QAA to give evidence to Lords Office for Students inquiry
Monday 24 April
The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee will hear from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and GuildHE, the representative body for smaller and specialist higher education institutions, as it continues its inquiry into the Office for Students (OfS), the regulator of the higher education sector in England.
The session will run from 10.30am until 12.30pm on Tuesday 25 April and can be followed live on Parliament TV or in person in Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster.
Giving evidence from 10:30 to 11.30 will be:
- Anthony McClaran, Chair, GuildHE
Possible questions include:
- How has the operation of the regulatory framework changed over time?
- What financial risks does the higher education sector face?
- To what extent is the OfS’ work determined by the Government?
Giving evidence from 11:30 to 12.30 will be:
- Vicki Stott, Chief Executive, Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
- Professor Simon Gaskell, Chair, Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
Possible questions include:
- Could you explain how the QAA came to its decision to demit its status as the Office for Students’ Designated Quality Body (DQB)?
- What potential consequences are there from the higher education sector in England not being aligned with international norms in relation to quality and standards?
- Do you believe that the OfS has the capability to take on the DQB role, either on an interim or permanent basis?
- Why is it important to have a quality and standards body that is independent of the sector’s regulator?
