University praised for enhancing student experience and academic standards

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A review by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has expressed confidence in the University’s progress in continuing to monitor, review and enhance its higher education provision to allow effective arrangements to be in place for managing academic standards and the quality of the student experience.

The review, which took place in November 2023, was carried out by a team of three independent reviewers appointed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

The team said the University displays good practice in its work through the Institute for Academic Development in establishing a network of secondees and associates embedded within the schools to support developments in learning and teaching.

The QAA also made the following recommendations:

  • Make progress on and accelerate its actions in response to the recommendations from the previous Enhancement-led Institutional Review (ELIR) (2021), ensuring effective and consistent implementation by all Schools, and monitor the outcomes, to evidence significant progress within the next academic year.
  • Expedite the final drafting, approval and implementation of its Learning and Teaching Strategy to help staff and students understand how major strategic projects work together and provide clarity on the strategic approach to enhancing learning and teaching.
  • Take immediate action, within the current academic year, to ensure that the new Assessment and Feedback Principles and Priorities (developed in response to ELIR) are fully implemented in all Schools, that feedback turnaround times and quality are monitored effectively, and that prompt action is taken to address any shortcomings.

Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the QESR report that confirms the effectiveness of the arrangements we have in place for managing quality and standards and recognises the work of our Institute for Academic Development as an area of good practice. We welcome the feedback from the panel and the recommendations in moving forward our priorities to enhance learning and teaching and the student experience.”

Find out more

The Quality Enhancement and Standards Review Report for the University of Edinburgh

Institute for Academic Development | The University of Edinburgh