The Future of Tertiary Education in Wales
Publication date: 09 Nov 2026
QAA works to influence and support policy development across UK higher education. We provide expert insight, evidence and analysis to inform decision-making, and engage with policymakers, universities and colleges, students and learners on the issues shaping the sector's future. Explore our consultation responses, reports and policy briefings by topic below.
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Regulation and funding
Regulatory and funding arrangements for higher education are evolving across the UK. QAA contributes its quality assurance expertise to these debates, drawing on our work in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Explore our consultation responses, reports and policy briefings on regulation, funding and quality.
Recent Regulation and funding developments
QAA response to the Welsh Government’s Future of Tertiary Education in Wales consultation
Dyfodol Addysg Drydyddol yng Nghymru
Publication date: 30 Mar 2026
QAA response to draft European Higher Education Area (ESG) consultation
QAA response to draft ESG 2027 consultation
Publication date: 22 Jan 2026
QAA response to Office for Students consultation on the future approach to quality regulation
OfS IQM consultation
Publication date: 27 Jan 2026
QAA response to Medr regulatory framework consultation
QAA response to Medr regulatory framework consultation
Publication date: 09 Jan 2026
QAA yn cyhoeddi ymateb i ymgynghoriad Medr
Publication date: 09 Jan 2026
Previous reports and publications
QAA response to Welsh Government consultation on the registration of Higher Education providers in Wales
These documents outline QAA’s response to proposals for higher education registration in Wales, supporting clearer regulation and quality oversight to protect academic standards and the student experience.
QAA response to Medr regulatory framework consultation
Publication date: 31 Jul 2025
QAA Response to Welsh Government Consultation on the Registration of Higher Education Providers in Wales
Publication date: 31 Jul 2025
Ymgynghoriad ar system reoleiddio newydd gan gynnwys amodau ar gyfer cofrestru a chyllido
Publication date: 31 Jul 2025
Ymateb yr Asiantaeth Sicrhau Ansawdd i Ymgynghoriad Llywodraeth Cymru ar Gofrestru Darparwyr Addysg Uwch yng Nghymru
Publication date: 31 Jul 2025
QAA response to the Medr apprenticeships consultation
QAA Response to Medr Apprenticeship Consultations
Publication date: 05 Nov 2025
QAA yn ymateb i ymgynghoriad prentisiaethau Medr
Publication date: 05 Nov 2025
Office for Students strategy consultation response
This document details QAA's response to the Office for Students' consultation on its new strategy for 2025 to 2030, including its proposals for an integrated quality model and a quality risk register.
Office for Students strategy consultation response
Publication date: 23 Feb 2025
Higher education funding and quality
This paper examines the relationship between quality and the current English higher education funding landscape in the context of ongoing inflationary pressures.
The missing link: Higher education funding and quality
Publication date: 20 Mar 2024
Realigning the UK higher education system
This paper argues that the English quality system can maintain internationally agreed and UK-wide principles of quality while still operating a risk-based quality approach.
Realigning the UK higher education system: Learning from the devolved nations
Publication date: 16 Nov 2023
Instilling international trust in English higher education
This policy paper considers how international trust in English higher education benefits the sector and what can be done to preserve and reinforce it.
Instilling international trust in English higher education - a quality perspective
Publication date: 07 Nov 2023
An English quality system fit for the future
This report looks at how to strengthen the system that oversees quality in English higher education to ensure it is fit for the future.
An English higher education quality system fit for the future - policy briefing
Publication date: 19 Sep 2023
Definition of quality
This short document is designed to help policymakers and other stakeholders understand what is meant by ‘quality’ in UK higher education.
Definition of quality
Publication date: 11 Sep 2023
Quality degree apprenticeships in England
This report considers provider, employer and apprentice expectations of quality, and how the system in England can better facilitate high-quality degree apprenticeships commensurate with the political ambitions held of them.
Degrees of difference: Delivering on the ambition of quality degree apprenticeships in England
Publication date: 26 Mar 2024
Credit and lifelong learning
QAA supports flexible approaches to learning and qualifications that recognise learning and achievement throughout people's lives. Explore our research and policy work on credit transfer and lifelong learning, including the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, and how these approaches support progression across higher education.
Making lifelong learning work: Across all four UK nations
Co-authored with the Lifelong Education Institute, this report compares England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland's approaches to lifelong learning side by side. It examines the funding, quality and access differences shaping each nation's response, and where greater coordination between them could help.
Drawing on a UK-wide stakeholder survey, QAA's regulatory data and interviews with senior sector figures across all four nations, this report sets out how the four nations are approaching lifelong learning, and what each can learn from the others. It finds that only 4 of 47 survey respondents felt their organisation was ready for the Lifelong Learning Entitlement and argues that the priority across the UK is coordination between the four systems, not a single shared model.
Cross-nation lifelong learning report
Publication date: 30 Sep 2026
Achieving credit transfer at scale: Do we want it, and how might we achieve it?
Building on our previous research which charted the current state of play on credit transfer across the UK, this new study examines why it is that way and what might be done to instigate change.
Achieving credit transfer at scale: Do we want it, and how might we achieve it?
Publication date: 28 Mar 2025
Achieving credit transfer at scale: Sector reflections on potential reforms
QAA and the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning’s (UALL) SEEC network hosted a discussion about the QAA research on credit transfer and the reforms it proposed. This document summarises the views expressed by those involved in the discussion.
Achieving credit transfer at scale: Sector reflections on potential reforms
Publication date: 05 Aug 2025
Analysis of UK university credit transfer policies
This comprehensive review of credit transfer policies across UK higher education institutions includes analysis of the barriers present in the current system and recommendations for both providers and policymakers to address them.
Achieving credit transfer at scale: An analysis of UK university policies
Publication date: 10 Sep 2024
How the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) can deliver a high-quality learning experience
This paper sets out what changes can be made to realise the Lifelong Learning Entitlement's potential and deliver the vision of a widespread, skills rich, lifelong learning system.
The right ambition, the wrong solution? How the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) can deliver a high-quality learning experience
Publication date: 15 Nov 2023
Teaching Excellence Framework
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is the Office for Students' scheme for assessing excellence in teaching, learning and student outcomes in England. Explore QAA's analysis of TEF 2023 submissions and outcomes, what they tell us about excellent practice, and our related blogs and podcast.
Evaluating Excellence: TEF 2023 Submission and Panel Statement Analysis
This report presents a comprehensive qualitative analysis of provider submissions and panel statements, broken down by features of excellence. It is designed to demonstrate the extent of work happening within the sector, extracting key themes and areas of learning from what has been recognised as outstanding practice, to support the sector in preparing for the next iteration of the TEF and also the broader enhancement of their provision.
Evaluating Excellence: TEF 2023 Submission and Panel Statement Analysis
Publication date: 01 May 2024
Related blog
QAA's Helena Vine discusses how the TEF can debunk the biggest myths about higher education.
Quantitative Analysis of TEF 2023 Outcomes Relative to Dataset Evidence
This analysis by Professor Claire Pike from Anglia Ruskin University looks at the extent to which evidence submitted in narrative submissions appears to have a material, potentially transformational, effect upon provider outcomes - and whether these effects (positive or negative) were equally distributed among provider types and geographies.
Quantitative Analysis of TEF 2023 Outcomes Relative to Dataset Evidence
Publication date: 17 Jun 2024
Related blog
Professor Claire Pike from Anglia Ruskin University discusses the persuasive power of TEF 2023 submissions from a quantitative analysis of provider outcomes.
Franchising and partnerships
Franchising and partnership arrangements can widen access to higher education, but they need robust oversight to protect academic standards and the student experience. Explore our consultation responses, our analysis of QAA reviews and our guidance on managing risk in collaborative provision.
Analysis of lessons learned about collaborative provision from QAA reviews
This report examines areas of good practice and offers recommendations for improvement relating to collaborative provision. It analyses lessons learned from QAA reviews, focusing on three key themes: robust oversight, constructive relationships and a coherent student experience.
What can QAA reviews tell us about what works in collaborative provision in the UK?
Publication date: 23 Sep 2026
QAA response to the Office for Students' consultation on subcontractual arrangements
This document outlines QAA’s response to proposals from the Office for Students, which seek to address concerns about subcontractual provision and set out clearer expectations for providers.
OFS subcontracting consultation - QAA response
Publication date: 02 Oct 2025
QAA response to the Department for Education’s consultation on franchising in higher education
This document details QAA's response to the Department for Education’s consultation on franchising in higher education.
QAA response to the Department for Education’s consultation on franchising in higher education
Publication date: 09 Apr 2025
Quality Compass: Quality for all - How to stay ahead of risks in franchise provision
This edition of Quality Compass looks at how franchised provision can extend the reach of the educational offer and enhance the student experience. It explores how organisations can consider issues of strategic direction, due diligence and contractual arrangements in the establishment of franchise provision, and offers advice on academic standards, governance, quality assurance and regulatory compliance, as well as communication, liaison and link tutor mechanisms. It also examines strategies to recognise and mitigate risks, including through the early identification of issues, attendance monitoring and ensuring academic integrity - and actions that can be taken if things don't go quite as well as had been hoped.
Quality Compass: Quality for all - How to stay ahead of risks in franchise provision
Publication date: 09 Jul 2024
Artificial intelligence
Generative artificial intelligence brings new opportunities and challenges for higher education, especially in assessment. Explore our work on using AI responsibly while maintaining academic standards, and visit our Generative AI hub for our full range of resources.
Quality Compass: Navigating the complexities of the artificial intelligence era in higher education
This edition of Quality Compass considers implications of Generative Artificial Intelligence for the UK higher education sector, where the challenges lie and how they might be addressed. Reflections from a range of colleagues highlight the opportunities presented by Generative Artificial Intelligence and how it could be harnessed to help address some of HE’s stubborn issues.
Quality Compass: Navigating the complexities of the artificial intelligence era in higher education
Publication date: 20 Feb 2024
Access to Higher Education
Fair access to higher education depends on clear, well-supported routes in for learners from every background, including adults returning to study. QAA contributes evidence and expertise on widening participation and on the role of the Access to HE Diploma. Explore our consultation responses and submissions on access, further education and skills.
QAA's response to the Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland's review of approach to Widening Participation in Higher Education
This document sets out QAA’s submission to the Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland, in response to its public consultation on the review of the Approach to Widening Participation in Higher Education.
QAA response to Review of Approach to Widening Participation consultation
Publication date: 29 Apr 2026
QAA submission to the Education Select Committee inquiry on further education and skills
This document details QAA's submission to the Education Select Committee inquiry on further education and skills.
QAA submission to the Education Select Committee inquiry on further education and skills
Publication date: 14 May 2025