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Internal Quality Audit

Internal Quality Audit (IQA) is an important part of the University's strategy and procedures for assuring itself of the quality of learning and teaching opportunities provided to students and the standards of its programmes and awards. The current IQA process is an iteration of that approved by Senate in 1994/95 and is strongly influenced by the UK Quality Code for Higher Education. At the heart of the IQA process is an emphasis on students and their learning.

Keele's approachto IQA is that the process is built upon supportive peer review, ensuring an element of externality and involving students throughout the process. As such the process is intended to emphasise the following: The enhancement potential of the process to ensure that good practice found in Schools is celebrated and, importantly, that the wider University community can share in the good practice findings and in the School's learning from the process. The supportive peer review nature of the process which ensures that the it is conducted in an atmosphere of collegiality and mutual trust. The soundness of the assurances provided to the University regarding the effectiveness of the operational of its policies and procedures at the level of the School and the management of the School. The need to increase student engagement in quality assurance mechanisms in order that the University can benefit and learn from the direct experiences of its students. The periodic appraisal and revalidation of the academic programmes; underpinned by considered external advice and a comprehensive evidence base. The expectation that the process should not be overly burdensome for the School and that the Self Evaluation Document should normally be the only document prepared specifically for the audit. An awareness that many Schools and their programmes are subject to external review by Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) and that the IQA process should aim to articulate with these processes wherever possible.

This website is broken down into four main areas:

1. Information for Schools: this section contains tips and guidance for Schools about to undergo an IQA.
2. Information for Auditors: this section contains documents and and guidance for colleagues joining one of the Audit Panels.
3. Internal Quality Audit reports: previous IQA reports are stored in this section (only accessible on campus).
4. Examples of good practice: an important part of the IQA process is to highlight excellence across the University. Examples are contained in this section.