Review team expresses confidence in Edinburgh Napier University quality arrangements

A review by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has expressed confidence in Edinburgh Napier University’s progress in continuing to monitor, review and enhance its higher education provision to enable effective arrangements to be in place for managing academic standards and the quality of the student experience.

The review was carried out by a team of three independent reviewers who were appointed by QAA. The review visit took place on 7 December 2023.

The team identified the following areas of good practice:

• The Curriculum Development Framework and the Curriculum Management Environment have an extensive reach and impact at all levels across the University, together with the evidence of the extent to which they are embedded in the University’s processes to enhance the student experience.
• The use of Learning and Teaching Consultants and Student Quality Panel Members to ensure the student voice in decision-making processes; and the appointment of a new Head of Student Engagement and an Institutional Researcher for Learning and Teaching to strengthen the partnership between the student body and the University.
• The University’s well-rounded, holistic approach to mental health support including investment in support services by increasing staffing, the increased support offered to students and staff, increased visibility, and working in partnership with the Students' Association to strengthen awareness of these services.

QAA also made the following recommendation:

• The University should make progress on and accelerate its actions to develop an institutional approach to reviewing postgraduate research programmes and the wider student experience, ensuring that arrangements are in place for the next academic year; and should put interim arrangements in place to capture the broader postgraduate research experience for existing students.

Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University said: 'I am delighted with this QAA review outcome which affirms Edinburgh Napier's commitment to providing an excellent experience for our students. I am particularly proud that our efforts to enhance our academic programmes, strengthen student partnership in learning and teaching, and strengthen mental health support have been recognised by the review team. While celebrating these achievements, I also acknowledge and welcome the opportunities for improvement highlighted in the QESR report. We will take forward these recommendations in the coming months. 

 'I would like to thank the QAA review team, on behalf of the University, for their considered approach in engaging with staff and students to fully understand the learning, teaching and student experience at Edinburgh Napier.'

You can read the full Quality Enhancement and Standards Review report for Edinburgh Napier University on the QAA website.