An Elective Quality Review offers you the opportunity to have a cyclical quality enhancement review by QAA, providing independent assurances to your stakeholders about the standard of your academic awards and quality of your learning experience. This service draws on QAA’s 27 years of experience as a world-leading quality body with unmatched expertise designing and operating reviews in the UK and internationally.
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Compliance with the ESG
The Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) provide the framework for internal and external quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area. QAA’s review methods are compliant with these standards, as are the reports we publish. More information is available on our website.
During the review, our team of experts will analyse your arrangements for quality assurance and standards, against international standards including Part 1 of the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG). This will enable you to demonstrate your commitment to both external scrutiny and quality enhancement. A successful review allows you to display the QAA Quality Mark.
Elective Quality Review is available to providers in England registered with the Office for Students. It focuses on the elements of the European Standards and Guidelines not explicitly addressed through the OfS conditions for registration, enabling you to demonstrate full alignment with the ESG.
Watch the video to discover the benefits of an Elective Quality Review
Benefits of a successful review
Public statement of confidence provided by an independent quality assurance
agency on the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR)
Exploration of enhancement initiatives, selected by you, which can lead to
verified statements of good practice in the report
Assurances that the standards of your academic awards and quality of the learning experience are in line with international standards (Part 1 of the ESG)
Demonstration of commitment to external scrutiny of quality assurance and the enhancement of quality
Independent evidence to support approval of new international partnership arrangements including transnational education
Eligibility to use the QAA Quality Mark on your website and marketing materials
Why undertake an Elective Quality Review?
- Promote your reputation and brand through external confirmation on the quality of the learning experience you provide – a successful review allows you to display the QAA Quality Mark.
- Provides an independent cyclical review and demonstration of adherence to the European Standards and Guidelines, often expected when recruiting international students and valuable as evidence for prospective partners and overseas agencies.
- Enables you to benefit from QAA's extensive expertise, including professional advice on enhancement through tailored follow up activity.
What you can expect
Your cyclical review will take place every five years, using a flexible, proportionate and tailored approach. Follow-up activity provides additional advice and support.
You can expect the following from Elective Quality Review:
- Detailed analysis of your approach to maintaining quality and standards by experts in higher education review.
- Advice and guidance on producing a self-assessment document and supporting evidence against ESG expectations not covered by the OfS conditions of registration.
- A visit to your provider to gather information and explore themes with stakeholders.
- A comprehensive written report, published on the QAA website.
- Advice on creating an action plan to address report outcomes.
- Mid-cycle enhancement engagement with QAA experts to explore progress, resulting in further advice and a confidential written report.
Optional modules
Two optional modules can further demonstrate your commitment to quality and enhancement:
- A supportive mid-cycle enhancement engagement by QAA experts, with greater scope and depth than the standard mid-cycle engagement, focusing on enhancement initiatives selected by you.
- Detailed written report containing confidential advice and guidance.
- Additional analysis conducted during the review looking specifically at compliance with the principles of QAA’s Academic Integrity Charter.
- Written commentary and potential recommendations about your approach to academic integrity.
Guidance for providers
We have published detailed guidance for providers who have either chosen to undertake an Elective Quality Review, or are interested and would like to know more. This document is intended to give you all the information you need to understand how the review will be conducted and the activities that will take place. You can also contact us if you have any questions about what’s involved.
Elective Quality Review: Guidance for providers
Publication date: 20 Nov 2023
Contact us
To find out more about what’s included, and to register your interest, contact our dedicated QAA team, who will be happy to help.
This service is available to English providers registered with the Office for Students, including universities, colleges and independent providers. QAA cannot provide this service for providers based in the other nations of the UK, as this would conflict with QAA’s existing role to provide formal assessments in those nations.