The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has published its 'Evaluation of International Pathway Programmes', an independent review which was commissioned by Universities UK in February.
The rapid review, which was also part funded by partners at the Russell Group and GuildHE, was commissioned in recognition of a significant focus on recruitment and admissions which was causing concern for students, their parents and the public.
Responding to the report’s findings today, Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said:
We welcome this comprehensive review from the QAA and its recommendations.
“The sector commissioned this work as we want students, their families, and the wider public to have confidence that university admissions processes are fair for domestic and international students. Although the number of students entering undergraduate study via an international pathway programme represents a small proportion of the two million undergraduates studying in our universities, it was important to examine questions around these pathways.
“The review found that providers are following their published entry requirements and that entry requirements are broadly equivalent. It also confirms academic standards on international pathway courses are of an expected standard in the vast majority of cases.
“However, while there are no systemic issues, the review has found some areas where more consistent application of best practice is needed, and this needs swift action. We will be discussing with our members the steps we must take as a sector to further strengthen the robustness and transparency of admissions.
“Universities UK, together with GuildHE, has been updating our joint Fair Admissions Code of Practice and will address relevant issues identified by the QAA as part of this work. We will now prioritise this and publish the updated code shortly.
Vivienne Stern MBE
Chief Executive, Universities UK
Notes
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