International Quality Review uses the 10 standards set out in Part 1 of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (European Standards and Guidelines; ESG) published by ENQA.
During the review, the team considers how and whether an institution meets each of the 10 standards.
Institutions should have a policy for quality assurance that is made public and forms part of their strategic management. Internal stakeholders should develop and implement this policy through appropriate structures and processes, while involving external stakeholders.
Institutions should have processes for the design and approval of their programmes. The programmes should be designed so that they meet the objectives set for them, including the intended learning outcomes. The qualification resulting from a programme should be clearly specified and communicated, and refer to the correct level of the national qualifications framework for higher education and, consequently, to the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area.
Institutions should ensure that the programmes are delivered in a way that encourages students to take an active role in creating the learning process, and that the assessment of students reflects this approach.
Institutions should consistently apply pre-defined and published regulations covering all phases of the student “life cycle”, e.g. student admission, progression, recognition and certification.
Institutions should assure themselves of the competence of their teachers. They should apply fair and transparent processes for the recruitment and development of the staff.
Institutions should have appropriate funding for learning and teaching activities and ensure that adequate and readily accessible learning resources and student support are provided.
Institutions should ensure that they collect, analyse and use relevant information for the effective management of their programmes and other activities.
Institutions should publish information about their activities, including programmes, which is clear, accurate, objective, up-to date and readily accessible.
Institutions should monitor and periodically review their programmes to ensure that they achieve the objectives set for them and respond to the needs of students and society. These reviews should lead to continuous improvement of the programme. Any action planned or taken as a result should be communicated to all those concerned.
Institutions should undergo external quality assurance in line with the ESG on a cyclical basis.
To find out more about the ESG, visit the ENQA website.