External reference points
The Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of Higher Education in England. The OfS works in the interest of students to ensure they are supported to access and suceed in higher education, receive a high quality educational experience that offers value for money. As part of their work, the OfS commissions the National Student Survey (NSS).
You can find out more about the work of the OfS by visiting the .
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)
The QAA is the independent body entrusted with monitoring and advising on standards and quality in UK higher education. Their main areas of work include:
- Setting and monitoring the standards of UK higher education including the development of the
- Working with, and for, their members across the UK to deliver services, expertise and guidance on key issues that are important to the sector and students
- Reviewing UK higher education wherever it is delivered in the world
- Advising Goverment on applications for degree awarding powers and the right to be called a university across the UK
- Training, guidance and events to help UK HE providers develop and improve their own QA processes
QAA is the Designated Quality Body recognised by the Office for Students to undertake independent assessments and evaluations, which inform their regulatory decision making.
You can find out more about the work of the QAA by visiting the .
Advance HE
Advance HE is a member-led, sector-owned charity that works with institutions and higher education across the world to improve education for staff, students and society.
One of their priorities is to contribute to the professionalization of teaching through their recognition service. Professional recognition can be achieved by those who teach and support learning in higher education where they demonstrate that they meet a set of professional standards - the .
There are two routes to professional recognition with the HEA. These are either through direct application or via successful completion of a course of institutional development which has been accredited by the HEA. The University's Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education is accredited by the HEA. You can find out more by visiting the AQP pages of staff development, awards and recognition.
You can find out about the many services and events the HEA offers by visiting the .