Developing and Using a QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Pharmacology

Melisa Wallace, Kirsten Pugh. Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK

Pharmacology is a subject that underpins a diverse range of socially and economically important careers that impact on the UK economy in key areas including medicine, academic research and the pharmaceutical industry (1). Importantly, interest in pharmacology degrees is growing; the number of applications to undergraduate pharmacology courses has increased by 54% (from 3,464 in 2003 to 5,333 in 2012)(2). Therefore, the training of world-class pharmacologists should be a top priority of UK Higher Education (HE).

Within the UK HE regulatory sector, a primary mechanism for degree quality assurance is the use of Subject Benchmark Statements, developed by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). These statements are intended to be a point of reference in the design and review of degree programmes, both internally and externally. They are also intended to provide an outline of skills that subject graduates can be expected to possess, thus setting expectations for students and employers. However, Benchmark Statements do not prescribe a compulsory curriculum, but are intended to provide a dynamic, over-arching framework for programme design and quality assurance that fosters flexibility and innovation.

Currently, as a degree subject, pharmacology falls under the Biosciences Subject Benchmark Statement. We feel that this benchmark statement is not an adequate tool for ensuring pharmacology degree quality and graduate attributes the UK. For example, the Biosciences Subject Benchmarks do not contain the word 'drug.' Therefore, in association with the British Pharmacological Society (BPS), we proposed that the QAA collaborate with the BPS and other stakeholders to develop a bespoke Pharmacology Subject Benchmark Statement.

Our proposal was submitted to the QAA in September 2013. If approved, the benchmarking process will occur over the next 1-2 years. The support and participation of BPS members in this process will be vital. At the BPS Annual Meeting 2013, we will briefly outline the benchmarking process and discuss how a Pharmacology Subject Benchmark Statement could be used as a tool to benefit current and future pharmacologists, employers and education providers. We believe this effort will strengthen an already world-class subject.

(1) Enriching research, training scientists Results of the ABPI 2011 survey of partnership working between the pharmaceutical industry and the university sector. Retrieved Sept. 30 2013,

http://www.abpi.org.uk/our-work/library/industry/Pages/enriching-research.aspx

(2) Data obtained from University and Colleges and Admissions Service (UCAS) (2013 report commissioned by the British Pharmacological Society).