Quality assurance in United Kingdom higher education. A case study: the London Metropolitan University

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present the Quality Assurance System of one of the largest universities in Great Britain, the London Metropolitan University (London Met). A brief history of the evaluation system in the United Kingdom (UK) and a description of the current situation of Higher Education in the UK, as to the quality and standard assurance will be presented to start with. In particular, we will describe the activities carried out by the national Quality Assurance Agency and the quality procedures implemented in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. As to the London Met, after a short presentation of the University, we will try to present an overview of the quality assurance and management systems, their facilities, the people involved (boards, committees, departments, internal and external examiners) and the procedures currently in place. Finally, we will describe the policy adopted by the London Met with respect to external accrediting agencies and professional bodies that also reported to the organisation of the QAA Institutional Audit in spring 2005.