The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in the UK publishes subject benchmark statements that higher education institutions are expected to consult when designing, delivering and reviewing programmes. Within a context for higher education that is considered by some to be unacceptably bureaucratic, this paper reflects on the value of subject benchmark statements for maintaining academic standards. Practitioners' accounts of working with subject benchmark statements suggest that they are of value in the design and validation of new programmes and in internal and external quality assurance processes. Challenges include fears over a "tick box" compliance culture, complexities of dealing with multidisciplinary programmes and management of the relationship between academic and professional body requirements. Further evaluation is needed. Suggestions are made for areas where further research would be helpful. This paper will be of interest to practitioners, researchers and managers working in quality assurance in the UK and overseas. (Contains 3 notes and 2 tables.)