Quality assurance in higher education has been an important issue not only in western countries but also in China. This study, based on Harman's framework, analyses the features and implementation of undergraduate teaching evaluation (UTE) through case studies of four different universities in Guangdong province, southern China. The findings…

Faced with conflicting pressures of student diversity, retention and demands for change in a volatile international education marketing environment, universities have become more focused on enhancing student experience as a strategic response to achieving competitive advantage. Based on an exploratory qualitative study conducted in a UK…

Recent interest in the number of complaints being raised by students in higher education may be attributed both to a general concern about quality and standards in universities and to the emerging role of the student as a "consumer". However, partly because of the highly sensitive nature of this topic, for students, staff and institutions, very…

Distance education permeates the field of professional and continuing education to such an extent that quality assurance (QA) is a topic no distance educator or administrator should avoid. Quality assurance is an issue not just for continuing education but also for higher education generally. Given the disruptive impact of distance education and…

To boost the social and economic outlook of the country, Turkey has recently initiated educational reform at all levels and especially higher education, including organizational restructuring and expansion for increased accessibility. The swift increase in the number and size of universities has resulted in a challenge to find trained faculty. One…

In 2010, Capella University became the first online university--and the first for-profit institution--to receive the CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes. In 2009, Capella University also received the Platinum-level Learning Impact Award/Best Outcomes-based…

Quality and standards in higher education is a tricky topic, but one that will not go away. Everyone has a view, but it is rarely informed by fact. The subject is particularly difficult for several reasons. Perhaps the most important of these is the lack of any generally agreed definition of what quality and standards are. In this article, the…

This article explores from a sociological perspective how MA students of Education perceive the impact of their teachers' research activities on the quality of teaching and learning in higher education in the UK. It originates from a qualitative research design, from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 43 postgraduate (MA) students of…

Many college and university summer session deans and directors face significant challenges in providing quality summer courses. At research institutions, for example, the number of regular tenured and tenure-track faculty who want to focus on research, scholarship, and other activities during summer, affects the composition of the summer session…

Higher education institutions are confronted with increasing demand for electronic access to educational opportunities, improved academic quality and accountability, and new academic programs that address societal workforce and economic development needs. Collaboration allows institutions to combine resources to respond efficiently and effectively…

Discusses competition and profit in higher education and the effect of the profit motive on educational quality. Describes the impact of the lucrative executive education field, extension education, the Internet, and the hidden curriculum of advertising and corporate dollars in universities. (SK)

Analyzes results of over 500 subject review visits by Britain's Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Notes that the grades show a significant increase over previous years and considers what may have caused this. Suggests that it is the result of improved institutional knowledge of the process and also genuine quality enhancement in the…

Draws upon the experiences of participants in a Ph.D. program and a professional doctorate program to explore the descriptors for doctorates used by Britain's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Concludes that analysis of the similarities and differences between doctorate program types reveals qualitative distinctions that the QAA fails to address.…

Reports the results of a survey that identified 2,500 certificate programs at more than 400 universities. Discusses findings related to quality, nomenclature, governance, management, curriculum, faculty, students, and finance. (SK)

Looks at the United Kingdom's recent Funding Council-led attempts to streamline external accountability in higher education, then uses this as a platform for determining the criteria which an external accountability regime in higher education should meet. Outlines a new, streamlined system under the aegis of a new single accountability body…