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Browse the latest review reports for Scottish tertiary institutions.
We are a sector-leading quality agency with unmatched experience of providing impartial regulatory and collaborative quality assurance and enhancement in Scotland. We work in partnership with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), other sector quality agencies, students, and Scotland’s colleges and universities to ensure that learners experience the highest quality of education.
QAA was delighted to have been commissioned by SFC to lead key areas of Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Project (TQP). The TQP involved the development and delivery of the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework, which articulates a common approach to assuring and enhancing quality in Scotland’s tertiary sector.
Our activity in 2025-26
Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP)
QAA will continue to partner with College Development Network (CDN) to deliver Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP), the national enhancement programme of activity for Scotland’s colleges and universities. The focus of the second year of ‘Supporting diverse Learner Journeys’ will be on implementing the collaborative projects designed in the Discovery Phase. QAA and CDN will support project teams to deliver impactful activity that improves and enhances the learner experience in Scotland’s colleges and universities.
Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER)
In 2025-26, QAA Scotland will deliver the second year of the current external institutional review method, TQER. 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 TQEF, TQER is intended to support assurance and enhancement of academic standards and the quality of the student learning experience for Scotland’s colleges and universities.
National Review of Awarding Arrangements
In 2025-6, QAA was commissioned, through a four-phased process, to provide assurance to the SFC, beyond that provided by existing quality assurance mechanisms, that arrangements for the awarding of qualifications are being applied consistently, effectively and transparently; and that academic standards are being maintained.
Latest news
QAA sponsors two Herald awards
| Date: | May 21 - 2026 |
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QAA Scotland is proud to have sponsored the Partnership Award and the Enhancing Student Learning Award at the Herald Education Awards 2026.
Hosted by Scottish broadcaster Des Clarke, this year's awards ceremony took place on Wednesday 20 May at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in central Glasgow.
Six initiatives had been shortlisted for the Partnership Award: City of Glasgow College for its work in the prevention of gender violence; Dumfries and Galloway College, Ayrshire College and South Lanarkshire College for their 'EcoPreneur' collaboration; Glasgow Clyde College and Celtic Football Club for their Celtic Coaching Pathway; Glasgow Kelvin College on behalf of the Glasgow City Region Colleges for their College Local Innovation Centres; New College Lanarkshire for the Brain Health Scotland Centre for Health and Social Care; and Robert Gordon University for the Denis Law Legacy Partnership.
The winner of the Partnership Award was Glasgow Clyde College.
The field for the Enhancing Student Learning Award was similarly impressive, with six initiatives shortlisted in this category: Dumfries & Galloway College for their work on immersive learning in early years; Glasgow Clyde College for their Harris Tweed Reimagined fashion project; Glasgow Clyde College for their LaunchPad entrepreneurial hub; Heriot-Watt University for the Campbell Maths Gym; the University of Stirling for their international events symposium; and West College Scotland for 'Studio by Moya' photography project.
The winner of the Enhancing Student Learning Award was also Glasgow Clyde College.
The event also honoured Professor Clare Peddie with a lifetime achievement award. Vice Principal Education at the University of St Andrews, Professor Peddie has had a long association with the work of QAA including being a reviewer and chairing QAA's Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee.
QAA was represented at the event by Chief Executive Karl Leydecker, Quality Enhancement Manager Megan Brown – who supported the judging process – and Head of Scotland Amy Eberlin, who presented the two awards sponsored by QAA.
"The Herald Education Awards was a fantastic evening, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to spend the evening with colleagues across Scotland, celebrating the impactful contributions of staff and students to our colleges and universities," said Amy. "Congratulations to all nominees and winners – their achievements showcase the kind of quality, innovation and excellence that QAA seeks to support and promote across Scotland’s tertiary sector."
QAA's Director of Regulatory Services Debra Macfarlane added: "It was wonderful to see our dear colleague the inestimable Clare Peddie, so deserving of this honour, being recognised for the immense contribution she has made to our sector, and which she continues to make. Congratulations, Clare – and our heartfelt thanks for everything you do."
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