Quality Assurance in the United Kingdom with Particular Reference to Scotland’s Enhancement-led Institutional Review (ELIR)

Abstract

In the past few years the United Kingdom has been undergoing a process of reassessment and development of its approaches to quality assurance, in particular there is a growing recognition amongst researchers that many commonly used quality assurance methodologies do not necessarily result in increased quality. This paper reviews recent research and the strengths and weaknesses of the main quality assurance methods that have been used in the UK in recent years, including inspection, institutional review, collaborative provision audit, professional accreditation and academic review. The paper then focuses on enhancement-led institutional review (ELIR) currently being piloted in the Scottish higher education sector. The underlying philosophy of ELIR is examined and the five main elements of ELIR are explained: A comprehensive framework of internal review at the subject level within the higher education institution. An agreed set of public information provided by the institution. The effective involvement of students in quality management. Quality enhancement engagements. These take the form of a structured programme of engagements each year which will involve the sector in a series of developmental activities on themes selected by the sector. The institutional review process. Finally the paper considers the benefits and costs of ELIR and what the Ethiopian higher education sector may learn from the Scottish experience.