2. quality culture in the EHEA
Quality assurance and
quality culture in the EHEA
Anna Gover
European University Association
5 October 2017
HERE study visit
University of Edinburgh, Scotland

3. European quality assurance framework
QA: one action line in the Bologna Process
2003: Berlin Communiqué
2005: Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the EHEA (ESG)
2008: European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR)
2015: ESG 2015 adopted at Ministerial Conference in Yerevan in May

4. Principles for quality assurance in the EHEA
HEIs have primary responsibility for the quality of their provision and its assurance
QA responds to the diversity of HE systems, institutions, programmes and students
QA supports the development of a quality culture
QA involves takes into account the needs and expectations of students, all other stakeholders and society

5. External QA - State of play
Different system level approaches
Trend towards institutional approach, but often combined with programme level
Accreditation, evaluation or audit
Aligned with the ESG, but national criteria on top
Level of institutional autonomy in creating internal QA systems varies
Countries (and institutions) are in different phases in implementing QA systems
QA identified by HEIs as being among the most influential national reforms (Trends 2010 and 2015)

6. Internal QA - State of play
EUA Trends 2015, Q51: N= 419

7. Quality culture

8. Internal QA - State of play
Influence of external QA on internal QA
Different internal approaches
Centralised vs. decentralised
Specialised QA staff vs. additional task for academic staff
Common set of tools used for monitoring and improving the quality of teaching and learning

9. Common challenges in fostering quality culture
Ownership and participation
How to involve all stakeholders and foster collective responsibility?
Relevance
How to meet the needs of a wide variety of stakeholders?
Sufficient and suitable information
How to collect the right information and provide it to the right people?
Closing the feedback loop
What happens after the feedback?
Pace of change
Developing or changing culture and attitudes takes time

10. Approaches to supporting quality culture
Aim for improved quality of education, not just compliance
Adapt to context
Balance formal and informal elements
Invest in follow-up actions
Communicate

11. © Patrick Sanders, 2009