Internal quality reviews

As a Designated Awarding Body, RCSI is required to review the effectiveness of its internal quality assurance (QA) policies and procedures through cyclical review of Schools, Faculties and professional support units, including international programmes and branch campuses. In conformity with the requirements of the relevant legislation and standards, these QA reviews are characterised by the degree to which self-assessment drives the review process and the overall focus on quality enhancement.

The QEO operates a system of ‘rolling’ internal quality reviews under policies and procedures which are aligned with guidance from QQI and with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European higher education area. These reviews run in four parallel cycles:

• Internal QA reviews of Schools within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Internal QA reviews of Postgraduate/Professional faculties
• Internal QA reviews of professional support units
• Internal QA reviews of overseas branch campuses and programmes

The internal quality assurance review process involves three distinct phases encompassing an approximately six-month time period.

• Phase 1 – Self-assessment (2-3 months)
• Phase 2 – External validation (4-6 weeks)
• Phase 3 – Quality improvement planning (6-8 weeks)

Further details of the review process can be found in the documents below.