Quality Enhancement Review (QER) is the method by which we review Welsh higher education providers as part of the Quality Assessment Framework for Wales. It provides a distinctive approach to institutional review, developed to address the particular context of the Welsh higher education sector. 

QER provides quality assurance and supports quality enhancement, assuring governing bodies, students and the wider public that providers meet the requirements of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. QER assesses providers against agreed baseline regulatory requirements and the European Standards and Guidelines.

QAA has published an addendum to accompany the Quality Enhancement Review (QER) Handbook following the announcement from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) on 15 February 2021, detailing the changes to external quality assurance review requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Circular W21/05HE). The scope of the QER will focus on quality assurance only and providers undergoing reviews in 2021-22 will have the opportunity to engage with QAA separately on quality enhancement.

The addendum applies to all QERs scheduled for 2021-22 and explains the adaptations to the method delivery. The addendum should be read in conjunction with the QER Handbook.

We are committed to treating the Welsh and English languages as equal and taking into account the requirements and expectations of Welsh Language Standards. For further information, see Annex 3 of the Handbook.