Internal quality assurance of graduate engineering programmes in Russia—perspectives of programme directors

Quality in Higher Education. 2025. Vol. 31. No. 3. P. 380–401.

Korchak A., Akhmedjanova D., Khavenson T.

This study investigates how internal quality and quality assurance are perceived and operated by Russian graduate engineering programmes directors. Based on semi-structured interviews (n = 15) and thematic analysis, four themes are revealed: the managerial role, with varying levels of directors’ proactivity; students’ intake quality, ranging from passive to proactive approaches; the managerial insight, represented by a combination of internal perceptions and different metrics and quality assurance practices, including student feedback, personal interactions and handling complaints. It was identified that quality, when matched to Harvey and Green’s (1993) conceptualisation, is viewed by directors as ‘exceptional’ across all the approaches, whereas quality as ‘fit for purpose’ is highlighted less frequently. This study contributes to discussions on quality culture and quality conceptualisations in contexts where engineering education is prioritised and heavily regulated. The findings may inform policymakers in similar contexts and guide university managers in fostering a quality culture within their institutions.

Keywords: quality culture, engineering education in Russia, engineering education, internal quality assurance, graduate education, quality conceptualisation