In this section you can find information and resources relating to the shift to online learning and transnational education delivery. Information is collected from the UUKi team and our partners Jisc and QAA.
The sector has had to rapidly transition to online learning in a matter of weeks. Many international students have returned home, new international students may not be able to travel to the UK in September, and TNE students will also be at home, no longer learning in their UK partner’s institution in country. This sudden shift has led to a number of challenges and concerns, ranging from concerns around accessing the right hardware and software, connectivity issues, subject matter challenges, ensuring a fair and transparent exams and assessment process, ensuring online learning is recognised as a valid form of high-quality study around the world, and ensuring best practice for both students and staff.
This section provides links to guidance and support from the range of organisations working in this field, and additionally identifies country support guidance and advice where known. Where questions remain, UUKi are working with the government and our partners to establish clarity and certainty.
UK NARIC
Recognition of online learning
UK Naric published
guidance on recognition issues in international distance learning.
Jisc
Connectivity and access to content
Jisc have produced guidance for UK education providers in delivering remote access to Jisc-licensed products to students outside the UK.
Jisc alongside Universities UK, Association of Colleges and ucisa
called on the government to make all education websites free for UK students.
Jisc has created a Microsoft Teams
planning for coronavirus community. This team is for Jisc members responsible for ensuring organisational continuity during the transition to online delivery, including a channel on international education.
Jisc have published
guidance on delivering remote access to Jisc licensed content to students outside of the UK.
QAA
Standards, exams and assessment
QAA published
initial advice for providers on mitigating the immediate disruption of studies to TNE students caused by COVID-19. This advice looks at the balance between the need to maintain academic standards and the safety and wellbeing of staff and students affected by the COVID-19 outbreak
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/news-events/support-and-guidance-covid-19/tne-international-policy-practice
QAA guidance can be found here.
This includes:
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Advice to degree-awarding bodies on mitigating the disruption of studies to students caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Guidance for providers on mitigating disruption for TNE students due to COVID-19
QAA have created a Quality Discussion Forum to facilitate discussion and create supportive communities of practitioners in the areas of: assessment and feedback; admissions; credit, progressing and graduation; and learning and teaching.
QAA have compiled examples of practice and approaches to learning and teaching, assessment and feedback, and student support in view of the pandemic from institutions in different countries.
Professional recognition
QAA and UUK meet regularly with DfE and equivalents in the devolved administrations to tackle issues related to Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs). The group has prioritised those PSRBs that (a) affect key workers, mainly healthcare related and (b) have a high volume of students (e.g. teaching). UUKi are making sure the international perspective is heard, including the impact on transnational education.
OfS
Regulation of transnational education for English universities
The Office for Students (OfS) have published
guidance on their regulatory approach in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. Universities and colleges in England are expected to report on significant changes to the delivery of higher education, including on any relevant matters relating to transnational educational activities.
OfS expects providers to apply its guidance about quality and standards during coronavirus (COVID-19) to their transnational educational activities, although they recognise that the specific actions taken by an awarding body to maintain quality and secure standards may need to vary for different delivery locations. In particular, when universities decide that it is not possible to continue delivery, including for transnational students, they should refer to the OfS's updated guidance on reporting requirements.
OfS has produced a
briefing note on the steps universities and colleges are taking to support international students during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The note does not represent regulatory advice or guidance. Although primarily directed to international students in the UK, some information applies to students temporarily studying transnationally through online learning.
OIA
Student complaint handling for English and Welsh universities
Students studying overseas or via online learning for degrees awarded by UK providers must have access to complaints mechanisms under the same term as UK-based students. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for England and Wales (OIA) has published a
briefing note on possible complaints arising from Covid-19, including accommodation, teaching, assessments, study abroad, student welfare and internal processes.
