The Scottish Quality Enhancement Arrangements that have succeeded QAA Scotland’s previous external review method (Enhancement-led Institutional Review) will be delivered in two phases.

Following sector consultation in AY2021-22, Phase 1, which comprises the Quality Enhancement and Standards Review (QESR) and Institutional Liaison Meetings (ILM), have been delivered from 2022-24.

In 2023, QAA Scotland received the commission from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to develop and deliver an enhancement-led external peer review method for Scotland’s colleges and universities. QAA Scotland’s proposed Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER) is a peer-led, enhancement-focused approach to review. It contains the flexibility to support different institutional contexts, modes of delivery and levels of learning. Taken together with the wider Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF), TQER is intended to support assurance and enhancement of academic standards and the quality of student learning experience in colleges and universities.

Led by QAA Scotland, TQER has been co-created with staff, students, stakeholders and quality agencies from across the tertiary sector over AY2023-24. Extensive work has been carried out with colleges, universities and students to design and develop the proposed review method. TQER takes account of and builds upon the strengths and good practice across previous quality arrangements for both the Scottish college and university sectors, delivering robust quality assurance and enhancement arrangements for a tertiary context.