De Montfort University (DMU) has excelled in the recent Higher Education Review conducted by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) from 13 to 17 April.
The key purpose of the rigorous review was to judge whether the university’s quality and academic standards meet UK expectations.
Not only did DMU meet all expectations, the university was commended in the enhancement of student learning opportunities, and identified as an example of good practice in many vital areas.
There have been 92 QAA reviews at universities and colleges across the country and DMU is one of only four higher education institutions to be awarded the commended status for enhancement of student learning opportunities.
Delighted by the findings of the review, DMU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dominic Shellard said: “I felt immensely proud of our university when I read the report. It is a wonderful testimony to the vibrancy of DMU, the scrupulous nature of so much of our activity and our shared commitment to doing the very best for our students.”
The extent to which the consideration of equality and diversity is explicitly embedded into the university’s curriculum design and delivery was identified as good practice, as was DMU’s effective deployment of Teacher Fellows in developing university strategies and delivering enhancement initiatives.
Also highlighted as good practice was DMU’s effective use of data management information to identify, monitor and evaluate enhancement activities. This is the result of the university’s cutting-edge reporting software, new management and deliberative structures, and commitment to continuous improvement.
DMU was asked to choose a theme, in consultation with student representatives, to be explored through the QAA review process. The theme of Student Employability was chosen and it should come as no surprise that, given this is at the heart of the university’s strategic vision, DMU excelled both in terms of student feedback and review findings.
In particular, the university’s groundbreaking #DMUglobal initiative, which will provide an international experience for more than 50 per cent of students by 2020 and enhances student employability, received praise from the consulted students and QAA review team, and it too was identified as good practice.
The high level of staff and student engagement in shaping DMU strategies, projects and initiatives was also hailed as being extremely positive, as was the university’s ability to share established good practice internally via their project management network.
For DMU to have its strong commitment to equality and diversity, enhancing student learning opportunities and boosting student employability recognised in such a crucial and meticulous review is a fantastic achievement.
It is the result of the concerted effort of DMU’s academics, professional services staff and students working together to constantly improve the student experience and realise the institution’s ambition to become one of the top 40 universities in the UK.
Professor Shellard said: “There is so much within the report that will enhance the reputation of the university still further. It will serve to reinforce that DMU is a very special place to be.”
The results of the QAA review follow other major achievements for the university in the last two years. In 2014, DMU was named as the most-improved British university and placed in the top 50 universities for student employability by The Sunday Times and Times.
This year, DMU was placed in the top 50 universities based on student feedback by the student-led WhatUni? website, and was thrilled to leap 17 places to 54 in the influential Complete University Guide, its highest-ever position.
The success of the university’s focus on employability was further evidenced in the most recent Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey which showed that DMU is in the top 25 universities for graduate employment.
The survey reported that 95.8 per cent of DMU graduates from summer 2014 were in work or further study six months after graduating, with more than three-quarters in graduate-level jobs.
Posted on Friday 10 July 2015