The Academic Infrastructure is being replaced by the UK Quality Code for Higher Education. Content on this page may be superseded by new Quality Code material. See our progress updates or contact us for further information.
The Code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education (the Code of practice) provides guidance on maintaining quality and standards for universities and colleges subscribing to QAA. It is made up of 10 sections and was originally prepared by QAA between 1998 and 2001. Revisions of individual sections began in 2004.
Full introduction to the Code of practice
Section 1: Postgraduate research programmes (2004)
Section 2: Collaborative provision and flexible and distributed learning (including e-learning) - Amplified version (2010)
Section 3: Disabled students (2010)
Section 4: External examining (2004): archive document
UK Quality Code for Higher Education: Chapter B7: External examining This new guidance replaces the Code of practice: Section 4
Section 5: Academic appeals and student complaints on academic matters (2007)
Section 6: Assessment of students (2006)
Section 7: Programme design, approval, monitoring and review (2006)
Section 8: Career education, information, advice and guidance (2010)
Section 9: Work-based and placement learning (2007)
Section 10: Admissions to higher education (2006)