Quality

USQ is responsible for setting standards in learning and teaching that are aligned with national guidelines. It does this within the framework of the University's:

• USQ Strategic Plan 2009 - 2013 (Learning and Teaching: pp. 12-13)
• Quality Policy 
• Learning and Teaching Policies (USQ Policy Library)
• Flexible Learning Framework (PDF* 225kb)
• Minimum Standards for Courses on USQStudyDesk (PDF* 28kb) 
• USQ Learning and Teaching Plan 2009 - 2013 (PDF* 23kb) 
• USQ's BUILD process (refer to dotpoint 7)

*This file is in Portable Document Format (PDF) which requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy of Acrobat Reader may be obtained from Adobe.

Benchmarking policy

Benchmarking in learning and teaching is an evidence-based  process that encourages comparisons with other organisations to enhance good practice. At USQ benchmarking is guided by:

• Quality Management Policy (USQ Policy Library, section 9.2, pp. 9-10)  
• Benchmarking Framework (PDF* 100kb)    

USQ Guidelines for good teaching

USQ is committed to quality teaching to facilitate high quality outcomes for students. The USQ Guidelines for Teaching are designed to synthesise expectations about what good teaching means at USQ and ensure they accord with USQ policies and procedures.

USQ's standards in learning and teaching are frameworked by national and sectoral guidelines that provide minimum standards against which the University must report. USQ's standards are thus benchmarked against Australian and international reference points:

Australian reference points

General

• Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
• Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA)
• Higher Education Support Act 2003 and associated schedules and regulations
• Australian Qualifications Framework
• Universities Australia 

Accreditation

• MCEECDYA (Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs, formerly MCEETYA) 2007 - National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes 
• MCEECDYA, 2005 (formerly MCEETYA) - Good Practice Principles for Credit Transfer and Articulation from VET to Higher Education 
• AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) 2011 - University Credit Transfer Guidelines 

Internationalisation quality agencies

• Universities Australia 2005 - Provision of Education to International Students: Code of Practice and Guidelines for Australian Universities
• CAUL (Council of Australian University Librarians) - Best Practice Case Studies - Offshore & Onshore International Students and Distance Education  
• Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) and associated and subordinate legislation and regulations, including the National Code

International reference points

• European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education 2005 - Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area 
• UNESCO/OECD 2005, Guidelines on Quality Provision in Cross-border Higher Education 

Quality audits

The Australian government requires that universities be accountable for standards. Accordingly, USQ was audited in 2002 and 2009 by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA). The 2009 focus was on USQ's quality processes, internationalisation, and program design and delivery.

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) was established this year to build on the strong foundation established by AUQA and operate with an extended brief.

TEQSA will oversee the development of strengthened quality assurance arrangements and protect the overall quality of the Australian higher education system. It will accredit providers, evaluate the performance of institutions and programs, encourage best practice, de-clutter current regulatory arrangements and provide greater national consistency.