniques to assess English language competence.