Legislation and Regulation
Legislation
• Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 (as amended)
QQI Documents
The quality of higher education in Ireland is underpinned by statutory quality assurance guidelines published by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
Statutory QA Guidelines
• Core Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines
• Sector-specific Quality Assurance guidelines for Designated Awarding Bodies
• Topic Specific Quality Assurance Guidelines - Research Degree Programmes
• Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines For Providers of Blended and Fully Online Programmes (2023)
Other QQI Policy Documents
• QQI Policy on Quality Assurance Guidelines
• QQI’s Policy for Collaborative Programmes, Transnational Programmes, and Joint Awards, 2012
• Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Higher Education to International Learners - linked to the application for and authority to use the International Education Mark (IEM)
• QQI International Education Mark (IEM)
• QQI Policy Restatement on Access, Transfer and Progression, 2015
Other National/International References
• European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (2015)
• IHEQN Guidelines on Collaborative Provision
• National Policy Statement on Ensuring Research Integrity in Ireland
• Ireland’s Framework of Good Practice for Research Degree Programmes, 2019
• HEA National Framework for Doctoral Education
• The Salzburg II Recommendations
• European Guidelines for validating non-formal and informal learning
• UN Sustainable Development Goals
All University of Dublin Awards (Degrees) and Trinity College Dublin Awards (Diplomas and Certificates) are mapped to the National Framework of Qualifications and Trinity is responsible for ensuring the academic standards, skills and competencies gained by graduates are aligned with the level descriptors on the NFQ, which is in turn aligned to the European Framework. This alignment facilitates mobility and recognition of graduates and qualifications.
Other key external statutory bodies whose strategies, policies and frameworks influence Universities quality assurance processes include the Higher Education Authority (HEA) e.g. Higher Education Strategy 2030 , Policies , Strategic Dialogues/Compacts and Frameworks e.g. National Framework for Doctoral Education
EUROPE
Ireland is part of the European Higher Education Area and thus Trinity's quality assurance procedures are also required to align with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area.
Ireland is also a signatory to the Bologna Process and is required to implement the outcomes of the Bologna follow-up group Communiques and Conventions .
Resources
Links to guidelines, documents and websites relating to national and international good practice and policy in the area of quality assurance and enhancement can be found below.
European Higher Education
Enhancing Quality: From Policy to Practice
Eureka Moments-Top tips for Internal Quality Assurance - EUA (2015)
ESG Part 1-Are Universities Ready - EUA (2015)
Examining Quality Culture -Part 1 Quality Assurance Processes in Higher Education Institutions
Examining Quality Culture - Part II Processes and Tools - Participation, Ownership and Bureaucracy
Ranking in institutional Strategies and Processes: Impact or Illusion?
Good Practice Guidelines
Students
Overview on Student-Centred Learning in Higher Education in Europe - European Students Union
Quest for Quality for Students-Survey on Student Perspectives - European Students Union
Student Advancement of Graduates Employability - European Students Union