QAA takes a leading role in international developments in standards and quality. We enjoy a close relationship with international quality assurance agencies, monitoring and reporting on advances around the world.
Our overseas reviews
Many UK institutions offer their higher education programmes through partnership links with organisations abroad. Institutions are responsible for the academic standards of their awards, whether delivered inside or outside of the UK. As part of our work, we review the partnership arrangements that UK higher education institutions have made with organisations in other countries to deliver UK programmes.
It is important to note that it is not QAA’s role to review or accredit partner institutions outside the UK. We do, however, provide guidance for UK higher education institutions for selecting partners and agents through our Code of practice. Please see our reviews section for overseas audit reports.
Our work in Europe
In 2008, QAA was externally reviewed to assess the level of its compliance against the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG), in order to reconfirm membership of the
European Association of Quality Assurance Agencies (ENQA) for a further five years. We were found to be fully compliant in 14 of the 16 standards and substantially compliant in the other two. Further details are in the report.
ENQA is the umbrella organisation for quality assurance agencies in the European Higher Education Area and is one of the main actors in the Bologna Process. Fiona Crozier, Assistant Director, Development and Enhancement at QAA, is currently the Vice President the ENQA Board and Peter Williams, our former Chief Executive, is the former ENQA President.
Our work around the world
QAA is a member of the International Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). We also participate in the Asia-Pacific Quality Network (APQN) and jointly organised a pre-conference workshop at the 2010 APQN conference.
We also have links with partner agencies around the world through Memoranda of Understanding and Cooperation.
Memoranda of Understanding
Higher Education and Training Awards Council, Dublin, Ireland - Memorandum | Website
National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation, Tokyo, Japan - Memorandum | Website
Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council of Higher Education, Pretoria, South Africa - Memorandum | Website
Danmarks Evalueringsinstitut, Copenhagen, Denmark - Memorandum | Website
Memoranda of cooperation
Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, Hong Kong - Memorandum | Website
Further information
For further information about our international activity, please contact Carolyn Campbell on 01452 557044 or email international@qaa.ac.uk.
If you have a complaint against a UK university or college, please see our Complaints in HE section. You can also email concerns@qaa.ac.uk or phone 01452 557000 for further advice.
Below is a list of partner organisations that students may wish to visit for further information about international work in higher education.
Asia Pacific Quality Network (APQN)
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
ENIC-NARIC
European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA)
International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE)
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The UK Higher Education International and Europe Unit (IEU)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
For details about recognised bodies in the UK, please see the Department for Business Innovation and Skills website.