NCI successfully completed the QQI Re-Engagement Process in 2018/2019. This process resulted in NCI also successfully securing Devolved Responsibility Status from QQI for some activities.

QQI Re-Engagement Review Report

QQI Re-Engagement Action Plan

Following successful re-engagement (2018/2019),  NCI submitted its first Annual Quality Report to QQI in February 2021 spanning activities completed within the Sept 2019 – August 2020 reporting period.

AQR 2021 NCI Submission

NCI’s first Annual Dialogue Meeting with QQI was held in July 2021.

QQI Process

NCI submitted its second Annual Quality Report to QQI in February 2022 spanning activities completed within the Sept 2020 – August 2021 reporting period.

AQR 2022 NCI Submission

NCI submitted its third Annual Quality Report to QQI in February 2023 spanning activities completed within the Sept 2021 – August 2022 reporting period.

AQR 2023 NCI Submission

NCI submitted its fourth Annual Quality Report to QQI in February 2024 spanning activities completed within the Sept 2022 – August 2023 reporting period.

AQR 2024 NCI Submission

NCI will participate in cyclical Institutional Review in 2024. This review will be conducted in accordance with agreed QQI Terms of Reference for Independent and Private Providers.

NCI looks forward to hosting an external, independent Review Panel during the week commencing 2^nd December 2024. In preparation for the Panel visit, NCI will self-evaluate against a range of QQI Review Objectives and Quality criteria, aligned with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG). NCI will submit an Institutional Profile (IP) document in May 2024 and an Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER) in August 2024.

NCI previously underwent an Institutional Review in 2010

• NCI Self Evaluation Report 
• Panel Report
• NCI Response

Legislation

• Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012
• Regional Technical Colleges Act 1992
• Technological Universities Act 2018
• Universities Act 1997

Statutory QA Guidelines (QAG)

• Core QAG
• Topic-specific QAG for Providers of Statutory Apprenticeship Programmes
• Topic-specific QAG for Providers of Research Degree Programmes
• Topic-specific QAG for Blended Learning

Other QQI Policy Documents

• QQI’s Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Education and Training to International Learners, 2015
• QQI Policy Restatement on Access, Transfer and Progression, 2015

Other National/International References

• European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (2015)
• National Policy Statement on Ensuring Research Integrity in Ireland 
• Ireland’s Framework of Good Practice for Research Degree Programmes, 2019
• HEA National Framework for Doctoral Education
• The Salzburg II Recommendations
• SOLAS Code of Practice for Employers and Apprentices
• UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2021 NCI reviewed and refreshed its programme lifecycle management structure. This builds on the existing longstanding structures, as outlined in Chapter 3 of the QAES.

The refresh process initiated in 2021, continues to enhance the visibility and consistency of short and long-term decisions made on the approval of programmes for validation and revalidation in line with NCI’s mission, vision and strategies as well as evidence of programme demand, quality, viability and sustainability.

• Stage 1: Programme Design & Development
• Stage 2: Programme Validation/Revalidation
• Stage 3: Programme Delivery
• Stage 4: Programme Monitoring & Review

Programme Lifecycle Management (PLM) Executive Sub-Group Terms of Reference and Membership

NCI’s process for annual programme monitoring is outlined in Chapter 3 of the QAES

The annual monitoring process is currently under review and new templates will be launched in Autumn 2022.

All programmes at NCI undergo continuous quality improvement following initial approval – validation - by our Awarding Body – Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Annually – through the Annual Monitoring Process (currently being refreshed) each programme team considers what adjustments can be made to the programme in response to the views of colleagues internally and externally, feedback from industry, learners and graduates, and an analysis of student performance data. This is undertaken to ensure the ongoing relevance, currency and quality of the programme content, teaching, learning and assessment practices. While small changes are made annually to our programmes in response, the only way to make significant changes to a programme is through a formal re-validation process. This can be triggered at any point by the programme team if there are major changes required. However, as part of our QQI validation, we have to revalidate each programme after five years of delivery.

Data involved in Annual Programme Monitoring Process (APERS):