Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Quality Assurance (QA) in Higher Education

An understanding of the higher education context in which quality assurance agencies operate is an essential foundation for the design of good quality assurance practices and accountability. This course, as the title suggests, sets out to introduce students to the trends in higher education at a time when national boundaries are melting away and the world has become more globalised than it has ever been. Module 1 of this course looks at the huge increase in patterns of demand for higher education and the impact of demographic shifts on student populations. The impact of market philosophies will also be considered in detail and how this has changed the balance of funding from largely public to include major private expenditure on higher education. Module 2 shows how the new information technologies have changed the way higher education is organised and delivered and it also discusses the emergence of the state as the evaluator as well as regulator of education, while the focus of Module 3 is on globalisation and internationalisation of education and introduces the remarkable developments contributing to student and staff mobility in addition to encouraging alliances between institutions and across borders. The course is designed for post graduate students and professionals seeking to understand the broader context of higher education in order to strengthen their knowledge of quality assurance systems. It is structured into three modules delivered fully online, using both synchronous and asynchronous activities. Students are assessed through 100% continuous coursework, including group projects, individual assignments and graded participation in online discussions.

This graduate-level course builds on the course - EDQA6501: Higher Education in a Global World I. It continues the comprehensive introduction to the contemporary context in which quality assurance and accountability have become central concerns in higher education. Students will review the exploration started in part 1, of the broad historical and policy trends that have led to the development of modern quality assurance systems, with particular attention to the effects of globalisation and internationalisation on the structure and function of higher education institutions (HEIs). One of the main topics for this course is the different types of qualifications offered by higher education institutions and the frameworks that have emerged to make different systems more compatible so that students and graduates can move with ease from country to country. The course also has some discussion of the diverse types of students enrolling in higher education. It demonstrates just how far the sector has come from catering almost exclusively for an elite group of full-time, on-campus, students. Additionally, the course will examine the governance and management of higher education institutions. It looks at universities as organisations and examines aspects such as the different functions they perform, the culture and their leadership. It will also cover information on the range of networks of universities that exist nationally and internationally. The course is structured into three modules comprising fourteen units and delivered fully online using a blend of synchronous and asynchronous strategies. Assessments is 100% continuous and includes individual and group assignments and discussions.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the structures, methods, and practices involved in external quality assurance (EQA) in higher education. Structured into 3 modules comprising 10 units, the course takes a systems-level view of quality assurance agencies, focusing on their organizational design, operational frameworks, and accountability mechanisms. Students will examine the core functions of EQA agencies, including the development of review methodologies and standards-based approaches to quality. Through global case examples, the course investigates key quality assurance processes such as institutional accreditation, self-assessment, review reporting, and decision-making. A central focus is placed on the human dimension of quality assurance, particularly the roles, training, and selection of peer reviewers. Emphasis is given to the importance of ensuring credibility, stakeholder engagement, and sustained institutional improvement through well-structured EQA processes. Assessment in this course will be 100% continuous, utilizing a combination of formative and summative methods. The assessments consist of three components A, B and C. Students will be required to pass each component to pass the course. This course will be delivered entirely online using a blend of synchronous (e.g., web conferencing) and asynchronous (e.g., discussion forum, wiki and blogs) tools.

This course provides practical training in two critical phases of the external quality assurance (EQA) review process: conducting site visits and preparing review reports. It is structured into 3 modules comprising 7 units. Through an exploration of review planning, evidence collection, and reporting techniques, students will gain hands-on skills necessary to support robust, transparent, and credible review outcomes. Students will learn how to plan and execute effective site visits, construct schedules and questioning strategies, and guide review teams in adherence to protocol and consensus-building. Emphasis is placed on using site visits to validate institutional self-assessments and gather evidence to inform conclusions. In the second part of the course, students will examine the structure, purposes, and types of review reports used in accreditation, evaluation, and audit contexts. They will learn how to organize, write, and present findings in a way that clearly links evidence to review outcomes, while also considering reporting timelines and agency protocols for publication and decision-making. Assessment in this course will be 100% continuous, utilizing a combination of formative and summative methods. The assessments consist of three components A, B and C. Students will be required to pass each component to pass the course. This course will be delivered entirely online using a blend of synchronous (e.g. web conferencing) and asynchronous (e.g. discussion forum, wiki and blogs) tools.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of external quality assurance (EQA) systems in higher education. Students will examine the conceptual foundations and evolving frameworks used to define, measure, and ensure quality in higher education institutions. The course delves into the diverse roles, functions, and operational contexts of EQA agencies across different national and regional settings, with particular attention to the distinctions between audit, assessment, and accreditation processes. Emphasis is placed on how agencies navigate varying policy environments and institutional affiliations to fulfil their mandates. Part 2 of this course will build on this by looking at the planning of visits and preparing the quality assurance team report. 

Additionally, the course investigates the emergence and impact of international and national networks of EQA agencies. Students will analyse how these networks foster collaboration, address common challenges, and shape global and regional quality assurance agendas. Case illustrations and real-world examples are used to promote critical thinking about QA practices and to support the development of contextually appropriate EQA systems. The course is particularly suited to career professionals seeking formal credentials in higher education quality assurance; academic administrators, faculty, and institutional staff involved in QA processes; and individuals wishing to enter the field of tertiary education management from related sectors. Delivered fully online, the course is facilitator-led and structured into three modules comprising 15 units. Learning takes place through a combination of interactive sessions, group work, case studies, and the use of supplementary resources available through the Learning Exchange platform. Assessment is 100% continuous, with a blend of formative and summative tasks designed to evaluate student engagement, critical analysis, and application of concepts to practical QA scenarios.

This course builds on the foundation laid out in Part 1 by focusing on the standards and frameworks that EQA agencies apply, examining how quality is judged across institutions and programmes, and addressing emerging challenges such as cross-border education, online learning, and the rise of degree mills. Emphasis is placed on evaluating diverse approaches to standards—ranging from quantitative indicators to competency-based and outcomes-focused models—and their suitability for different contexts. In addition, the course investigates contemporary pressures affecting EQA agencies, including the expansion of cross-border higher education, the rise of private and for-profit institutions, and the quality implications of technological innovations in teaching and learning. Special attention is given to the threat of degree and accreditation mills, as well as the financial and policy considerations that influence the design and implementation of robust quality assurance systems. Through critical analysis and case-based discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how standards are developed, debated, and applied in the dynamic landscape of global higher education. The course is also suited to early- to mid-career professionals working in quality assurance, higher education policy, or academic administration; faculty and institutional staff involved in QA processes; and individuals seeking to transition into tertiary education management from related fields. Delivered fully online, the course is facilitator-led and organised into three modules comprising 13 units. Learning is highly interactive, incorporating group work, case studies, and discussion-based activities, supported by supplementary resources provided through the Learning Exchange platform. Assessment is 100% continuous, using a blend of formative and summative tasks designed to assess students’ ability to critically evaluate standards, analyse case studies, and apply QA principles to diverse higher education contexts.

This course, designed for postgraduate students and higher education professionals, provides an introduction to the contexts and approaches of internal quality monitoring, paying attention to the cultural, methodological, and practical considerations that underpin quality within higher education institutions (HEIs). It emphasizes the importance of planning quality strategies, developing effective evaluation methods, and understanding how governance and institutional culture influence quality practices. The course is structured into two modules comprising five units and is delivered fully online through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities. Assessment is 100% continuous and includes group assignments, individual projects, and participation-based tasks, enabling students to apply their learning in both collaborative and independent formats.

This course is a continuation of EDQA6507: Maintaining Quality within the Institution I. It is structured into three modules comprising eight units. In Module 1, students revisit foundational concepts from Part I, which critically examine the contexts and approaches of internal quality monitoring and the quality cycle of planning and acting. Module 2 explores the evaluation and improvement phases of the quality cycle, equipping students with the tools to assess institutional performance and apply strategies for managing continuous quality enhancement. Finally, Module 3 examines benchmarking practices and external quality agency audits. Through this integrated approach, students will develop the capacity to align internal QA processes with external reference points, fostering transparency, accountability, and competitiveness in higher education. Assessment in this course will be 100% continuous, utilizing a combination of formative and summative methods. The assessments consist of three components A, B and C. Students will be required to pass each component to pass the course. This course will be delivered entirely online using a blend of synchronous (e.g., web conferencing) and asynchronous (e.g., discussion forum, wiki and blogs).

Part 1 - Technology Skills
Part 1 is designed to help students to learn how to use the features of the Learning Exchange, without attending a training course. It also helps students to understand the skills needed before they start their programme. This section consists of five subsections. Each subsection provides a list of the topics or tasks that demonstrate the skill level expected and provides access to tutorial information, practical exercises, and a challenge quiz. As students progress through each, they will be required to pass the challenge quiz for each topic area.

Subsections covered include:
● OC Portal
● OC Mail
● Learning Exchange
● ePortfolio
 

Part 2 - Academic Journey
Part 2 guides students through the expectations of being a postgraduate student of the Global Campus, and the support mechanisms in place to enhance students’ success. This portion of OOL6001 provides an overview of the policies and procedures that govern students’ role in the courses offered. It also identifies the roles and responsibilities of the GC staff that supports each programme, provides guidance on how students should approach their studies, and gives students an opportunity to reflect on their readiness for the programme selected. As with Part 1, there are tutorial information, practical exercises and challenge quizzes.

Subsections covered include:
● Knowing the Academic Support Community
● A Culture of Life-Long Learning
● Assessment Methods
● Graduate Student Skills including Academic Integrity, using Turnitin, Research Skills and Writing Skills
● Regulations and Study Habits
● APA Format & Citation