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Our work in Scotland

Making it work: a guidebook exploring work-based learning

Making it work: a guidebook to work-based learning front cover

We have recently launched a guidebook exploring work-based learning (WBL) in online and PDF format. It is aimed at all those who are interested in WBL or wish to explore its possibilities. Read the guidebook >>

Recognition of Prior Learning - Sharing European Principles and Practice

QAA Scotland held an event in Brussels for higher education specialists and government ministers and policymakers from 28 countries on the practice and principles of RPL. Read more >>

Links to our partner organisations in Scotland

National Union of Students Scotland

Scotland's Colleges

Scottish Advisory Committee on Credit and Access (SACCA)

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)

Scottish Funding Council

student participation in quality scotland (sparqs)

The Scottish Government

Universities Scotland

We have a separate Scottish office, known as QAA Scotland. QAA Scotland works closely with the Scottish Government, Universities Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council, and other higher education organisations, to develop and operate arrangements that reflect the needs of higher education in Scotland.

The work of QAA Scotland covers a broad range of issues and much of our work is part of the quality enhancement framework. Our work supports and makes use of the Academic Infrastructure while developing it specifically for the Scottish sector.

Introduction to QAA Scotland front cover

The work of QAA Scotland: enhancing quality in Scottish higher education (PDF)

 

 

Reviews in Scotland

We review higher education in Scotland using Enhancement-led institutional review (ELIR). ELIR focuses on the institution's ability to manage the standards of its academic awards and the quality of the learning opportunities it provides for its students

Working in partnership

QAA Scotland manages the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF) in partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority, Universities Scotland, Scotland's Colleges and the Scottish Government. Find out more about this work on the SCQF website.

As part of the quality enhancement framework, QAA supports a programme of national Enhancement Themes, and we also coordinate a process of 'International Benchmarking'. There is a dedicated Enhancement Themes website with details of events, news and outcomes of these areas of work.

QAA Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, Vitae and the Higher Education Academy are undertaking an integrated programme of work in the area of the Postgraduate Research Degree Experience.

Our work to support development in credit and access includes activities coordinated by the then Scottish Advisory Committee on Credit and Access (a joint committee with Universities Scotland). The SACCA website provides details of some of these activities

QAA Scotland works with the Higher Education Academy and the Centre for Recording Achievement on Personal Development Planning (PDP).

Universities Scotland Teaching Quality Forum - Good practice reports.

Student engagement

Students are actively engaged in our work including as members of ELIR teams and as members of Enhancement Theme Steering Committees. We also work with and are one of the stakeholder organisations of the national support service  'student participation in quality scotland' (sparqs).

Protocol for managing potential risks to quality and academic standards - HTML | PDF

QAA Scotland has developed a protocol for managing potential risks to quality and academic standards. It is intended to have a similar role to the Causes for Concern arrangements that operate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is not a mechanism for addressing individual complaints or grievances. These should still be addressed through the institution's internal mechanisms and, ultimately, via the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.

Contact QAA Scotland

For more information, please contact our QAA Scotland office.


Want to compare the main qualifications in Scotland to other countries in the UK and Ireland?

Take a look at the updated easy-to-use guide - Qualifications can cross boundaries - a rough guide to comparing qualifications in the UK and Ireland (PDF)