[Monitoring and Review home page]
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) (external website) is an external agency that publishes guidance on the expectations all providers of UK higher education are required to meet. They carry out reviews of institutions, involving a thorough evaluation of the institution's educational provision, and publish reports which highlight areas of good practice, make recommendations for how to improve academic standards and quality, and comment on how well an institution meets its responsibilities.
The QAA last undertook an Institutional Audit of the University (external website) from 10th-14th March 2008. This audit declared 'confidence' (the best judgement available) in the soundness of our present and likely future management of the academic standards of our awards and the soundness of our present and likely future management of the quality of the learning opportunities available to students. The audit also found that the proactive approach adopted by the University to quality enhancement has created a sound basis for further development and that we have a sound framework for the arrangements for postgraduate research students.
The management of our collaborative provision is subject to separate audit and judgements. In December 2010, the University received a judgement of ‘confidence’ in the management of academic standards and in the management of the quality of learning opportunities available to students across the partner institutions. As well as the management of academic standards, the report highlighted good practice included the University’s proactive approach to supporting the professional development of partner institution staff, and the use of external academic experts, practitioners and employers in approving and monitoring academic programmes.
Page last updated: 02 May 2013