Warwick recently received the results from its Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) audit, which highlighted a number of areas of good practice in teaching and learning.

The QAA provides an independent assessment of how higher education institutions in the UK maintain their academic standards and quality. Warwick’s audit took place over three days in October and five days in November last year. Auditors spoke to 24 students from across the University and 35 members of staff.

The report identified a number of areas of good practice including:

• the student representation framework, including the student-staff liaison committee system, the support for, and training of, student representatives, and the committee portal and handbook
• the academic and support infrastructure and policies which support the enhancement of undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research student skills development
• the comprehensive and thorough preparation for, and support of, study abroad
• the opportunities afforded through the Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme and the Reinvention Centre for Undergraduate Research for undergraduate students to become involved in research activities
• the comprehensive information, including academic statistics, available for staff and students online
• the student experience provided by the Centre for Lifelong Learning and the University's commitment to opportunities for part-time students.

Warwick responded to these comments, highlighting a number of other innovative and exciting developments which had been mentioned in the report:

• the development by the Library of innovative facilities to support learning and teaching - the Learning Grid, the BioMed Grid, the Teaching Grid and the Wolfson Research Exchange
• our initiatives to develop students' awareness of good academic practice and issues of plagiarism
• the University's clear commitment to widening participation
• our very successful Orientation programme for international students
• our dynamic e-learning environment.

The final report stated that the QAA had confidence in the academic standards of the awards offered at the University and the quality of learning opportunities available to students.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Michael Whitby, said he was very pleased with the outcome of the audit. He said: "It is a very positive report which reflects well on the quality of the education and experience offered by Warwick, something we can all be proud of."

To view the full QAA report, visit http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/reports/institutional/Warwick09/RG409Warwick.pdf