External evaluation and review

NZQA is responsible for ensuring that tertiary education organisations continue to comply with the statutory policies and criteria after initial course approval and accreditation and/or registration is granted.

Engagement in periodic external evaluation and review is one of those policies. Each external evaluation and review provides an independent judgement of the educational performance and capability in self-assessment of all tertiary education organisations (TEOs).

By educational performance is meant the extent to which the educational outcomes achieved by the TEO represent quality and value for learners and the wider community.

An evaluation of educational performance involves answering questions focused primarily on the quality of learning and teaching, and the achievements of learners.

Judgements on capability in self-assessment indicate how effectively an organisation uses self-assessment information to understand performance and bring about improvement.

Through periodic external evaluation and review TEOs are held accountable to their students, employers, funders, quality assurance bodies and other interested parties. The review process also provides information to support improvement across the tertiary education sector.

Who participates in external evaluation and review?

Self assessment and external evaluation and review are requirements of course approval and accreditation (under sections 258 and 259 of the Education Act 1989) for all TEOs that are entitled to apply. These requirements are set through the course approval and accreditation policies and procedures under section 253 (1) (d) and (e) of the Act.

In addition, for registered private training establishments, the criteria and policies for their registration require self-assessment and external evaluation and review at an organisational level in addition to the individual courses they own or provide. These requirements and policies are set by NZQA under section 253 (1) (ca) of the Act.

ACE providers who are not also private training establishments do not have to undergo external evaluation and review. Instead, NZQA monitors and regulates ACE providers through the annual reports and attestations they submit. For further information see QA of ACE providers.

For more information visit NZQA Accreditation and Review