External peer review and follow-up activity underpins the principles of Scotland’s new Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF). The TQEF is a shared set of principles, delivery pillars, and outputs that can be applied to the different contexts of our colleges and universities to give assurance on academic standards and the quality of the student experience, and ensure accountability for public investment in learning and teaching.

From 2003-2022, the external peer review method used by QAA Scotland in the Scottish higher education sector was called Enhancement-led Institutional Review (ELIR), reflecting the key pillar for external review in Scotland’s then Quality Enhancement Framework. ELIR went through four iterations, completing its fourth and final cycle in 2021-22. Information on the ELIR process, including institutional and thematic reports, an evaluation of the ELIR4 cycle, and the handbook to support the submission of follow-up reports can be found on the ELIR webpage.

A new enhancement-led external peer review method has been developed by QAA Scotland (Scottish Quality Enhancement Arrangements) and will be delivered in two phases:

• Phase 1 comprising Quality Enhancement and Standards Review (QESR) and Institutional Liaison Meetings (ILM) have taken place in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
• Phase 2 has been developed during 2022-24 in collaboration with the tertiary sector to support the new TQEF. A consultation on the proposed review method and cycle is currently underway, which will close on Monday, 2 September 2024. The new cyclical review phase will commence in 2024-25, coinciding with the implementation of SFC’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework.