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Your assertion that private colleges seeking designation for students supported by the Student Loans Company will ¡°escape full QAA scrutiny¡± underplays the thoroughness of the reviews that the Quality Assurance Agency will be carrying out on these colleges (¡°For-profits will have to try harder to become eligible for SLC cash¡±, 2 May).

The QAA review process for alternative providers will be robust, proportionate and based on the core principles of institutional review.

Behind all QAA review methods lie the same UK Quality Code for Higher Education as the essential reference point, and the same method of peer review by academics and students.

The essential point, not least for students and the public, is that quality and standards at designated providers will be safeguarded by the same system as other UK institutions offering higher education.

Anthony McClaran
Chief executive
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education