Many higher education courses leading to a professional or vocational qualification are required or choose to be accredited by a professional, statutory or regulatory body (PSRB). Academic accreditation may involve registration, professional exam exemption or fast track to membership.
The nature of the regulatory and accountability relationships between PSRBs and autonomous higher education institutions (HEIs) is varied and complex. HEBRG has examined the longstanding challenges in defining PSRBs and how they work with HE, reviewing estimations measuring the impact of engagement with PSRBs and initiatives that have considered PSRBs within the larger framework of HE regulation. A better understanding of the primary engagements between HEIs and PSRBs will be useful as the sector looks to function efficiently and effectively in a new regulatory landscape and under increased financial pressure.
- The report, 'Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies: An Exploration of their Engagement with Higher Education'
- An online database of more than 130 PSRBs engaging with HEIs, which includes information on their self-reported activities, relevant subject areas, and geographical remit. This is a working resource to aid understanding of this area of HE regulation and will be updated to incorporate feedback from PSRBs and the HE sector.
- A two-stage contribution to and analysis of the sector-wide Survey of University Statutory and External Returns 2010. Early findings were presented at the HEBRG conference in December and a second stage of follow-up work is underway.
- A plain-English explanatory statement on the involvement of PSRBs in UK HE commissioned by the Quality in Higher Education Group.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the database of PSRBs please email info@hebetterregulation.ac.uk with the subject line PSRBs.