Further education college HE course criticised by QAA Concerns investigation reveals problems with course launched in conjunction with private company By Chris Havergal 11 May
Appealed QAA review of Southampton stays secret after all Critics cry ‘cop-out’ over decision on publishing report By Chris Havergal 7 May
Examiners give hugely different marks Study finds inconsistencies in grading for borderline 2:1 and 2:2 essays By Jack Grove 30 April
Islanders must know that a UK degree pays, says QAA Universities awarding qualifications to those studying in the Caribbean must do more to monitor graduate employability By Jack Grove 16 April
‘Failing’ institutions will not be fined Proposal for financial penalties to maintain standards is rejected following sector-wide consultation By Jack Grove 9 April
Million+ wary of biddable regulatory superpower Response to Hefce consultation on quality assurance raises fears of an all-powerful regulator susceptible to political influence By Jack Grove 12 March
Top Cambridge degrees ‘more than double’ The proportion of students scoring top degrees at the University of Cambridge has increased significantly since 1960, according to a new analysis By Holly Else 8 March
Bedfordshire cleared of giving Saudi students preferential treatment QAA report followed claims university had bent rules to allow students sponsored by Saudi government extra resits By Jack Grove 27 February
Departments: the ideal units of quality assessment The standards of research and teaching would be best protected by department-based reviews, argues Roger Brown 5 February
Comparing degree standards: assumptions to be ‘re-tested’ Three of the UK’s funding bodies want to “re-test assumptions” about the importance of comparability of standards across the sector’s institutions By John Morgan 15 January
HE in FE report finds room for improvement Nearly one in three English further education colleges offering higher education that were reviewed last year have been told to make improvements By Chris Havergal 19 December
Brazil's main concern is research quality at its universities, says adviser Rise in the number of private institutions is blamed for slipping standards By Donna Bowater 13 November
Are UK degree standards comparable? Without a system for sharing assessment practice, it’s nonsense to assume that a 2:1 is the same everywhere, says Chris Rust 13 November
QAA clears Anglia Ruskin after ‘dumbing down’ complaint Former employee made claims about standards on electronics course By Chris Parr 28 October
QAA review: let’s avoid another 'quality war' Hefce’s decision to invite external bodies to bid for work undertaken by the higher education watchdog carries risks, warns Peter Williams 16 October
Swansea University passes QAA review after upscaling quarrel Positive feedback as agency makes recommendations after controversy over student grades at the School of Management By Paul Jump 9 October
QAA ‘no match’ for rapid change in higher education sector Hefce move could signal the end of single regulatory body By Jack Grove 9 October
University quality assurance consultation launched A consultation has been launched on the future of quality assurance in UK higher education By Jack Grove 7 October
QAA to investigate Saudi students’ exam resits University of Bedfordshire accused of giving those sponsored by Saudi Arabian government preferential treatment By David Matthews 28 August
Spike in NSS ‘yea-sayers’ could weaken survey data Hefce-commissioned report recommends adjusting questions to counter fears that survey is being filled in ‘without sufficient thought’ By Paul Jump 3 July
QAA launches inquiry into London branch campuses Announcement follows immigration minister’s statement on student visa crackdown By John Morgan 24 June
The trouble with taught degree-awarding powers Nick Hillman on plans to use the powers to sort good universities from bad 19 June
‘Good’ degree awards not always in line with intake Hefce report reveals more firsts and 2:1s than expected at some institutions By David Matthews 17 April
Revolutionary road to higher standards in Ukraine Nation’s universities to face QAA-style scrutiny under new regime By Jack Grove 10 April
Universities warned over ‘sleepwalking’ into Ofsted-style regime Higher education may be “sleepwalking” towards a new quality control system based on Ofsted-style inspections, a leading sector figure has warned. By Jack Grove 25 March
QAA gamekeeper turns poacher Former head of oversight at standards watchdog advising private colleges how to pass review By John Morgan 20 March
QAA criticised for keeping appeals outcomes secret Geoffrey Alderman argues standards watchdog’s decision flies in face of its commitment to openness and transparency By Jack Grove 6 February
QAA seeks new quality development director Agency head Anthony McClaran elaborates on what the role will entail. Plus the latest higher education jobs and appointments By Jack Grove 23 January
Experts demand quality control for capless ‘free-for-all’ Legislation a must after scrapping of student quotas By Jack Grove 12 December
No one’s seeing red over Teqsa’s quality checks, says commissioner Australia’s universities don’t consider data burden for ‘traffic light’ reports to be excessive, forum hears By Jack Grove 14 November
Hepi takes leaf out of banking ledger for regulatory model Report calls for overarching body to fill gaps in national ‘framework’ By Jack Grove 7 November
QAA kudos for Bournemouth student support Rare recognition by standards watchdog By Elizabeth Gibney 19 September
Iraq academy urged to build own path to quality Report on Erbil conference highlights challenges facing Iraqi universities By Matthew Reisz 5 September
QAA guides universities on information to students Ensuring prospective students get accurate information on workload, class sizes and teaching is the aim of new guidance from the quality watchdog By John Morgan 31 August
Private institution passes QAA review Richmond, the American International University in London has become one of the rare private providers to pass a full review by the quality watchdog. By John Morgan 29 August
Croatia aims to get sector up to union standard Newest union member will apply national and European resources to improve qualifications, access and research 18 July
India’s higher education sector focuses on standards The subcontinent plans to create capacity for an extra 10 million students in five years, with particular emphasis on quality of education. But how? By John Morgan 18 July
Sector cools on QAA plans to use foreign reviewers Consultation shows widespread resistance to regulator’s proposal By Jack Grove 11 July
QAA appeals must be made public Too much hangs on them for secrecy to reign, argues Geoffrey Alderman 11 July
QAA review U-turn is music to for-profit’s ears Watchdog backs down after institutional appeal for second time By Jack Grove 4 July
QAA grossly overestimates student workloads Hepi/Which? uncovers huge shortfall in study time By David Matthews 16 May
Southampton shows teeth and watchdog backs down Russell Group member successfully appeals against full QAA review By Jack Grove 16 May
UK 'fly in, fly out' scholars fail to take off in China Students dissatisfied with contact hours, QAA overseas provision review shows. Jack Grove writes By Jack Grove 16 May
Are PhD vivas still fit for purpose? The viva, the final hurdle to gaining a PhD, is labour-intensive, not conducted to any national standard and is dreaded by students who fear an examiner will capriciously halt their career. Is it still fit for purpose? asks Elizabeth Gibney By Elizabeth Gibney 25 April
QAA finds 'serious flaws' in Anglia Ruskin's validation University says problems at partner colleges affect just 3% of students By Jack Grove 18 April
One inspection, multiple agencies Several bodies could carry out university inspections simultaneously to cut the administrative burden By David Matthews 4 April
Public good, public service The public-private balance of funding sources needs to be adjusted to protect the public interest, says Roger Brown 28 March
US watchdogs, show more teeth or face fed pound Obama’s State of the Union address draws line in sand, QAA conference hears By Jack Grove 21 March
BPP University College criticised in QAA report Institutional review approves academic standards but says ‘lack of clarity’ in marketing claims could be ‘misleading’ By Jack Grove 28 February
GMC may expand sanctions for failing UK medical schools Regulator to review range of options for institutions falling short on quality measures By Elizabeth Gibney 21 February
Loughborough faces QAA criticism University’s provision in collaboration with overseas partners ‘requires improvement’, report states By Jack Grove 14 February
Two-year sentences Michael Gove is wrong, says Chris Hackley: a return to ‘traditional’ A levels will narrow access and do nothing to raise standards 7 February
QAA unveils new appraisal standards But critics say plans to relax peer reviews in some universities will introduce risk-based quality assurance by another route By Jack Grove 7 February
Law school staff give poor marks to exam proposals Leaked documents reveal backlash over mooted changes to assessment at Surrey By Jack Grove 24 January
Plagiarism problems on campus: where have I heard that before? Essay-writing firm denies inconsistency in its director penning satirical novel. Paul Jump reports By Paul Jump 17 January
QAA pursues no-risk legal strategy with support from taxpayer guaranteed The Quality Assurance Agency will be bailed out by the taxpayer if it is sued by a private college that fails an inspection, it has emerged. By David Matthews 3 January
Assumption, but no altered state St Mary’s fails to transform into university following QAA critique of hypnosis course. Jack Grove writes By Jack Grove 6 December