The approach to undertaking external institutional quality review in Scotland is built on the principle of being enhancement-led and is a peer review process. Our approach acknowledges the maturity of the quality arrangements within the higher education institutions under review and that concept of external Enhancement-led Institutional Review is a key pillar of Scotland’s Quality Enhancement Framework. 

From 2003-22, the review method used by QAA Scotland was also called Enhancement-led Institutional Review (ELIR). ELIR went through four iterations, completing its fourth and final cycle in 2021-22. More information about ELIR, including thematic reports, evaluation of ELIR 4, and the handbook to support submission of follow-up reports, is available on its web page.

A new enhancement-led external institutional quality review method is currently under development and will be delivered across two phases. The development of this new method is taking place within the context of the Scottish Funding Council’s Review of Coherent Provision and Sustainability and the development of a Tertiary Quality Framework which is proposed for implementation from 2024-25.

• Phase 1 comprising Quality Enhancement and Standards Review (QESR) and Institutional Liaison Meetings (ILM) will take place in 2022-23 and 2023-24
• Phase 2 is being developed during 2022-23 in consultation with the sector. This cyclical review phase will commence in 2024-25, coinciding with the anticipated implementation of  SFC’s tertiary quality arrangements.