Enhancement Themes
The Enhancement Themes aim to enhance the student learning experience in Scottish higher education by identifying specific areas (Themes) for development. The Themes encourage staff and students to share current good practice and collectively generate ideas and models for innovation in learning and teaching. The work of the Enhancement Themes is planned and directed by the Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee (SHEEC).
Enhancement Themes are part of the unique Scottish Quality Enhancement Framework (QEF) which has been designed to support higher education institutions in managing the quality of the student learning experience and to provide public confidence in the quality and standards of higher education. It was developed in 2003 and is coordinated by the Universities Quality Working Group which has members from the Scottish Funding Council, Universities Scotland, QAA Scotland, the Higher Education Academy, and the National Union of Students, Scotland.
The QEF consists of five inter-related aspects:
- Enhancement Themes
- enhancement-led institutional review (ELIR)
- institution-led quality review
- the engagement of students in quality management, including the support provided through the national independent development service, student participation in quality scotland (sparqs)
- institutional provision of an agreed set of public information.
Current Themes
The current Theme, Developing and Supporting the Curriculum runs from 2011 to 2014 and is divided into three Phases.
- Phase 1 (March 2011-June 2012) is now complete.
- Phase 2 (July 2012-December 2013): institutional work will continue and three areas of work have been commissioned
- Phase 3 (December 2013-July 2014): this will focus on the outcomes and how the Theme has facilitated change to enhance the student learning experience.
The two DSC briefing papers have more detailed information.
Themes which have been completed