Quality assurance agencies need to reinvent themselves

Another strategy is to use a risk-based approach, and vary the scope of assessments according to the risk and the track-record of each provider. An elite university that has been around for 100 years usually does not need to demonstrate that it has mastered the basics of QA, whereas a three-year old provider with weak academic leadership might. When approaching each case I would ask my teams: 'What are we worried about with this provider'? If the answer is 'nothing' - move on! Michael Tomlinson (ex TEQSA)

"Some even wonder whether we still add significant value to higher education." "... the agencies should take their part of the credit for this and move on." Ye Gods we need more honesty like that carried in this article. Mature institutions, and yes particularly Russel Group institutions, never needed the likes of the QAA. The principle of Quality Assurance has never truly partnered Higher Education (HE). It has only ever been an arm of Government with a chip on its shoulder. If QA actually worked in the UK, how come we still have fly by night, over the shop 'HE' providers in the UK??