A Comparative Study of Conservatory Branch Campuses in China: Regulations, Quality Assurance, and Impacts on Cross-Border Music Higher Education

Background: International branch campuses (IBCs) are considered cross-border higher education providers that involve the migration of institutions and academic programs across national boundaries. The number of IBCs has rapidly increased worldwide due to globalization, from 72 in 2000 to 263 in 2017. In China, there were nine IBCs by the end of 2020, like Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Interestingly, world-renowned music colleges have established conservatory branch campuses, such as the Tianjin Juilliard School (TJS) and the Shenzhen Conservatory of Music (SZCM), also known as CUHK-Shenzhen School of Music. However, despite existing literature studying the quality assurance (QA) of IBCs, there are very few studies focusing on the music teaching QA of these conservatory branch campuses in China. It is assumed that due to the unique characteristics of the music discipline, as well as differences in music higher education systems between Hong Kong SAR, China, and the U.S., the QA practices and challenges are multifaceted. Therefore, assessing these conservatory branch campuses in China is worthwhile to improve the existing QA systems in cross-border music higher education.

Purpose: This research aims to contribute to the QA management of music teaching in TJS and SZCM. Apart from exploring their regulations, this study mainly analyzes their "internal QA" (e.g., students' music performance, music practices, music teaching resources, etc.) by adopting Knight's FOPA model. The introduction of the internal QA system for music higher education in the U.S. and Hong Kong and its development and challenges in China will be also elaborated upon.

Methodology: Qualitative document analysis will be adopted to collect data from official reports, syllabuses, websites, policies, news, and literature, examining the development of two conservatory branch campuses that were selected using purposive sampling. In-depth interviews with administrative personnel and observation of music classes will also be conducted to obtain details on issues that cannot be obtained through document analysis.

Findings: The results will be presented onsite. They might reveal the regulations for conservatory branch campuses located in China, the unique indicators and criteria for ensuring the quality of music teaching in higher education different from other disciplines, as well as the positive impacts and challenges for the development of conservatory branch campuses.

Implications: This study can contribute to the development of cross-border music higher education and provide guidance on how conservatory branch campuses can assure the quality of their music higher education. Its important implications will extend to the Asia-Pacific region and globally.