For two decades, QAA and our partners at home and overseas have worked to challenge bogus institutions and fake certificates. In recent years, with the support of ministers in the Department for Education, our attention has turned to another threat to academic integrity: third party essay writing services.

Value for money is high on the political and policy agenda for UK higher education. In this Viewpoint, we discuss QAA’s commitment to ensuring that all students receive value for money through high-quality academic experiences.

Following the result of the EU membership referendum in June, many questions have been asked about the sector's continuing relationship with Europe. In this QAA Viewpoint, we outline how being part of this network benefits UK institutions and why, whatever the outcome of Brexit negotiations, the UK should continue to support and be part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

In this QAA Viewpoint, we consider quality assurance cultures in higher education systems, and how their importance should be remembered, particularly as we enter the next phase of higher education regulation in the UK.

​In this Viewpoint, we consider accelerated degrees and look at providers' experiences in offering these. Although these degrees are nothing new, recent policy changes in England, and an upcoming government consultation that will explore ways of encouraging this, put the spotlight back on this type of provision.

​​In this QAA Viewpoint, we outline what has been learned from the different approaches to improving the performance of providers in relation to risk-based monitoring and capacity building.

In this QAA Viewpoint, we explore how well, and via what means, universities and employers work together to secure and improve their graduates' employability, as codified in a suite of QAA reference documents.

In this QAA Viewpoint, we discuss some of the major characteristics of doctoral research degrees, as set out in the UK Quality Code for Higher Education, and what contributes to a good academic experience for doctoral research students. We also identify areas for potential development in this area by institutions, based on recent QAA review findings.

Alternative providers are an important part of the higher education landscape, contributing to the diversity, choice and opportunities available. In this QAA Viewpoint, we discuss the themes and trends emerging from our reviews of alternative providers, and how quality assurance has had a significant positive impact in this area of higher education.

With the Government now considering responses to its Technical Consultation on how the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) will operate from year 2, this document highlights the key elements of the TEF policy and proposals that we believe should be carried forward.

​This document sets out QAA's position on the reform of degree awarding powers and university title in England, part of the reforms proposed within the draft Higher Education and Research Bill currently progressing through Parliament. It lays out the context to the proposals and the response from sector bodies, the existing process and QAA's role within it, and QAA's position on the reforms.

This document makes clear QAA's position on the issue of plagiarism in UK higher education, following recent media attention focused on issues involving so-called essay mills. It lays out responsibilities of universities and colleges in tackling plagiarism, QAA's own findings on the subject and also explores possible solutions the sector could undertake to tackle plagiarism.