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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.
Latest news
STEP calls for proposals for funded project
| Date: | October 20 - 2025 |
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QAA Scotland and CDN have opened a call to all staff and students at Scottish colleges and universities to submit funding proposals for a project on 'Delivering Tailored, Targeted and Personalised Support'.
Funding up to £10,000 is available for the development and delivery of this project, which will form part of Scotland's Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP).
Managed in partnership by QAA Scotland and CDN (College Development Network), STEP is the national enhancement programme for the Scottish tertiary sector. Funded by the Scottish Funding Council, it is designed to enable Scotland’s colleges and universities to work together to improve and enhance learning, teaching, the student experience and staff development across tertiary provision.
Project proposals should address the current STEP topic, 'Supporting Diverse Learner Journeys'. They may focus on support for a specific cohort, or students with a specific characteristic or experience; support for a specific aspect of the student experience; student peer support; or support relating to health and wellbeing.
Project proposals must be collaborative, involving multiple institutions or agencies, and must involve students as partners.
Quality Enhancement Manager at QAA Scotland Alison Eales said: 'This is an exciting opportunity to support, develop and showcase high-quality student support initiatives, to work collaboratively across Scotland's colleges and universities, and to share best practice across the sector. We very much look forward to hearing your innovative and impactful ideas.'
The deadline for the submission of proposals is Wednesday 3 December 2025. More information and the application form is available here.
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Find out about Scotland's Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP)
Discover more about the Scottish Tertiary Enhancement Programme.
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