In order to ensure that this objective is attained, the UK operates a unique system of quality assurance which is directly linked to funding at the further and higher education levels and open to public scrutiny. The QAA works closely with the quality assessment committees of the three funding councils for England, Wales and Scotland, and with the Department of Education, Northern Ireland. The Funding Councils in England, Wales and Scotland and the Department of Education in Northern Ireland run the Research Assessment Exercise, the main purpose of which is to improve the quality of research through the selective allocation of funds.
Institutions conducting the best research receive a larger proportion of the grant.
The last was in 1996. The next will be in 2001. Assessment is by peer review by panels of experts covering 69 different subject areas. For details click here Return to the Higher Education page. The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for educational and cultural relations.