Quality Assurance of Higher Education Institutions

A key function of the NZQA is to set the overarching statutory rules for the quality assurance of qualifications and the tertiary education organizations that provide them (under section 452 of the Education and Training Act 2020). Two quality assurance agencies implement these rules with responsibilities for separate parts of the tertiary education sector:

• NZQA quality assures tertiary education organizations in the non-university sector, that is NZIST subsidiaries, PTEs, industry training organizations (currently transitioning to Workforce Development Councils) and Wānanga.
• Universities New Zealand fulfils this function for the university sector.

 

NZQA’s quality assurance of the non-university sector The NZQA uses an Evaluative Quality Assurance Framework (EQAF) to quality assure non-university tertiary education organizations. The EQAF uses evaluation theory and practice to reach evidence-based judgements about all aspects of organizational performance and capability, with a practical focus on outcomes and key processes. Tertiary education organizations are responsible for using self-assessment to maintain and improve their own quality and outcomes for learners and wider stakeholders, especially employers.

NZQA’s external quality assurance processes for the non-university sector comprises:

1. Entry processes, including programme approval and accreditation of providers, listing qualifications on the NZQF and registration of private training establishments

• Approval is a process where a tertiary education organization seeks permission to develop or offer a new quality assured education product
• Accreditation is a process where a tertiary education organization seeks permission to use or deliver an NZQA-approved programme.

2. Maintaining quality, including qualification consistency reviews, moderation of assessment and monitoring of degree programmes.
3. External evaluation and review, which uses evaluation to judge the quality and value of education delivered by non-university tertiary education organizations.
4. Managing risk, including rigorous processes to investigate and manage risks to the quality of education. NZQA helps tertiary education providers to deal with minor risk issues. If the situation is more serious, NZQA can act (including statutory action) to protect learners and resolve the situation.

 

Te Hono o te Kahurangi (THotK) quality assurance provides quality assurance for tertiary education organizations delivering qualifications or programmes based on mātauranga Māori (the knowledge originating from Māori ancestors, including the Māori world view and perspectives) or where the organizational approach is based on mātauranga Māori.

 

Universities New Zealand/ Te Pōkai Tara is the peak body for all eight universities in New Zealand. Universities New Zealand is a statutory body responsible for the quality assurance of universities.

There are two bodies overseeing the quality assurance of universities: Universities New Zealand’s Committee on University Academic Programmes (CUAP) and the Academic Quality Agency for New Zealand Universities (AQA). CUAP is responsible for qualification and regulation approval, accreditation and programme moderation procedures across universities. The Academic Quality Agency supports universities in achieving excellence in research and teaching, through regular audits and promoting quality improvement practices across the sector.

 

The Tertiary Education Commission/ Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua is the Crown Entity that monitors the performance of the tertiary education sector.