What does ‘quality’ in higher education mean? Perceptions of staff, students and employers

Abstract

‘Quality’ in education is difficult to define. What is viewed as high quality by staff, students and employers must be identified so that universities can articulate their offer. Equally, helping students develop the graduate skills and attributes that employers value is essential. This project explored quality in higher education from the perspectives of undergraduate students, academic staff and employers. Three hundred and forty students, 32 staff and 17 employers completed their respective questionnaires. Qualitative data were collected from students in focus groups. Results showed that employers most highly valued graduate personal qualities, while the quality of teaching and learning, feedback and staff: student relationships were highly rated by staff and students. Students, while positive about the methods of teaching and learning used, expressed uncertainty about whether they were receiving a high-quality education. Higher education institutions and academic staff must articulate the value of the academic offer more clearly to their students.

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