Quality assessment in UK higher education

The higher education (HE) funding bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland [Note 1] are to seek views on future approaches to the assessment of quality in higher education [Note 2]. Based on the feedback we receive, we will then invite tenders under a joint procurement exercise. This will ensure transparency and demonstrate value for money.
UK higher education is undergoing rapid change. Our future quality assessment arrangements must continue to be internationally respected, to have the confidence of students, and to support a world-class HE sector. 

Notes
1. The funding bodies are, respectively, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW). Quality assessment in the UK is currently conducted by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) under contract to the UK funding bodies.
2.  HEFCE, HEFCW and DELNI are legally responsible for securing that provision is made for assessing the quality of education provided in institutions for whose activities they provide, or are considering providing, financial support.
3. See frequently asked questions about this announcement. More...