Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

Abbreviation	QAA
Formation	1997
Legal status	Non-profit organisation
Purpose	Maintaining and enhancing academic quality and standards in UK tertiary education
Location	Southgate House, Southgate Street, Gloucester
Region served	UK
Chief Executive	Vicki Stott
Main organ	QAA Board
Website	qaa.ac.uk

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (usually referred to simply as the Quality Assurance Agency or QAA) is the United Kingdom higher education sector's independent expert quality body. It has a remit to maintain and enhance the quality of teaching and learning in tertiary education in the United Kingdom and beyond.^[1] It conducts quality assessment reviews, develops reference points and guidance for providers, and conducts or commissions research on relevant issues.

QAA has a United Kingdom-wide role on behalf of the sector maintaining sector-owned reference points including the United Kingdom Quality Code for Higher Education and Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA also maintains the Credit Frameworks used in the various nations of the United Kingdom, and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications which applies throughout the United Kingdom except in Scotland.

QAA provides guidance and other publications, and runs events, relating to the maintenance of standards and the enhancement of quality of teaching and learning. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland these enhancement activities are part of the formal quality arrangements; in England they are provided through a separate membership scheme, through which the sector in England also contributes to the funding of the sector-owned reference points.

QAA undertakes cyclical quality review of higher education institutions throughout the United Kingdom, except currently in England, where the regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), has not implemented a cyclical review approach and QAA has chosen to focus on its enhancement activity, including new paid-for services to help the sector meet regulatory requirements and enhance quality.

In addition to its role in sustaining the reputation of United Kingdom higher education, QAA also regulates the Access to Higher Education Diploma,^[2] a qualification that enables individuals without A Levels or the usual equivalent to enter higher education.

QAA works closely with other organisations that have an interest in the reputation of United Kingdom higher education, including the Scottish Funding Council, HEFCW, Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, Universities United Kingdom and GuildHE.