HEA Chief Executive comments on The Sunday Times University Guide 2013

Commenting on today’s publication of The Sunday Times University Guide Professor Craig Mahoney, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) said:
“Today’s Sunday Times University Guide joins other guides and tables, all of which can provide future students with independent information about the experience they can expect from different higher education institutions.
“We know that students choose their course, and their university, based on a wide range of factors. Crucially The Sunday Times Guide includes student satisfaction and the quality of teaching as two of its criteria, both of key importance to the HEA. Fees for many students beginning their courses over the next few weeks across the UK have increased, with the most dramatic shift for those in England. But whatever the fees structure, students everywhere are rightly expecting even more from their time in higher education. Excellence in teaching remains of paramount importance and this guide can support our future students as they make decisions about where to study.
“It’s also important that students look to other sources of information to help them make decisions about their future. Today’s Guide shows, for example, that in the north of England students at the University of Huddersfield are most satisfied with the quality of their teaching. Huddersfield has demonstrated huge commitment to the UK Professional Standards Framework, which accredits higher education teachers who have demonstrated clear evidence of the quality of their teaching. This commitment is making a real difference to student’s learning experience.
“The publication of the Key Information Sets (KIS) just a few days ago is also an important step in providing prospective students with clearer, more easily accessible and pertinent information. The National Student Survey (NSS) informs a significant part of the KIS, and this year I’m encouraged to see the improvement in scores for assessment and feedback – particularly the marked increase in the proportion of students reporting that feedback helped clarify their understanding, which can only enhance the student learning experience.
“As a champion for learning and teaching, the HEA is committed to providing an extensive range of support to higher education providers, whether at a discipline, generic or strategic level, to ensure that all students can benefit from a quality learning experience.”
The Higher Education Academy, Innovation Way, York Science Park, Heslington, York, YO10 5BR, United Kingdom
Contact us.