Press Release: QAA a wake-up call for universities
Commenting on the Quality Assurance Agency’s report today criticising universities’ degree classifications, Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, David Willetts said:
“Our universities are, in many respects, world class. But there are genuine, and growing, concerns about grade inflation.
“We need to know more about whether the traditional grading system still fits the students, whether or not there has been unacceptable grade inflation and whether the external marking system works properly. Ministers should consider these issues urgently.
“Our universities have a strong record in attracting international students. This must continue, but we do no one any favours if we water down what is on offer simply to attract people from abroad.”
Notes to Editors
1. The Quality and Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has released three audit reports on
• Arrangements for international students
• External examiners and their reports and
• Assessment of students
The reports conclude:
‘some international students considered that there was a “distinct lack of information to prepare them for the cultural differences they were likely to experience”.’ (Arrangements for international students, p.7)
‘the use of “tick boxes”, while securing that many questions were answered, were not encouraging external examiners to provide reflective evaluative perspectives on the characteristics of students’ work and the effectiveness of institutions’ assessment arrangements.’ (External examiners and their reports, p.1)
‘Several audit reports make reference, however, to respects in which academic standards might be placed at risk as a consequence of weaknesses in the practices of assessment boards.’ (Assessment of students, p.1)