The Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) provide the framework for internal and external quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area. A fundamental aim of the ESG is to contribute to the common understanding of quality assurance for learning and teaching across borders and among all stakeholders. The ESG are integral to the regulatory frameworks in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and are often referenced in partnership arrangements for UK providers seeking to work with European Partners.

QAA’s review methods are compliant with these standards, as are the reports we publish. Our International Quality Accreditation benchmarks institutions against the 10 standards set out in Part 1 of the ESG as part of the review process, and our International Programme Accreditation criteria and guidelines have been mapped against them. The Principles and Key Practices of the 2024 Quality Code have also been mapped to the ESG, with the accompanying Quality Code Advice and Guidance providing practical advice, reflective questions and resources to support institutions with meeting the Principles (and hence the standards of the ESG).