QAA leads the development of Subject Benchmark Statements. These Statements are reviewed on a cyclical basis to ensure they are as useful as possible for discipline communities and can inform a range of purposes across the sector, including course design and providing support for securing academic standards.
We are inviting expressions of interest from academic communities to join the Subject Advisory Groups for the subjects outlined below:
Our aim is to ensure that membership of each Subject Benchmark Statement Advisory Group is fully representative of the rich diversity of the UK higher education sector, with the aim of promoting an inclusive approach to the development of the Statements. Expressions of interest from academic colleagues from ethnic communities are particularly welcome.
The Subject Chair and Deputy Chair(s), working with QAA, are responsible for selecting Advisory Group members. To allow us and the Chairs to appoint sufficiently representative groups, we welcome expressions of interest from academics and students offering diverse perspectives for each subject. The membership of each Advisory Group will be drawn from the four nations of the UK, and be appropriately balanced between academic and professional practice, where relevant to the subject.
Membership of Advisory Groups will also include:
professional, statutory and regulatory bodies (where applicable for the subject)
representatives of the principal subject association(s) and/or network(s)
a current or former student, student body or an organisation representing the interests of students in the subject area.
For subject areas where apprenticeship standards exist, it may also be helpful to include a member of the relevant Apprenticeships Trailblazer group.
Please read the document below for more details on the evidence criteria and expectations of advisory group members.
Publication date: 30 Jul 2026
The review period of existing Subject Benchmark Statements usually takes between 12-15 months, so you will need to make a commitment to the time period of the review. There is no remuneration for a role on a QAA Advisory Group. Advisory Group meetings will take place online using Microsoft Teams, and documents will be held centrally on a QAA SharePoint site.
These are the key dates and milestones anticipated for the review:
| Date | Milestones |
|---|---|
| October 2026 | First Advisory Group meetings |
| November 2026-May 2027 | Review and drafting phase including regular (usually five) Advisory Group meetings |
| May-June 2027 | Consultation phase including an open consultation with the subject community and other interested parties |
| July-August 2027 | Post-consultation analysis of responses and adjustment of the Statement |
| November-December 2027 | Publication of revised Statements |
QAA is committed to ensuring the Statements reflect developments in the subject communities and agendas in the higher education sector. The revised Statements will include consideration of the following topics, so we are keen to hear from the academic community who have both subject expertise and awareness or experience in one or more of the following areas:
If you would like to be considered for the Advisory Groups for any of the above subjects, please submit an expression of interest using our online form, outlining how your experience and skills meet the requirements of the role as reflected in the person specification. Students can apply here.
Publication date: 30 Jul 2026
Publication date: 30 Jul 2026
The deadline to submit an expression of interest is midday on Friday 25 September 2026.
For enquiries relating to Subject Benchmark Statements, please contact qualityandstandards@qaa.ac.uk.
