Our professional development programmes offer opportunities for you to extend your knowledge and skills and learn more about efficient and effective systems from QAA specialists. Each course provides a platform to actively engage as part of an online cohort, enabling you to discuss key issues, exchange ideas and share insights with other members.
There are professional development programmes for:
- those involved in managing academic quality and standards. The courses are designed for colleagues at different stages in their career with a selection of dates available throughout the year.
- those involved in managing and developing international partnerships. These form part of the International Insights enhancement package.
About our programmes
The Quality Lab
The Quality Lab is a series of workshops, offering a collaborative learning space to examine and develop practice through a quality lens. Each session is grounded in the principles of quality assurance and continuous enhancement.
They offer academic and professional services teams across the sector the opportunity to discuss, reflect, learn and innovate in support of high quality and positive outcomes for students.
Whilst the primary focus of a number of the workshops is from a UK perspective, international colleagues may find these of interest and are welcome to attend. There are also workshops specifically provided for international members.
- Step into Quality: This workshop focuses on quality and standards in the UK and is available to providers with full UK Membership. Colleagues from providers with Full International Membership are also welcome to attend.
- Step into Partnerships: This workshop focuses on UK provision and is available to colleagues with full UK Membership. Colleagues from providers with Full International Membership are also welcome to attend.
- International Insights: This series of workshops focuses on UK provision and is open to providers with International Insights Membership and Full International Membership.
- Step into International Quality Assurance: This series of workshops is tailored to meet the specific needs of international members. UK providers with full QAA Membership are also welcome to attend.
What is the commitment?
Participants must be available for the full duration of these two-hour workshops. There is no requirement for preparation for these workshops.
The Quality Academy
Advancing Knowledge. Enhancing Practice. Leading Quality.
The Quality Academy is your trusted home for professional development in quality assurance and enhancement across the higher and tertiary education sector. As the sector’s recognised quality experts, the Quality Academy responds to the growing need for consistent, confident, and informed quality practice at every level. Whether you are new to quality or leading institutional strategy, the Quality Academy supports your professional growth and practical impact.
At the heart of the academy are two core programmes:
- Introduction to Quality: designed for those new to quality roles or looking to build foundational knowledge and confidence in core quality assurance and enhancement principles.
- Quality in Practice: a deeper, practice-based programme for more experienced professionals seeking to enhance their leadership of quality across teams, processes, or institutions.
We encourage members to reflect on the programme content for each of the programmes introduced below to see where their most suitable starting point is, based on their current role and experience of working in quality assurance and enhancement.
The programme covers the key reference points for quality and standards such as the UK Quality Code for Higher Education, as well as different ways in which quality assurance and enhancement can be managed by a provider. for Higher Education, as well as different ways in which quality assurance and enhancement can be managed by a provider.
Who is this for?
This programme is suitable for academic and professional services staff who need to understand the role of quality in higher education. It relies on participants having some familiarity with their provider so we recommend applicants should have been within their role for at least three months before joining the programme. You may wish to join this programme after completing Step into Quality, but it is not a pre-requisite. This programme is for Full QAA Members in the UK.
The programme builds on foundational knowledge of quality management and reference points, reflecting on challenges and debates in delivering quality assurance and enhancement.
Who is this for?
This programme is intended to support professional services staff who are progressing at team leader/officer-level roles or academic staff taking on particular responsibility for the management of academic quality and standards (for example, programme leaders, department heads or learning and teaching quality leads). Quality in Practice offers suitable progression for those who have completed Introduction to Quality, but that step is not essential. This programme is for Full QAA Members in the UK.
What is the commitment?
Participants are expected to attend two live sessions and access a range of asynchronous activities during the programme such as pre-recorded presentations and reading programme materials.
Need some help? Contact us
If you are not sure which is the best course for you, or would like further information, please email the Membership Team who will be happy to help.