Simply the best!

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has secured an exceptional outcome in its recent Higher Education Review by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), becoming the first university to receive two commended judgements.

This rigorous independent review is designed to check that the University meets the expectations of the UK higher education sector. Importantly, the QAA found that LJMU not only met these standards, but exceeded them, securing an unprecedented two commended judgements, for the quality of our student learning opportunities and for the enhancement of student learning opportunities. Nine areas of good practice were also identified. This is the highest recognition that any university has received from the QAA to date.

Commenting on the findings, LJMU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nigel Weatherill said: “This is an extraordinary and outstanding result for LJMU, particularly given our size and complexity. It reflects the hard work and commitment of staff across the University, both prior to and during the Review itself.”

LJMU can now display the QAA Quality Mark, indicating to UK and international students that the University meets national requirements for standards and quality. However, the result is about much more than being able to use the charter mark, as Professor Weatherill explained: “This is a resounding success for the University, and our staff, students and partners, who can have the utmost confidence that we deliver an exceptional learning experience, and one that ranks amongst the very best in the UK. Furthermore, when combined with our successful performance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), it provides a solid, evidence-based trajectory of our sustained institutional success, giving us an impressive platform from which we can position the University during the next stage of our development."

LJMU Chancellor, the Rt Hon Sir Brian Leveson, President of the Queen's Bench Division Royal Courts of Justice, added: “This is a fantastic result and very well deserved. Our students and all our staff can take immense pride that LJMU is setting standards that others will find hard to beat. It is fast becoming one of the great modern universities of our time."

The QAA confirmed the quality and standards of provision at LJMU following its review in February 2016. A team of QAA reviewers visited the University and judged that its academic standards and the quality of information about its learning opportunities all meet UK expectations. They judged that both the quality of its student learning opportunities and the enhancement of its student learning opportunities are commended. The review identified a number of examples of good practice. These include: 

• the consistent and effective monitoring and review of programmes that assures the quality and standards of awards
• the comprehensive ways in which the University obtains, monitors, shares and acts upon student feedback in order to improve student engagement and the learning experience
• the University’s integrated approach to employability that enables students to better develop their graduate potential

QAA's Higher Education Reviews are carried out by experts from other universities and colleges, and also include student reviewers. The team that reviewed LJMU comprised Emeritus Professor Andrew Downton (De Montfort University), Dr Simon Jones (London Metropolitan University), Ryan Marshall (student reviewer), Dr Carol A Vielba (Cass Business School City of London), Sophie White (Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine) and Dr David Wright (Bangor University).

You can read our latest review report here