Professional development
Our professional development programmes offer opportunities for you to extend your knowledge and skills and learn more about efficient and effective systems from QAA specialists. Each course provides a platform to actively engage as part of an online cohort, enabling you to discuss key issues, exchange ideas and share insights with other members across the UK.
There are professional development programmes for:
- those involved in managing academic quality and standards across the UK. The courses are designed for colleagues at different stages in their career with a selection of dates available throughout the year.
- those involved in managing and developing international partnerships. These form part of the International Insights enhancement package.
- those with a passion for effective evaluation and a desire to design interventions with impact.
About our courses and how to book
Managing academic quality and standards
A series of three courses are available for members to progress through to learn more about quality assurance and enhancement in higher education. We encourage members to reflect on the course content for each of the programmes introduced below to see where their most suitable starting point is, based on their current role and experience of working in quality assurance and enhancement.
This lively, interactive workshop introduces the key concepts of academic quality and standards in the UK: what they are, why they matter, some of the main internal processes and the relevant sector bodies. We also signpost to useful resources and information.
Is this for me?
This course is suitable for anyone new to higher education, with no prior knowledge of the sector. It can be used as a standalone session for non-specialists or as a starting point from which those with a greater interest in the management of academic quality and standards can build through engagement with our other courses.
What is the commitment?
It is a 2-hour online session with no preparatory tasks. Active participation is encouraged to ensure all participants get the most value from the course.
When will this course run?
This course runs throughout the Membership year. Click your preferred date below to find out the specifics for that programme.
Is there a limit to the number of people who can attend this course?
The maximum number of delegates on this course will be 80. Limited to a maximum of 5 registrations from the same provider with full UK membership.
The course covers the key reference points for quality and standards such as the UK Quality Code for Higher Education, as well as different ways in which quality assurance and enhancement can be managed by a provider.
Is this for me?
This course is suitable for academic and professional services staff who need to understand the role of quality in higher education. It relies on participants having some familiarity with their provider so we recommend applicants should have been within their role for at least three months before joining the programme. You may wish to join this course after completing Step into Quality, but it is not a pre-requisite.
What is the commitment?
Participants are expected to attend two live sessions and access a range of asynchronous activities during the programme such as pre-recorded presentations and reading course materials.
When will this course run?
This course runs throughout the Membership year. Click your preferred date below to find out the specifics for that programme.
Is there a limit to the number of people who can attend this course?
The maximum number of delegates on this course will be 45. Limited to a maximum of 2 registrations from the same provider with full UK membership.
The course builds on foundational knowledge of quality management and reference points, reflecting on challenges and debates in delivering quality assurance and enhancement.
Is this for me?
This course is intended to support professional services staff who are progressing at team leader/officer-level roles or academic staff taking on particular responsibility for the management of academic quality and standards (for example, programme leaders, department heads or learning and teaching quality leads). Quality in Practice offers suitable progression for those who have completed Introduction to Quality, but that step is not essential.
What is the commitment?
The programme includes two compulsory live sessions and a series of asynchronous activities to complete such as pre-recorded presentations and reading case studies.
When will this course run?
This course runs throughout the Membership year. Click your preferred date below to find out the specifics for that programme.
Is there a limit to the number of people who can attend this course?
The maximum number of delegates on this course will be 45. Limited to a maximum of 2 registrations from the same provider with full UK membership.
Effective Evaluation Training
This course is designed to develop your confidence and skills in planning and implementing impactful enhancement of practice. Through workshops and facilitated action learning sets, you’ll build confidence and capability in designing appropriate and effective enhancement interventions and evaluation approaches whilst developing criticality and strategies to enhance the impact of interventions, and successfully capture effectiveness.
Unlike other QAA Membership training programmes, there is a fee for this course which is an exclusive member-only add-on to your QAA Membership – find out more on the Effective Evaluation Training web page.
Is this for me?
The course is ideal for anyone with a passion for developing effective evaluation and a desire to design interventions with impact.
What is the commitment?
The course comprises workshops and action learning sets requiring a total commitment of 17 hours including 3.5 hours unscheduled preparatory reading or planning time – approximately 30 minutes will be required prior to each session.
Pre-reading will be shared a few days prior to each session.
When will this course run?
This course runs once in the 2024-25 Membership Year.
Is there a limit to the number of people who can attend this course?
The maximum number of delegates on this course will be 50.
Managing international partnerships
These programmes are for QAA Members who have the International Insights enhancement package.
The session covers all fundamental aspects of international partnerships from the outline stages of the TNE journey, including how to mitigate risk.
Is this for me?
This training is aimed at staff who have recently started to work in professional support or academic roles with responsibilities for international partnerships. This may include partnership or international office staff, staff from quality teams or other relevant professional services.
What is the commitment?
This is a 2-hour online session with no preparatory tasks. Active participation is encouraged to ensure all participants get the most value from the course.
When will this course run?
Dates for courses in Membership 2024-25 will be announced soon.
The interactive session explores developing partnerships, partnership types and definitions, risks involved in international partnerships, and risk management processes including the challenges of undertaking due diligence.
Is this for me?
This course is for colleagues who have prior experience of international partnership work including staff working in management or operational roles in quality teams or international teams, academics with responsibility for international partnership arrangements and other experienced staff with responsibilities for delivery and/or support of international partnerships.
What is the commitment?
This is one-off online workshop where participation is required in group activities to enable sharing of experience and challenges. Some pre-reading of supporting documents is encouraged.
When will this course run?
Dates for courses in Membership 2024-25 will be announced soon.
Need some help? Contact us
If you are not sure which is the best course for you, or would like further information, please email the Membership Team who will be happy to help.