We want to put students at the heart of everything we do at QAA, to help you to be active participants in shaping your own education. For us, student engagement is about giving all students the opportunity and encouragement to get involved in quality assurance and the enhancement of higher education.
The role of students in quality assurance
Students have become increasingly involved in the enhancement of their own learning experiences, and in the planning and governance processes of higher education institutions. Today their voices are heard loud and clear and their views are being taken seriously.
Here are just some of the ways in which students have become actively involved in the assurance of quality:
- providing feedback on their courses
- contributing to the development of learning and teaching in their subject area
- participating in university or college decision-making processes
- representing student views through a students' union or other representative body.
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
QAA's job is to safeguard academic standards and quality of education in UK universities and colleges. We want every student to have the best possible learning experience.
Each university or college is responsible for ensuring that appropriate standards are being achieved and a good quality education is being offered. QAA is an independent organisation that checks how well universities and colleges meet their responsibilities by:
- reviewing universities and colleges
- giving universities and colleges guidance on how to maintain their academic standards and improve the quality of the education they provide
- providing reference points that help to define clear academic standards.