QAA launches International Programme Accreditation

QAA’s new International Programmme Accreditation review method (IPA) aims to strengthen international collaboration in UK higher education by offering institutions outside the UK the opportunity to have an independent peer review of their curriculum development and quality assurance processes.

The new review method builds on the strength of QAA’s International Quality Review (IQR) process which was launched in 2017 and to date has seen over 15 institutions achieve global quality accreditation. It also sits alongside other QAA services such as IQR for ACE Impact, and bespoke training and consultancy, delivered in QAA’s capacity supporting collaboration between UK and international higher education institutions.

QAA was supported in developing the review method by an expert International Programme Accreditation Advisory Group drawn from, and acting on behalf of, the international higher education community.

Professor David Coates, member of the Advisory Group and Professor of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee said: 'International Programme Accreditation is a great way to show that your courses and your curricula are recognised internationally and stand together with the best globally. External review by QAA gives you the confidence that what you are doing is in the best interests of your students and their future employers.'

The new method assesses the standards and quality of individual programmes of study against the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG). It includes the systematic monitoring and evaluation of learning and teaching, and the processes that support them to make sure that the standards of academic awards meet the required level and the quality of the student learning experience is being safeguarded and continually improved.

Further information on International Programme Accreditation is available via our webpage. If you have any questions, please contact accreditation@qaa.ac.uk