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What does a QAC audit mean for universities and students?

  • The QAC recognises universities' autonomy and self-accrediting status. The purpose of QAC audit is to assure the UGC and the public that the universities are delivering what they say they will do. Audits adopt a "fitness-for-purpose" approach, and do not compare universities across-the-board to meet a threshold.

  • Audits are preceded by a period of institutional self-review in regard to student learning. A significant benefit is that the university is likely to identify areas for improvement. A major output of the self-review is the Self-Evaluation Report which serves as a principal source of information in the audit.

  • The Audit Panel will examine the Self-Evaluation Report and conduct an audit visit, with a view to preparing an Audit Report.

  • Each Audit Report is likely to identify a number of features of good practice on which the university concerned will be commended. Audit Panels are also likely to identify recommended actions for the university. Both of these aspects will impact positively on quality of student learning experience, and on the university in general.