Supporting course redevelopment for a changing higher education landscape
As higher education institutions navigate the rapid emergence of generative AI, contract cheating and new forms of academic misconduct, the need for clear, current and authoritative guidance on academic standards has never been greater. To ensure its flagship Avoiding Plagiarism course remained aligned with evolving sector expectations and institutional needs, Epigeum, part of Sage Publishing, partnered with QAA to undertake an independent diagnostic review of the programme's new edition ahead of its launch in May 2026. Here, they speak about their experience and the benefits the process delivered.
The challenge
Epigeum has a long-established reputation for developing online learning programmes for higher education institutions around the world, with a portfolio covering academic integrity, research integrity and prevention and response training. The Avoiding Plagiarism course has been part of that portfolio since 2014 and had previously been refreshed in 2021. However, the higher education environment has changed significantly in recent years. The redevelopment of the course needed to address emerging challenges, including:
- Generative AI and its implications for assessment and academic integrity
- Contract cheating
- Self-plagiarism
- Plagiarism in coding and digital submissions
- Greater integration with wider academic integrity principles and practices.
Given the pace of change in this area, we sought external expertise to help validate the course content, identify areas for enhancement and ensure that guidance reflected current sector expectations and good practice.
Why QAA?
QAA's role in safeguarding academic standards and supporting quality enhancement across UK higher education made it a natural partner for this work. The independent perspective offered by QAA provided additional assurance that institutions using the course could have confidence in its guidance.
The Targeted Quality and Standards Service also aligned closely with Epigeum's development methodology. The structured review process, comprising expert analysis, internal moderation, a written report and follow-up discussion, complemented our own editorial and quality assurance processes.
It felt less like a report and more like a genuine set of expert eyes embedded in our development process, which is exactly what we'd hoped for.
The approach
The service involved a QAA Quality Specialist conducting a diagnostic, desk-based review of evidence supplied by Epigeum. The objective was to assess the programme, identify strengths and potential risks, and highlight opportunities for enhancement that could inform ongoing development and future review activity.
The review was delivered across two distinct stages:
Stage 1: Content framework review
Stage 2: Full course review
A second review took place once the course had been developed into its learner-facing format. Working screen-by-screen across all three modules, the QAA reviewer examined the content in detail, providing specific recommendations on language, structure, consistency, usability and academic content. Findings were moderated internally before being presented in a comprehensive report and discussed with Epigeum through a follow-up meeting.
The value of the review lay in the practical and actionable nature of the feedback, which could be systematically incorporated into the development process.
The impact
The review provided both reassurance and enhancement opportunities across several areas. Key benefits included:
Strengthened content and terminology
The review helped refine language and terminology, ensuring that content would resonate effectively with both UK and international student audiences.
Greater consistency
QAA's feedback provided an external check on the consistency of definitions, concepts and key messages across the programme, helping to improve the quality and clarity of the programme content.
Enhanced learner experience
Reviewing the programme from a learner perspective enabled the identification of usability and functionality improvements before launch, helping to ensure a more effective learning experience.
New approaches to student engagement
The review generated fresh ideas for learning activities and content presentation, supporting stronger engagement with learners and improving the effectiveness of key messages.
Up-to-date sector insight
Given the rapidly evolving nature of generative AI and academic integrity, the review highlighted relevant and current research that could inform the course content and enhance its credibility.
Specialist higher education expertise
The involvement of a Quality Specialist with current experience of UK higher education provided valuable insight into complex areas where institutional practice can vary, helping to ensure guidance reflected sector realities.
Every point from both reviews was worked through directly with our authors. Our courses are known for bringing together multiple sector voices to establish robust, validated guidance, and this kind of sector-recognised quality assurance is a large part of how we develop and refresh our courses – particularly in an area as fast-moving as generative AI, where what counts as good guidance can shift within a single publishing cycle. This project has given us confidence in the model of collaborating with external agencies, and we're looking forward to building on it with QAA through further collaboration.
Contact us to find out more about our Targeted Quality and Standards Service
If you would like further information about how we can help you address specific challenges relating to your quality and standards arrangements, please email us.
