Welcome to our blog, where guest authors and QAA specialists discuss issues which really matter for our sector, in the UK and around the world.
Latest blogs
My experience of transitioning to university
Get Ahead Transition Programme Project Officer
Queen Mary University of London
25/05/2023
The rise of entrepreneurship and innovation in HE: A case study of the 'With Proficiency in Entrepreneurship' pathway at the University of Exeter
Director, ‘With Proficiency in Entrepreneurship’ Pathway; Deputy Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship
University of Exeter
16/05/2023
Mature students: Managing your university offers
Senior Fair Access Adviser
UCAS
20/04/2023
Student Intrapreneur and Entrepreneur Toolkit and community of practice
Professor & National Teaching Fellow
Liverpool John Moores University
12/04/2023
Creating a sense of belonging: Our guidance for supporting international students
Director of International and Professional Services
QAA
06/04/2023
Launching QAA's new strategy
Chief Executive, QAA
05/04/2023
‘Should I stay, or should I go?’ Deciding to pursue an academic or non-academic career path post-study
Lecturer in Economics, University of East Anglia
27/03/2023
What is optionality in assessment?
21/03/2023
The Retention Rubik’s cube
Director of Academic Innovation and Quality
Falmouth University
09/03/2023
A community-based approach to advancing thinking and practice in student engagement: Some reflections
Professor of Learning and Teaching, Teesside University
06/03/2023
Introducing The Careers Group’s QAA-funded Collaborative Enhancement Project
Director of The Careers Group, University of London
10/02/2023
Moving Beyond Measurement: Enhancing Learning and Teaching Quality Through Collaborative Observation
Professor of Education, Director of CSPACE research centre, Faculty of Health, Education & Life Sciences
Birmingham City University
08/02/2023
Previous blogs
Staff-student partnership working - exploring how staff are supported
Professor Susan Smith, Professor (Education), School of Management, University College London
06/02/2023
Partners in quality: Working together to support UK-UAE higher education collaboration
CEO of Strategy and Planning
Knowledge and Human Development Authority
06/12/2022
Designing, measuring and supporting success for PGRs from diverse backgrounds
PGR Project Consultation Officer
University of Leeds
01/12/2022
Modular learning by design and not by default
Head of Academic Portfolio Development
Bath Spa University
10/11/2022
Reading Classics online: Staff and student perspectives
University of Lincoln
07/11/2022
The independence imperative: 25 years of qaa
Chair of the QAA board
03/11/2022
Student transitions to higher education: Partnership working
Head of Policy
London Higher
03/11/2022
QAA at 25: Perspectives on quality in Osteopathy
Policy Manager
General Osteopathic Council
11/10/2022
Embedding Mental Wellbeing
De Montfort University (Project Lead)
10/10/2022
Quality enhancement through collaboration, trust and empowerment (a celebration of the Scottish approach)
Professor Catriona Bell, Director of Learning Enhancement & Academic Development
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
28/09/2022
‘What even is a seminar?!’ Reflections on the hidden curriculum of higher education
Lecturer in Psychology
University of Leeds
12/09/2022
Embedding Inclusive Assessment
Teesside University (Project Lead)
02/09/2022
Defining what we mean by ‘quality’ education
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education
Newcastle University
30/08/2022
Active Online Reading – findings and recommendations
Professor of History and Education
University of Lincoln
27/07/2022
Embedding Education for Sustainable Development
Senior Lecturer, School of Geography & Sustainable Development
University of St Andrews
12/07/2022
Using data to identify risks and evidence outcomes: Key points from QAA's Specialist and Independent Provider Network
Academic Engagement Manager
QAA
30/06/2022
College HE Policy and Practice Network: key reflections
Academic Engagement Manager
QAA
28/06/2022
Reclaiming student engagement: The first year of a collaborative approach from Wales
Head of Quality Enhancement
Bangor University
01/06/2022
Students at the heart of quality
Education Officer
Queens’ University Belfast Students’ Union
19/05/2022
Designing programmes for learning: Foundations and aspirations
Associate Director of Education
University of Nottingham
09/05/2022
HEFCW HEIR: Collaborative Programmes Wales Project - Guidance Resource Pack
Bangor University
29/04/2022
Supporting inclusivity and accessibility in the QAA Subject Benchmark Statements
Quality and Standards Manager
QAA
27/04/2022
College-based higher education - a unique place for students
Jane Nickisson, Head of Higher Education, Salford City College
22/04/2022
Higher education to empower #GenerationRestoration
Head of Eden Project Learning
Cornwall College Group
22/04/2022
'Campus Plus' - An institutional model for success after Covid
Assistant Vice-Chancellor
University of Bolton
12/04/2022
Micro-credentials: Stackability and portability
Lead Quality Manager
QAA
29/03/2022
Adaptations to enhance the Access to HE student experience: Reflections from QAA’s National Standardisation Event
Access Officer
QAA
18/02/2022
Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol's Welsh Medium Digital Learning Materials Project
Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol
06/12/2021
Looking back at the QAA Northern Ireland Conference: Contemporary issues in higher education
Quality Assurance Manager
South West College
06/12/2021
Enhancing Welsh language employability skills and overcoming learner underconfidence
Sian Harris, Senior Lecturer Welsh Employability
University of South Wales
06/12/2021
Supporting the transition of disabled students to higher education through peer-led ambassador schemes
STAART Manager
University of Greenwich
03/12/2021
Micro-credentials as an Enabler of Sustainability
Kate Mori, Quality and Standards Specialist
QAA
24/11/2021
The impact of the pandemic on higher education – a Canadian perspective on digital learning
Research Director
Canadian Digital Learning Research Association (CDLRA)
19/11/2021
How can we accommodate the needs of mature students when we contemplate post-pandemic recovery in higher education?
Executive Director
Black FE Leadership Group
16/11/2021
Climate, Environment and Sustainability: The Importance of Universities in Addressing the Climate Crisis
Professor Jim Longhurst, Professor of Environmental Science and Assistant Vice Chancellor: Environment & Sustainability, UWE Bristol
09/11/2021
The Future of Blended Learning: A Student Perspective
Shawn Shabu, Swansea University Student - Applied Medical Sciences BSc (Hons)
28/10/2021
Reflecting on 20 years at QAA - A tribute to Douglas Blackstock
Registrar
University of Nottingham
28/10/2021
Why ‘going beyond the metrics’ matters even more as we ‘build back better’
Professor Fiona Smart (Edinburgh Napier University)
13/10/2021
Innovating assessment to motivate Access to HE students
Adam Beral, Head of Curriculum for Health, Education and Science
Morley College
05/10/2021
Sustaining and Enhancing digital Learning Pan-Wales
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Education
Wrexham Glyndŵr University
29/09/2021
Subject confidence among bioscience students
Dr Harriet Jones, University of East Anglia
Professor Jon Scott, University of Leicester
23/09/2021
Putting the Emphasis on Enhancement: The Welsh Approach to Quality
Executive Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive
QAA
15/09/2021
Tackling contract cheating at the root – where next in the battle against essay mills?
Head of Policy and Communications
QAA
13/09/2021
QAA Evolving Student Engagement Conference blog - Where do we go next? Lessons from a decade of student engagement
Head of Academic Policy and Quality Assurance
University College London
31/08/2021
QAA Evolving Student Engagement Conference blog: Driving change for inclusivity with students as partners
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Teaching and Learning
London Metropolitan University
31/08/2021
Reflections for the future: Taking forward learning from the global pandemic
Lecturer in Medical Education
University of East Anglia
18/08/2021
Supporting students’ transition to university during COVID-19
University of Leeds
15/07/2021
QAA Membership - A specific place for college higher education
Quality Manager
QAA
01/07/2021
Women in Engineering
Former Access to HE Diploma in Engineering student
23/06/2021
Net Zero Skills by 2030?
Vice-Chancellor
University of Northampton
10/06/2021
Life in ‘pandemia’: UK university staff perspectives on work during COVID-19
Centre for Higher Education Transformations, University of Bristol
and School of Education, Swansea University
26/05/2021
What happens next? Student arrival in higher education in 2021
Senior Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences
University of East Anglia
20/05/2021
Supporting student transitions - preparing for university during a pandemic
Outreach Officer
University of East Anglia
20/05/2021
Access to HE Conference Blog - Growth Opportunities for Gender Diversity in the Graduate Labour Market
Director - Higher Education
Emsi
10/05/2021
QAA Annual Conference Blog - Rethinking authentic assessment in a post-COVID world: Is it right to hope for change?
Senior Lecturer
Lancaster University
07/05/2021
QAA Annual Conference Blog - Engaging Students in Academic Integrity
Gráinne Mooney, Communications Manager, Quality and Qualifications Ireland
Kevin McStravock, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Union of Students in Ireland
29/04/2021
Students’ Questions about Quality and Value in COVID times
Current Vice President for the National Union of Students and QAA Board Member
14/04/2021
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Keith Fletcher Memorial Access to HE prizes
PR, Media & Communications Officer
QAA
12/04/2021
Student transitions to higher education - the impact of changes to the school experience of A Level biological science students
Higher Education Consultant and Emeritus Professor of Bioscience Education
30/03/2021
Celebrating Colleges as a Vehicle for Progress
CEO of WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group) and QAA Board Member
17/03/2021
The year ahead…
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Deputy Principal), Learning and Teaching
Heriot-Watt University
15/03/2021
QAA in Ukraine: What our International Work means for UK Higher Education and our Members
Quality Specialist
QAA
03/03/2021
Learning from the remote pivot - approaches to aligning learning outcomes to assessment for student success
Professor Elizabeth Cleaver, Independent HE Consultant
and Professor Mike McLinden, University of Birmingham
18/02/2021
Access to HE changed my life! From 12 years in the military to studying Medicine at university
Current Access to HE student
05/02/2021
My journey from Access to HE to becoming the UK's youngest MP
Member of Parliament
18/01/2021
Reviewing funding for Level 3 qualifications in England: Opening doors in adult education
PR, Press and Communications Officer
QAA
18/12/2020
A student's perspective of 2020
Current Vice-President Education for Heriot-Watt University Student Union and Enhancement Theme Student Lead
17/12/2020
QAA welcomes proposals for new Wales higher education Commission
Lead Policy Officer for Nations and Europe
QAA
04/12/2020
QAA's latest engagement with European higher education
Director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with additional responsibility for engagement with Europe
QAA
19/11/2020
The Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) and COVID-19: First Experiences and Lessons Learned
Chair of the NVAO Management Team
Director of the NVAO Department the Netherlands
06/11/2020
The Impact of COVID-19 Modifications to Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Irish Further Education and Training and Higher Education
Head of the Policy, Research and Statistics Unit and Head of the Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Division
Quality and Qualifications Ireland
20/10/2020
UK Transnational Education: Central to the UK’s International Strategy
Director of International & Professional Services
QAA
19/10/2020
A local, resilient and agile mechanism to deliver more flexible education
Vice-Chancellor
Bath Spa University
29/09/2020
Blog series - The lasting effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Conversations with sector leaders
Chair of the QAA Board
22/07/2020 - 23/09/2020
From within the UK to across Europe, quality assurance in higher education must be flexible and diverse
Director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
QAA
18/09/2020
Access to HE helped prepare us for healthcare routes during the pandemic
Policy and Public Affairs Officer
QAA
16/09/2020
Data-Led Quality Assurance and Enhancement: Introducing our New Research Project
Quality & Standards Specialist
QAA
11/09/2020
Specialist providers’ response to COVID-19: Reflections from the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
Deputy Registrar, Quality and Student Engagement
ICMP - The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
12/08/2020
What have PSRBs done in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Quality and Standards Manager, Membership
QAA
23/07/2020
Managing Adversity through Partnership: Representing Students in Quality through a time of Rapid Change
President 2018-20, University of Bath Students' Union and QAA Student Board Member
20/07/2020
Creating a hostile environment: How to combat essay mills
Head of Policy and Communications
QAA
08/07/2020
What is a lecture? and other mysteries
Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic and Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic
De Montfort University
01/07/2020
Learning from disruption – exploring what counts in higher education
Head of Quality and Enhancement
QAA Scotland
24/06/2020
Credit where it is due: how can England's credit framework recognise micro-credits?
Vice-Chancellor, Bath Spa University
QAA Board Member
19/06/2020
The University of Bolton on opening its campuses and protecting quality and standards
Assistant Vice-Chancellor
University of Bolton
08/06/2020
For disabled students, quality education during COVID-19 is about basic access
Vice President (Academic Representation)
Edge Hill Students’ Union
04/06/2020
Students as partners – challenges facing students’ unions throughout COVID-19
Quality Enhancement Specialists
QAA Scotland and QAA Wales
29/05/2020
Academic Integrity in Canada during COVID-19: Reflections from the University of Calgary
Assistant Professor and Educational Leader in Residence
University of Calgary, Canada
28/04/2020
After COVID-19: the University of Nottingham Ningbo Experience
Dean of the Faculty of Business
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
27/05/2020
COVID-19: What next for higher education?
Executive Director of Operations (Deputy CEO)
QAA
24/04/2020
TNE in Malaysia and the challenge ahead for UK TNE providers
Accreditation and International Services Delivery Officer
QAA
21/04/2020
Doing the Right Thing: Securing Standards in Challenging Times
Chief Executive
QAA
01/04/2020
Innovative steps in tackling contract cheating at the University of Northampton
Reader in Data Analysis and University Lead on Contract-Cheating
University of Northampton
18/03/2020
Delivering more GPs with Access to HE
Access to HE Manager
QAA
13/03/2020
A new decade as a new QAA
Chief Executive
QAA
20/01/2020
Working in partnership with students to transform academic tutoring
University of Reading
15/08/2019
QAA is changing, here's why
Chief Executive
QAA
10/07/2019
Only connect: The value of International engagement for UK HE
International Manager
QAA
17/06/2019
Determination and pride: 40 years of Access to HE
Access to HE Manager
QAA
14/05/2019
Bringing Students to the Table
Co-Chair, Student Strategic Advisory Committee
QAA
30/04/2019
Postcard from our latest PSRB Forum
Head of Universities & Standards
QAA
24/04/2019
Halfway up the stairs: A progress report on the current Enhancement Theme in Scotland
Head of Quality and Enhancement
QAA Scotland
16/04/2019
What we mean when we talk about quality assurance of 'UK HE'
Policy Officer
QAA
09/04/2019
Combatting essay mills and academic misconduct
Head of Policy Public Affairs
QAA
02/04/2019