Skip navigation

Girl in libraryWho we are and what we do

The primary responsibility for academic standards and quality in UK higher education rests with individual universities and colleges, each of which is independent and self-governing. QAA checks how well they meet their responsibilities, identifying good practice and making recommendations for improvement. We also publish guidelines to help institutions develop effective systems to ensure students have high quality experiences.

We meet our responsibilities by:

  • conducting reviews of universities and colleges
  • publishing reports on the confidence that can be placed in an institution's management of standards and quality
  • providing guidance to universities and colleges on maintaining academic standards and improving quality, in line with the Academic Infrastructure
  • investigating causes for concern about academic standards and quality
  • advising governments on applications for degree awarding powers and university title
  • engaging with European and wider international developments.

The role of QAA in UK higher education

Higher education in the UK has an international reputation for excellence. Maintaining the highest academic standards and quality is crucial to keeping this reputation.

All universities and colleges that provide higher education in the UK are autonomous. These institutions are not owned by the state, but most receive government funding distributed by the separate higher education funding councils for England, Scotland and Wales, and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland.

Each university and college of higher education is responsible for the standards of the awards it makes and the quality of the education it provides to its students. Each has its own internal quality assurance procedures.

QAA is an independent body funded by subscriptions from universities and colleges and through contracts with the higher education funding bodies. We carry out external quality assurance by visiting universities and colleges to review how well they are fulfilling their responsibilities. We also offer guidance on maintaining and improving quality assurance processes and developing course delivery through the Academic Infrastructure.

TopTop