Guidance - Evidence-informed Quality Improvement Programme (EQUIP)

    Please note that submissions for EQUIP have now closed.

    All enquiries about the programme and submissions should be sent to EQUIP@heacademy.ac.uk.

    EQUIP is a new programme from the Higher Education Academy that will help individual higher education institutions to identify, understand and resolve key issues affecting the quality and effectiveness of the student learning experience.

    The following notes provide guidance on the submission of project proposals for EQUIP.

     

    Download the full guidance document 

    Download the proposal form 

     

    Selection Criteria:

    Teams will be selected based on the assessment of their proposals on:

    • clarity of the rationale, scope and aims of the proposed area of work;
    • senior management commitment to the proposed area of work and its alignment with the institution’s mission and strategic plan;
    • focus on enhancement of students’ learning experiences;
    • recognition of the role of the student voice in informing change;
    • the likelihood that the proposed institutional initiative will be of interest to others in the sector.

    The selection process will also take into account the following factors in order to ensure a successful experience for all participants:

    • only one proposal will be accepted per institution for each EQUIP programme;
    • consideration will be given to: a diversity of themes or approaches; a range of types and size of institution; a wide geographical distribution of institutions across the UK.

    Background:

    UK HEIs are currently facing huge challenges - reduction in and changes to funding models, global competition, and the need to engage with an increasingly diverse body of learners, for example. At the same time they must continue to ensure that quality and standards are maintained, niche markets are developed and the student learning experience is improved. EQUIP will help institutions with these challenges through:

    • the development and implementation of practice and policy to enhance the student learning experience using institutional teams (champions);
    • providing an opportunity to take an holistic approach to the consideration and analysis of evidence on the student learning experience;
    • the support of the Academy team and other consultants throughout the programme;
    • collaborative working and sharing practice with other participants on the programme;
    • the institutional team engaging with a year-long process of development, which will be valuable not only to individual team members but also wider institutional development;
    • team members gaining new knowledge and skills in organisational development;
    • team leaders developing their knowledge and skills in relation to leadership, team building, using data to inform practice, influencing skills, impact assessment skills and dissemination skills;
    • providing a new community of practice focussed on evidence-informed quality enhancement.