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Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
National Reforms in Higher Education

United Kingdom - Northern Ireland

Last update: 31 March 2021
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2021

Additional funding to support university students impacted by Covid-19

The Department for the Economy announced on 2 February 2021 that an additional £10.4million (€12.2 million*) would be available to support higher education students facing hardship and other issues caused by Covid-19. On 4 February 2021 the Department further announced that almost 40,000 students studying in Northern Ireland would receive a £500 (€586*) Covid Disruption Payment, in recognition of the disruption they have suffered as a result of the pandemic.

*Exchange rate used: €1 = £0.85, ECB, 30 March 2021.

2020 

There have been no reforms to date in this area.

2019 

There were no reforms in this area.

2018 

See the item on ‘Implementation of TEF' in ‘National Reforms in Higher Education’ (England)

UK Quality Code for Higher Education revised 

In November 2018, the revision of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education was finalised. This followed a consultation which ran between October and December 2017, coordinated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) on behalf of the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment (UKSCQA).

The UK Quality Code for Higher Education is the definitive reference point for all UK higher education providers, though use of the Quality Code documentation itself is voluntary. The Code, which is produced and maintained by the QAA, makes clear what higher education providers are required to do, what they can expect of each other, and what students and the general public can expect of them. It covers all four parts of the UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales).

The redevelopment was intended to:

  • allow the Code to be agile and responsive
  • respond to regulatory change and the diversifying UK higher education landscape
  • place students at the heart of the Code
  • reflect sector views on how the Code can best serve a changing sector.

The revised Code is based on three elements.

  • Expectations, which express the outcomes providers should achieve in setting and maintaining the standards of their awards, and for managing the quality of their provision.
  • Practices, representing effective ways of working that underpin the delivery of the expectations. These include:
    • core practices that must be demonstrated by all UK higher education providers as part of assuring their standards and quality
    • common practices that will be applied by providers in line with their missions, their regulatory context and the needs of their students.
  • Advice and guidance to help established and new providers alike to develop and maintain effective quality assurance practices.

Article last reviewed March 2021.