Working in partnership

Many different groups of people have an interest in the quality of higher education in the UK, including staff and students in institutions, employers, professional, regulatory and statutory bodies (PSRBs), and other sector-wide bodies such as the Higher Education Academy.

QAA works together with our stakeholders through a range of liaison, networking and dissemination activities. These provide channels for communication and sharing information. We also work on specific projects across the HE sector.

Working with…

The Higher Education Academy QAA works in collaboration with the Higher Education Academy (HEA). We are currently involved in a joint project to explore the relationship between quality assurance and quality enhancement in higher education.	Staff in higher education We consult with staff in higher education on all aspects of our work, and hold regular round table meetings across the UK. We also operate a liaison scheme for subscribing institutions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Employers We work with employers, concentrating on the quality assurance of work-related learning, but also working with professional, statutory and regulatory bodies on a joint forum to rationalise demands on higher education.	Ofsted In 2008 QAA signed an agreement with Ofsted. Both organisations review colleges and universities and aim to ensure qualifications are sound; the agreement is designed to further reduce any unnecessary overlap in their work.
Students QAA initiated the establishment of a cross-sector student engagement group involving the National Union of Students and other higher education organisations, and we are committed to working with partners across the sector to promote student engagement.	General Osteopathic Council QAA is contracted to carry out reviews of osteopathic programmes of study and of the institutions that provide them on behalf of the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
Quality Strategy Network QSN provides a forum for discussion between senior quality managers on issues of common interest. It is independent of all other sector bodies but works with QAA where appropriate.

Partnerships worldwide

QAA is a member of the European Association of Quality Assurance Agencies (ENQA) and of the International Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). We also have observer status at the Asia Pacific Quality Network. We have formal links with organisations around the world, and regularly work with colleagues from many different countries.

For further information about our work worldwide, please visit our international section.