QAA is designated quality body for higher education in England

The Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation has announced that the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) is to be the designated quality body for higher education in England.

The decision follows consultation with the sector, in which over 98 per cent of respondents supported QAA's expression of interest.

In his letter to QAA, Universities Minister Sam Gyimah MP said:

'I look forward to working with you and the Office for Students in development of a new system to perform the effective assessment of the quality of, and the standards applied to, higher education providers in England.'

Welcoming the announcement, Christopher Banks, Chair of QAA's Board of Directors said:

'I am pleased to accept the designation on behalf of QAA.

'The establishment of the Office for Students and confirmation of QAA as the designated quality body mark a new chapter for higher education in England and the assurance of quality and standards.

'Our designation confirms QAA's position as the UK's only independent quality body for higher education. We will continue in the same spirit of partnership with the Government, the Office for Students, the sector and with students that has informed our work for the last 20 years.' 

Ends

Notes to editor: 

1. Universities Minister Sam Gyimah MP wrote to QAA to confirm designation on Thursday 8 February. You can read the letter athttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/680131/QAA_Designation_letter.pdf.

1. The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 allows for a body to be designated to perform assessment functions for higher education in England. Through designation, QAA has a statutory responsibility for the assessment of quality and academic standards in registered higher education providers in England and to advise the Office for Students on the award, variation or revocation of Degree Awarding Powers.

1. The Office for Students will be fully operational from 1 April 2018, which will also be the effective date of QAA's designation.

1. QAA is the independent quality body for UK higher education. It is a higher education charitable company, which is limited by guarantee and whose members are representative organisations of the higher education sector.