QAA publishes TQER report for the University of Strathclyde

QAA has published the report of its Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER) of the University of Strathclyde.

TQER is the method by which QAA reviews Scottish tertiary education providers as part of Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework.

Founded in 1796 as ‘A Place of Useful Learning’, the University of Strathclyde's main campus is located in central Glasgow, in the Glasgow Innovation District. It has full degree-awarding powers and offers programmes from Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Levels 7 to 12. Outside its degree-awarding powers, it also runs two 20-credit 'Breaking Barriers' programmes at SCQF Level 6. In September 2024, it opened a branch campus in Bahrain.

The University of Strathclyde's review visits took place on 22-23 October and 1-4 December 2025. The review was conducted by a team of five independent reviewers, including a student reviewer.

The TQER team makes a judgement as to whether an institution meets sector expectations in managing academic standards, enhancing the quality of the learning experience and enabling student success, and has the quality assurance and enhancement arrangements in place to enable this to continue into the future. 

The team judged that the University of Strathclyde is effective in managing academic standards, enhancing the quality of the learning experience and enabling student success. 

The review report listed four areas of good practice and five recommendations for action.

The TQER team identified the following features of good practice:

• The University’s approach to engagement with employers, industry and public sector organisations through curriculum development, research collaborations, teaching, placements/internships and work-related learning experiences for students that leads to work-ready graduates.
• The impactful, inclusive and entrepreneurial culture supported by the personal and professional development of academic and professional services staff, which supports a strong sense of community.
• The student- and staff-centred culture of care, which supports wellbeing, inclusivity and individual success.
• The student voice is heard and valued throughout the University, and across diverse student groups, which leads to timely action and meaningful change.

The TQER team made the following recommendations for action:

• The University should put in place, as a matter of priority during academic year 2025-26, a process for the periodic review of professional services that is fully aligned with the Scottish Funding Council’s guidance for Institution Led Quality Review to prevent any risks to the management of standards and to the quality of the student experience.
• The University should ensure and monitor institution-wide compliance with its assessment and feedback policy, as it relates to the timeliness of assessment feedback.
• The University should review its institutional oversight of the postgraduate research (PGR) student experience, including the role of the Strathclyde Doctoral School, to realise the ambition of achieving consistency of student experience and community for PGR students.
• The University should establish a clear and consistent institutional approach to pastoral, personal development and academic advising for students.
• The University should consider the appropriateness of the 'managed difference' approach in implementation of policy and approaches across faculties and take action where discrepancies may lead to inconsistency in, or pose a risk to, academic standards and the quality of the student experience.

Professor Stephen McArthur FRSE FIEEE FIET, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said:

'We welcome the rigorous TQER peer review process and the external assessment through which our commitment to the delivery of an outstanding education and student experience has been recognised, with the highest judgement for our approach to managing academic standards, enhancing the quality of the learning experience and enabling student success.

'As A Place of Useful Learning, we are delighted to see Strathclyde’s strengths and deep commitment to engagement with employers, industry and public sector organisations formally recognised through this process.

'This recognition is a very positive reflection of the hard work of the whole University community, staff and students alike, in supporting an inclusive and entrepreneurial culture that is underpinned by a strong sense of community and a commitment to achieving success for all our students.'