NMC Quality Assurance Framework
The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Quality Assurance Framework is designed to give the NMC the confidence that Approved Education Institutions (AEIs) and new Education Institutions (EI) are meeting their standards for education and training. The Framework emphasises the importance of education and training underpinned by effective partnerships.
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Compliance with the ESG
The Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) provide the framework for internal and external quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area. QAA’s review methods are compliant with these standards, as are the reports we publish. More information is available on our website.
QAA Guidance
QAA has produced guidance for AEIs and EIs on the method that will be used during the assessment process for institution and programme approvals, major modifications and endorsements.
The guidance provides institutions with the information they need to understand how the process works and the activities that will take place as part of the review method. It is intended mainly for those directly involved in nursing, midwifery and nursing associate education, including post-registration and return to practice programmes.
Due to the partnership approach, and the practice learning requirements reflected in the NMC standards, this guidance may also be of interest to practice learning partners to support understanding of the process of NMC Quality Assurance Reviews that institutions will follow.
Institutional Approval Programme Approval and Endorsement Handbook
Publication date: 18 May 2026
This handbook is produced for EIs and AEIs. It sets out the review method used by QAA for institutions seeking NMC approval for: institutional approval (AEI status); new programme approval or programme endorsement. It provides institutions, their practice learning partners and/or employer partners with the information needed to understand how the approval process will be conducted and the activities involved for each type of approval. As such, it forms the terms of reference for what is expected from the institution and from QAA during the process.
Handbook for Major Modifications
Publication date: 18 May 2026
This handbook sets out the methods used by QAA for Approved Education Institutions (AEIs) seeking to modify NMC-approved programmes. It provides AEIs with the information needed to understand how the major modification process is conducted and the activities involved. As such, it forms the terms of reference, outlining what is expected from the institution and from QAA during the process. Due to the partnership approach and the practice learning requirements within NMC standards, this handbook may also be of interest to partners, helping them understand the process AEIs will follow.
NMC Calendar
Publication date: 18 May 2026
When submitting a request for a major modification, AEIs should ensure that this is planned with sufficient time ahead of their scheduled start date; QA Link requests submitted are considered within the specified scheduling window outlined in QAA scheduling calendar / Guiding Principles. All QA Link requests for major modifications will be screened by QAA and allocated to one of three major modification methods:
- major modification quality assurance visit (this may be in-person or online);
- major modification engagement event;
- major modification panel.
NMC Quality Assurance Reviews: Analysis of Stakeholder Feedback Responses and Decisions
Publication date: 12 Sep 2024
In September 2024, we held stakeholder feedback events to introduce information from the QAA Guidance and provided an opportunity for consultation on the original method design. There were 161 participants across the sessions. The following document provides an analysis of responses and decisions.
Compliance with European Standards and Guidelines
QAA’s work and review methods are informed by the fundamental values of the European Higher Education Area and Bologna Process. This means a commitment to the fundamental values of institutional autonomy; academic freedom and integrity; participation of students and staff in higher education governance; and public responsibility for and of higher education. Our approach and methods are designed to meet the standards and reflect the guidelines set out in the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).
The NMC Quality Assurance Reviews process addresses the requirements of Part 1 of the ESG on either a programme or institutional level. The mapping document below is provided for reference to demonstrate how the review method meets ESG standards.
Mapping of the ESG Standards Part 1
Publication date: 12 Sep 2024
Contact us
If you have any questions, or require further information, you can contact QAA’s NMC team by email.
Email us: nmc@qaa.ac.uk