The revised Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism benchmark statements, incorporating a distinct strand for Events, are now available for download from the QAA website.   

Glenn Bowdin, Chair of AEME, said, "This is a major advance for the events subject to be recognised in this way and provides us with the foundations to develop courses and take the subject area forward."

Further information about benchmarks from Peter Williams, Chief Executive, QAA

Subject benchmark statements provide a means for the UK’s academic community to describe the nature of study, and the academic standards expected of graduates, in specific subject areas and in respect of particular qualifications. They provide a picture of what a graduate in a particular discipline might reasonably be expected to know, do and understand at the end of their programme of study.

The original subject benchmark statements, published in 2000 and 2002, have been revised in line with an original commitment by QAA to review them every five years. Each subject benchmark statement has been reviewed and revised by a group of subject specialists drawn from, and acting on behalf of, the relevant academic subject community, in consultation with a wider group representing the subject’s broader interests.

Revisions have tended to reflect current developments, including industry changes and the existence of occupational standards; changes to, or the introduction of, PSRB requirements; changes to subject curricula, including contemporary issues such as sustainability and ethics; and European perspectives on standards.

Subject benchmark statements are intended to act as reference points for those involved in the design, delivery and review of academic programmes. They are not intended to represent a national curriculum in a subject or to prescribe set approaches to teaching, learning or assessment. Instead, they allow for both flexibility and innovation in programme design within a conceptual framework agreed by the subject community itself.

 Source: QAA Circular letter CL05/08