UK NARIC information and data: what’s new for 2019?

The UK NARIC 2019 Information Development Plan details the updates and developments that will be made to information and databases throughout this year. 

UK NARIC members can view the Plan in full here.

Responding to members’ needs

Research, information and data priorities have been identified in response to feedback from members, analysis of data from UK NARIC services, and changes and developments in education across the world.

A new thematic approach and the introduction of targeted updates to specific sections of country files within the databases will enable us to focus on the areas where the most up-to-date information is needed.

Targeted and responsive

More than 200 targeted updates to specific sections of country files on International Comparisons will be carried out for 138 countries. These updates have been prioritised due to recent notable changes, feedback from users and insights from our country experts. In addition, 25 country files will be updated in full.

Further updates will be incorporated throughout the year so we remain responsive to changes in international education, whenever and wherever they may be.

Themes

Research, update and development work will focus on six themes in 2019:

Institution listings are among the pages viewed most frequently and also the most challenging to keep up-to-date, especially for countries with large higher education sectors or complex systems of accreditation for programmes of study. From 2019, more listings will be updated annually to ensure this key information remains as comprehensive and relevant as possible.

We will continue our work on higher education readiness to support universities looking beyond traditional markets for international student recruitment.

Information on vocational training systems and qualifications across Eastern and Southern Europe will be reviewed following an increased demand for this information from our services for individuals.

Targeted reviews of undergraduate and postgraduate medical training in key sending countries for healthcare professionals will provide information to assist with the recruitment of well-qualified practitioners to ease occupational shortages.

UK NARIC is looking to develop and improve provision of market intelligence that can inform institutional decisions and strategy, and assist members in identifying viable recruitment markets and developing international partnerships.

In some countries, a formal exit qualification at 16 is not available, but students may transfer to another country before completing secondary education. Our work on incomplete secondary education will explore whether it is possible to determine if / when the standard of the GCSE has been met in order to provide advice to individuals and members.

Enhancing our databases

We are continuing to improve and expand our information provision.

Further document examples will be added to the Certificate Bank, which already includes over 5,000 images for 200 countries. Images will be added for postgraduate qualifications considered comparable to UK undergraduate awards and medical, engineering and teaching qualifications in 2019. These are designed to assist postgraduate admissions officers and those recruiting for shortage occupations respectively.

International Grade Comparisons compares grades achieved in international qualifications with UK A level and Bachelor degree grades to inform decision making about entry thresholds. Country coverage will be increased and grade distribution data updated in 2019.

The expansion of our country-specific information on the regulation and recognition of transnational education (TNE) will benefit both those dealing with TNE qualifications and those involved in the development of international partnerships.

The International and Cross Border Education section of International Comparisons provides information on aspects of education that extend beyond the jurisdiction of national borders. New additions planned for 2019 include information on regional qualifications frameworks and international upper secondary qualifications.

Stay up-to-date

Alerts about updates to the databases are published on the hub page.

We will also be sharing important changes and some of our findings in the UK NARIC newsletter and here on the blog.