Advisory Group 06.03.14
Appendix 15
BUCS Ratings Project Background In 2012 BUCS consulted widely with its members and stakeholders on the future direction of the organisation which resulted in the development and subsequent adoption of the BUCS Strategy 2013-2017. Our vision ‘to enhance the student experience through sport’ remains central to what we do however within the theme of sport members expressed a desire for BUCS to take the lead on developing a measurement tool to rate the overall sporting offering at a university – so giving recognition for all aspects of the student sporting experience. Project aim To investigate the development of a sport rating system which complements the existing BUCS points ranking, but which recognises the broad contribution made by sport and associated to the student experience. Drivers for creating a ratings system
Inform and Influence student choice Provide at institutional level a whole sport picture Allow comparisons with other institutions
Outcomes from creating a ratings system
Support the case for investment in sport Drive up the quality of the sporting offer for students Drive up the quality of the student experience nationally in relation to sport
Components of the HE Sport & Physical Activity Offer Can I do it? Breadth of opportunity No of participants (FTE) Facility availability to students On campus and /or off campus
What do I get out of it? Additional qualifications Volunteering opportunities Skills development Student retention
Opportunity and frequency External club & community links
Benefits of regular activity
How good will it be? Student satisfaction Quality of facilities Range of facilities & activities Availability and accessibility of facilities Perceived value for money Service provision Quality of information
Advisory Group 06.03.14
Appendix 15
The Components and Criteria diagram identifies the Performance Indicators that will be used to create the outputs and for each component the current data sources have been identified and are listed below.
The University Guide Survey (BUCS owned) National Benchmarking Service (NBS – managed by SIRC) Higher Education Sport Participation and Satisfaction Survey (HESPSS – owned by Sport England).
The areas highlighted in red in the table above were identified during discussion but are not relevant to this exercise. Considerations Current return rates for the University Guides are high while HESPSS is limited to those institutions with Active Universities funding and NBS is optional with a low level of take up by members Conversations are currently taking place with both SIRC and Sport England as establish the extent to which BUCS can access components of NBS and HESPSS to contribute to the proposed ratings system. An important factor influencing the success of the ratings system will be the level of take up so it is vital that the data collection process is not too onerous. Next Steps 1. SIRC to scope project and with all parties approval collate data already available to produce pilot. 2. Continue discussion with Sport England around HESPSs. 3. Compare HE Audit (Sport England) with University Guide Survey and investigate option to merge. 4. Based on outcomes above establish cost of delivery.
Advisory Group: For information and any comments from regions to be directed to
[email protected]
