TWO EUROPEAN RESPONSES TO ASSURE QUALITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Looking at the “European Higher Education Area” in terms of their different quality assurance systems one can clearly identify a great diversity. This situation reflects the creativity of all countries to establish a system compatible with their own cultural, economic and social back-ground. This article shall highlight examples of two European countries, Germany and the United Kingdom, and their efforts to develop a comprehensive quality assurance system. A systematic and historical approach of these two nations will be based on literature research, scientific studies and personal experience. The article will provide a general perspective on two different national quality assurance systems as well as their current political discussions drawn from an Austrian perspective. The external view but nonetheless European perspective shall maintain a more objective review and assessment of these countries. Although there are diversified quality assurance systems all over Europe, there is a need and a will to cooperate between this diversity while still keeping the individuality of the own country. Thus, I am interested in the development, the challenges as well as problems of these systems and possible ways for improvement.