QAA receives commission to develop enhancement-led quality review method for higher education in Northern Ireland

QAA is delighted to announce that we have been commissioned by the Department for the Economy (DfE) to develop an enhancement-led quality review method for higher education in Northern Ireland. 

The new review method will provide confidence to DfE, students, staff and the public in the quality of higher education provision in Northern Ireland, whilst supporting higher education institutions to enhance the quality of the student academic experience.  

QAA will engage with the sector and students during the project through a series of workshops to consider their input and reflections on the proposals. An advisory group will also be established with representation from across the sector in NI and with individuals with experience of quality enhancement review in other UK nations to advise QAA on the development of the review method. 

QAA’s Director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Kathryn O’Loan, said: ‘We are delighted to have been commissioned to develop the new review method for higher education in Northern Ireland. QAA brings significant experience of quality review to the project, along with a keen commitment to engage with the sector throughout the process, alongside the Department for the Economy.’ 

Sector engagement in the review method began at QAA’s Quality Enhancement Conference at Ulster University, Belfast in November which was attended by over 80 representatives from across the Northern Irish higher education sector. QAA aims to produce a proposal paper on the new review method to DfE by September 2024.