Go8 Quality Verification System

In the second half of 2011 the Group of Eight (Go8) universities will be piloting a Quality Verification System (QVS). The QVS is a process of external, discipline-led, academic peer review of final year undergraduate student outcomes. The primary focus is to assist Go8 universities in maintaining and improving their academic standards. All Go8 member universities are participating in the pilot which will cover the fields of Education: Physics, History, Psychology, Accounting and Chemistry.

The key features of the Go8 QVS include:

• a focus on assessment in a sample of final year subjects in undergraduate programs;
• benchmarking for comparing grades awarded in similar programs across Go8 universities;
• senior discipline-specific academics will conduct the review and will have an understanding of academic standards in similar universities around the world; and
• flexibility to complement other quality assurance mechanisms within Go8 universities.

The QVS will verify the awarding of grades within Go8 universities and will promote discussion on best practice in teaching and learning across institutions and improve cross institutional understanding. Reviewers can be drawn from other Australian universities (including other Go8 universities) or international visitors from overseas institutions of similar standing.

The QVS will provide public assurance and confidence that learning outcomes in Go8 universities are comparable across grades and in line with world leading universities. More information on the QVS is available on the Go8 website.

Reports

Reports will be placed here as and when they become available.