QAA has developed procedures for handling Causes for Concern in institutions that provide higher education in England and Wales. There is also a similar procedure for managing potential risks in Scotland.
A Cause for Concern is strictly defined for this purpose as 'any policy, procedure or action implemented or omitted by an institution that appears likely to jeopardise the academic standards and quality of its higher education programmes and/or awards'.
To help identify the nature of your complaint and whether it is a concern that can be progressed through the Causes for Concern scheme, take a look at the visual guide.
Causes for Concern and individual disputes
It is important that Causes for Concern are not confused with individual disputes between institutions and students, or with staff employment disputes with institutions. QAA has no remit or power to become involved in individual disputes involving students or members of staff and higher education institutions, either as an arbitrator or on their behalf.
We can, however, investigate concerns that relate to an institution’s policies or procedures (or lack of these) that are having a serious adverse effect on its academic standards and the quality of its higher education awards.
If you are engaged in a personal dispute that you believe has developed as a result of a more general problem that has come to light at an institution, we may be able to consider that element of your complaint under our Causes for Concern scheme, but please note that we will not be able to remedy your personal situation or offer you redress.
Please also note that we do not have the power or the remit to request that your institution, or an external examiner, remarks or regrades your work; and we cannot remark or regrade your work ourselves.
QAA will not normally consider a matter of concern if you have not first tried to resolve it using the institution’s own internal procedure. Please also note that, unless there are exceptional circumstances, QAA will not investigate complaints while other investigatory processes, for example an institution’s own internal complaints procedure, an investigation by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, or an Employment Tribunal, are taking place.
Procedure in EnglandIf you believe that a Cause for Concern exists within an institution in England, please read the procedure for handling these and complete the Causes for Concern scheme application form. For your complaint to be considered under the scheme, this form must be completed and submitted with documentary evidence to back up your allegations. Handling causes for concern in further and higher education institutions in England – HTML | PDF Completed forms and evidence should be sent to: Causes for Concern, QAA,
Southgate House,
Southgate Street,
Gloucester
GL1 1UB |
Procedure in WalesIf you believe that a Cause for Concern exists within an institution in Wales, please read the procedure for handling these and complete the Causes for Concern scheme application form. For your complaint to be considered under the scheme, this form must be completed and submitted with documentary evidence to back up your allegations. Handling causes for concern in further and higher education institutions in Wales – HTML | PDF Completed forms and evidence should be sent to: Causes for Concern, QAA,
Southgate House,
Southgate Street,
Gloucester
GL1 1UB |
Procedure in ScotlandIn Scotland, a protocol for managing potential risks to quality and academic standards is in place and is intended to have a similar role to the Causes for concern arrangements that operate in other parts of the UK, while addressing the distinctive features of the Scottish higher education sector. Managing potential risks to quality and academic standards - HTML | PDF Any enquiries about using the protocol should be directed to: Director of QAA Scotland, Email: causesforconcern@qaa.ac.uk |
Procedure in Northern IrelandThe established Causes for Concern procedures do not extend to Northern Ireland, and in such cases QAA's role would be to send details of the complaint to the Vice Chancellor of the institution concerned, request comments on the matters raised, and ask to be kept informed of the progress of the complaint. Please submit your complaint in writing accompanied by documentary evidence to: Causes for Concern, QAA,
Southgate House,
Southgate Street,
Gloucester
GL1 1UB |
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