Student Engagement

Information for students on how to get involved in the University’s quality assurance framework.

Student engagement is crucial to the quality of the University's teaching and learning. By taking opportunities to be involved with quality processes and providing feedback on their experience, students are not only influencing their own period of study but that of future students.

EUSA and University Student Engagement Statement

EUSA and University Student Engagement Statement (pdf)

Student representatives

You are encouraged to contribute to the student-staff liaison committee in your subject area(s), either through your representative, or by becoming a representative yourself.

Student representatives sit on a range of University committees, from the school level to the senior governing bodies of Senate and Court.

As a representative you will have to opportunity to develop valuable skills that will enhance your employability.

The Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) website has information on how to get involved in student representation.

Becoming a student representative

Further support and development of the student role is provided by Student Partnerships in Quality Scotland (SPARQS).

Student Participation in Quality Scotland (SPARQS)

Student-staff liaison committees (SSLCs)

Principles for student-staff liaison committees

The policy establishes key principles for the operation of student-staff liaison committees.

Principles for student-staff liaison committees (pdf)

External Examiner Summary Reports at SSLCs

In partnership with EUSA, it has been agreed that the SSLC is the best forum for consideration of themes arising from External Examiner reports and the responses of Schools/Subject areas.

Guidance for Students - External (PDF)

This information is considered in a number of areas, including the Student Staff Liaison Committee and the School Teaching Committee. These committees make annual reports to the college committee responsible for quality assurance. The college committees report in turn to Senate Quality Assurance Committee

Guidance on Data Protection and Freedom of Information Implications of the Code (pdf)

Internal review

We also carry out periodic reviews of our teaching, through Teaching Programme Review (TPR) and Postgraduate Programme Review (PPR).

Each review panel includes a student member, who is a full member of the team.

Further information about becoming involved in these reviews is available from EUSA.

Further information about the Internal Review process can be found on the Academic Services website.

Guidance Information for Students on Programmes under review (pdf)

Student feedback

Student experience feedback is essential to quality assurance.

This feedback is used to enhance the quality of current courses and degree programmes as well as the wider educational experience.

By taking the opportunity to provide feedback on your experience, you are not only influencing the period of your own studies but that of future students and the future development of the University.

The University uses a number of methods to gather feedback from students.

These are:

· course monitoring questionnaires

· degree programme monitoring questionnaires

· student staff liaison committees (SSLCs)

· surveys

Course and programme monitoring

All current undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses obtain annual feedback from students.

This information is considered in a number of areas, including the student staff liaison committee and the School Teaching Committee. These committees make annual reports to the college committee responsible for quality assurance. The college committees report in turn to Senate Quality Assurance Committee.

Annual course monitoring feedback is used in internal University reviews of the quality of teaching in a subject area: Teaching Programme Reviews or Postgraduate Programme Reviews.

This student feedback is also used in reviews by professional, statutory and regulatory body visits or accreditation exercises.