Academic quality

The Academic Quality Assurance and Enhancement strategy of the University of Hertfordshire aims to ensure that the student experience is underpinned by effective and robust quality assurance processes, and processes to facilitate the enhancement of that experience.

It derives from the University's Strategic Plan which makes explicit the commitment of the institution to excellence in teaching and learning.

The internal quality assurance processes of the University are supported by the Academic Quality Office (AQO).

The Academic Quality Office

The role of the AQO is to:

• oversee the operation of academic quality systems and procedures.
• provide help and guidance to Faculties on all academic quality issues.
• make arrangements for validation events, audits and special reviews.
• monitor all External Examiner reports.
• manage the promotion and administration of the National Student Survey.

External review

The University and its programmes are subject to external scrutiny by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) - the body responsible for overseeing the quality assurance of all Higher Education provision in the United Kingdom.

University programmes are also subject to review and accreditation by relevant Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies, including Ofsted, the Health Professions Council and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The University of Hertfordshire underwent Institutional Audit by QAA in 2004, Collaborative Provision Audit in 2006, and was audited again in 2009.

Findings of the audits were that broad confidence can be placed in:

• the soundness of the University's management of the academic standards of all of its awards.
• the capacity of the University to manage effectively the quality of the learning opportunities offered to its students.

'Broad confidence' is the highest finding a university can receive through the audit process.