Arts University Bournemouth completes Elective Quality Review

Arts University Bournemouth has successfully completed its Elective Quality Review (EQR).

Arts University Bournemouth is a specialist institution that delivers higher education in art, design, media, and performance at all levels, including undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research degrees. Undergraduates make up 82 per cent of the student population, with a further nine per cent enrolled on taught postgraduate courses and the remainder on research degrees or on Foundation programmes. A total student population of just under 4,000 is based on a single campus in Wallisdown, Bournemouth.

Elective Quality Review offers institutions the opportunity to be reviewed by the UK's Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. The review benchmarks institutions' quality assurance processes against international quality assurance standards set out in Part 1 of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

Arts University Bournemouth's review visit took place on 22-25 April 2025. The review was conducted by a team of three independent reviewers, supported by a QAA officer.

The team concluded that Arts University Bournemouth meets the requirements of the European Standards & Guidelines (ESG) Part 1 for internal quality assurance.

The review report identified seven areas of good practice and made four recommendations.

The report commended Arts University Bournemouth for:

• the systematic use of feedback from its quality assurance framework, together with the willingness and engagement of Industry Patrons and partners, that enhances and develops opportunities for students;
• the involvement and embedding of student support services throughout induction which provides an enhanced experience for new students;
• the collaborative effort of all stakeholders across the university in the design and delivery of offer holder days that provide potential students with a holistic view of the opportunities and support open to them;
• the opportunities and support provided to new members of academic staff, particularly the newly established HEA fellowship programme that facilitates the speedy development of skills and knowledge;
• the annual verification exercise that enables staff at AUB to calibrate their approach to student assessment and feedback;
• the use of the Learning, Teaching and Assessment Framework, for its systematic approach, clear articulation of pedagogical principles and collaborative development process, and its subsequent employment in a university-wide approach to the review of the taught portfolio that has resulted in a renewed, congruent and coherent set of courses;
• the opportunities provided to students through the Industry Patrons scheme for professional development and authentic learning, and to gain clarity on professional expectations, together with helping students to develop the insight, confidence and adaptability needed to navigate the complexities of the creative sector.

The report recommended that Arts University Bournemouth further develop policies and procedures for the partnership between Arts University Bournemouth and AUB Students' Union, review methods of communication with students, and build upon the learning, outcomes and successes of its 'Your Voice Your Curriculum' participatory research project. It also recommended that, while evidence suggests that the quality of feedback at the institution is well-embedded and effective, Arts University Bournemouth extend ongoing monitoring and dialogue with students to identify and address where there may be individual issues.

Lisa Mann, Vice-Chancellor of Arts University Bournemouth, said: "AUB is delighted to have secured this excellent outcome in the QAA EQR process; it reflects the University's commitment to high quality creative arts education. I'm incredibly grateful to all the staff and externals who were involved in the review process, and thankful to the QAA panel for their diligence in reviewing our practice and taking the time to visit our campus and understand our values. The University is very proud of this achievement and looks forward to building on the positive outcome in the coming years."

QAA's Director of Contract Services Jennifer Taylor added: "We would like to congratulate our colleagues at Arts University Bournemouth on their successful completion of the EQR process and its demonstration of their alignment with these international quality assurance standards – and to thank staff and students at Arts University Bournemouth for their positive engagement with this review."