Commencing in 2024, Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER) is the method by which QAA Scotland will review both colleges and universities, as part Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF). TQER is a peer-led, enhancement-focused approach which has been co-created with staff and students from across Scotland's tertiary institutions.

TQER provides the basis for public and stakeholder confidence in the management of academic standards, the enhancement of the quality of student learning experience, and enabling student success. TQER has been designed and developed and will be delivered independently by QAA in line with the requirements of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

TQER replaces Quality Enhancement and Standards Review (QESR) and Institutional Liaison Meetings (ILMs) delivered by QAA Scotland for the Scottish higher education sector during 2022-24. Information on the QESR and ILMs can be found on the Quality Enhancement and Standards Review (QESR) and Institutional Liaison Meetings (ILMs) page.

The external peer review method used by QAA Scotland in the Scottish higher education sector from 2003-22 was called Enhancement-led Institutional Review (ELIR), reflecting the key pillar for external review in Scotland’s then Quality Enhancement Framework. Information on the ELIR process, including institutional and thematic reports, an evaluation of the ELIR 4 cycle, and the handbook to support the submission of follow-up reports can be found on the ELIR webpage.