A process built to withstand scrutiny.

Review stages

For educational reviews, QUAA proposes an eligibility check, published terms of reference, a structured institutional self-assessment, independent assessor selection, an evidence review, a factual-accuracy process and a documented decision and publication method.

Assessment and decisions

Evaluators gather and interpret evidence; an appropriately constituted decision body considers the report where a formal result is possible. The commercial team must neither select favourable findings nor override technical judgments.

Conflict management

Every reviewer should declare academic, commercial, personal and related-party interests. An unresolved material conflict disqualifies participation. Any review of a commonly controlled entity must not be described as independent external accreditation.

Outcomes and records

Permissible outcomes and their effect must be defined in an approved scheme before applications are accepted. Until then, QUAA publishes no claimed certifications or externally accredited institutions.

Appeals and corrections

An appeals process should distinguish factual corrections from challenges to evaluative judgment, with independent handling and published timelines following formal adoption.