Review team expresses confidence in the Glasgow School of Art's quality arrangements

A review by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has expressed confidence in the Glasgow School of Art'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 10 June 2024.

The team identified the following area of good practice:

• The rigorous and coordinated approach to enhancing learning and teaching by developing, embedding and monitoring the impact and implementation of a range of key institutional strategies.

• The introduction and evolution of the Student Consultant role: working in partnership with staff and students, the student consultants have led on a number of initiatives aligned with strategic priorities, including changes to assessment and feedback, curriculum review and the new Education Strategy.

• The continued proactive development of core quality processes (including an increasing focus on data) and the oversight of key quality reports at an institutional level.

QAA also made the following recommendation:

• Building on the work undertaken through the development of the Student Engagement and Representation Policy, the Glasgow School of Art should keep under review the operation of the Student Staff Consultative Committees in consultation with students to ensure a consistent and effective approach. 

Professor Penny Macbeth, Director of the Glasgow School of Art, said:

'On behalf of the students and staff of the Glasgow School of Art, I am delighted that the Quality Enhancement and Standards Review has affirmed confidence in the effectiveness of our approaches to maintain academic quality and standards and enhance the student experience. 

'The review team’s commendation of our strategic approach to learning and teaching enhancement, proactive quality processes, and the evolving role of Student Consultant reflect our strong partnership working between staff and students and their dedication to continually improving our standards. This alignment with our strategic priorities is incredibly encouraging.

'I extend my sincere thanks to the QAA review team for their thoughtful engagement and to everyone at the GSA who contributed to this successful review.'

You can read the full Quality and Enhancement Standards Review report for the Glasgow School of Art on the QAA website.