Quality Assurance

Swansea University’s balanced, proportionate and risk-based approach to quality assurance and enhancement is based upon the QAA’s UK Quality Code for Higher Education, and is fully aligned to the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, and Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales.

In June 2022, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education published a Case Study: Programme and Portfolio Management at Swansea University, as an example of a successful, data informed and responsive approach to its academic portfolio management. The University also received five commendations from the Quality Enhancement Review process in November 2020 (full report and action plan: Outcome Report, December 2020, Action Plan QAA QER Report 2020), which was welcome in validating the approach Swansea University has taken to managing quality and standards particularly throughout the pandemic.

Swansea University’s regulations, quality and standards Governance Structure is managed through the University Education Committee and its associated sub-Committees and Boards. Those include Regulations, Quality and Standards Committee, Progression and Awards Board, Collaborative Partnerships Board and Programme Approval Committee.

Quality Review Process

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Academic Quality Services also develop and manage a range of guides and resources for staff and students:

Codes of Practice

Academic Regulations

Policies

University Handbooks

Measuring Quality: Making best use of data

Whilst it is essential not to lose sight of the inherent value in qualitative data, conversations and direct engagement, we have rebuilt our quality processes to be data informed, and aligned to both the University’s strategy and business planning process, in the belief that quality assurance must be integral to the University’s success as a business. As Universities are now measured and ranked in the public sphere, this is where we take a cue for the data sets, to ensure programmes and subject areas are benchmarked against national competitor groups. As a result, our Quality Review process in particular makes full use of key data sets, primarily aligned to the League Table data. This approach enables us to make data-informed and risk-based decisions on where to target support and enhancement most effectively, to best deliver the best possible student experience, whilst ensuring we can deliver the most efficient and highest impact process possible.