2012 Annual Conference : "Academic Credit 2012: Harmonies, developments & digressions"

This joint SEEC/NUCCAT event formally launched the outcomes of a major survey of the use of academic credit at HE level recently undertaken by the UK Credit Forum.

Early in 2012, the UK Credit Forum (UKCF) undertook a major survey of HE credit practice in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  Previous surveys had been conducted by the Northern Universities Consortium (NUCCAT), the Southern England Consortium (SEEC) and the EWNI Credit Forum around ten years previously. This conference will formally launch the findings of the report based on credit use in over 60 institutions.  The survey explored the following issues:

-     Has the entire UK now adopted a common framework for learning in terms of the basis for the award of credit and the definition of the credit in respect of learning hours?

-     Has the sector adopted common identity labels for the credit levels in each country as proposed by the national frameworks?

-     Is there a common set of credit level descriptors in each country?

-     Is there a common set of credit requirements for each major award in the national qualifications identified by the QAA Scotland and QAA (England & Wales and Northern Ireland)?

-     It is well known that there is considerable variation in the way in which the honours classification is calculated but is this significant and are some students potentially advantaged or disadvantaged by it?

-     In 2001, the Joint UK Credit bodies recommended that consideration be given to standardising minor national awards in terms of credit value. Are these awards now more widely used and is there a national consensus in the credit values of such awards?

-     What are the credit issues which concern HE providers in 2012?

Attendees had the opportunity to discuss the findings of the report and explore topical issues in planned parallel sessions in the following areas:

• Key Information Sets (KIS) – early indications and continuing challenges
• The Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) – implications for credit and its use
• Higher Apprenticeships
• Credit and Europe (‘Bologna accord’)
• Employer engagement
• Bite-sized credit and CPD frameworks
• Bridging boundaries with credit, e.g. HEI recognition of QCF credit

Copies of the UKCF ‘Survey of Higher Education Credit Practice in the United Kingdom 2012’ are priced £8.00 including postage and packaging and may be purchased:

- By cheque made out to ‘University of Derby’ and sent to Professor Paul Bridges, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB; or
- By credit card, please telephone the University of Derby University Cashier’s office on 01332 591028.

Download the conference programme, presentations and report below.