Understanding Internal Quality Assurance in Higher Education

This chapter explores the evolution and conceptual underpinnings of Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) in higher education, emphasizing its critical role in ensuring institutional accountability and enhancement amidst the global massification of higher education since the 1960s. It highlights the absence of a universal IQA definition, attributing this to diverse interpretations shaped by regional, cultural, and regulatory contexts. The chapter examines external drivers, such as regulatory frameworks and competitive pressures, and internal factors, including institutional diversity and stakeholder engagement, that influence IQA design and implementation. Drawing on the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and its Standards and Guidelines (ESG), as well as experiences from post-Soviet states, it underscores the interplay between internal and external quality assurance systems. The chapter identifies common IQA patterns while acknowledging the need for context-specific approaches, positioning IQA as an integral management tool and a joint stakeholder endeavor. By analyzing global trends and local adaptations, particularly in transitioning systems, it provides a framework for understanding IQA as a multidimensional, stakeholder-driven process essential for institutional autonomy and global competitiveness.