Governance Structure
ISET maintains a clear separation between academic governance and commercial operations. Academic standards are set by academics, not by those with revenue responsibility.
Four Governance Bodies
Each body has published terms of reference, defined membership criteria, and clear reporting lines. Together they ensure academic integrity at every level.
Academic Board
Ultimate authority on all academic matters: curriculum standards, assessment frameworks, learning outcomes, and pedagogic direction.
Independent academics, industry practitioners, and student representatives.
Operates independently from commercial decision-making. No revenue targets, no marketing influence on academic standards.
Quality Assurance Committee
Monitors programme delivery standards, reviews student feedback, commissions external moderation, and ensures continuous improvement.
Academic Board members, partner university QA representatives, and external quality experts.
Reports directly to Academic Board, not to executive leadership.
Curriculum Review Panel
Annual review of all programme content for currency, relevance, and alignment with industry needs. Recommends updates to the Academic Board.
Subject matter experts, industry advisory representatives, and programme directors from partner universities.
Operates on an annual cycle with published terms of reference.
External Examiner Network
Independent verification that assessment standards are appropriate, consistent, and comparable with equivalent programmes elsewhere.
Senior academics from non-partner institutions with relevant subject expertise.
Appointed by the Academic Board. No commercial relationship with ISET.
Two Pillars, One Institution
Academic Pillar
- Academic Board (supreme academic authority)
- Quality Assurance Committee
- Curriculum Review Panel
- External Examiner Network
- Programme Directors (at partner universities)
- Student Representatives
Commercial Pillar
- Executive Leadership
- Partnership Development
- Intelligence & Technology
- Marketing & Student Recruitment Support
- Operations & Finance
- Advisory Council (strategic guidance)
Governing Principles
Academic Independence
Academic standards are set by academics, not commercial interests. The Academic Board has final authority on all matters of curriculum, assessment, and quality.
Transparent Decision-Making
Governance decisions are documented, with published minutes and terms of reference. Partner universities have visibility into how academic decisions are made.
Proportionate Regulation
ISET designs curriculum; partner universities deliver and assess. Governance reflects this division. We do not impose unnecessary bureaucracy on partners who have their own robust QA systems.
Student Representation
Student voice is embedded at every governance level. Programme boards include student representatives; feedback loops are formal and acted upon.
Continuous Improvement
Governance is not static. Annual effectiveness reviews ensure structures remain fit for purpose as the institution grows.
How Partner University Governance Integrates
Partner universities retain full academic sovereignty over programmes delivered under their name. ISET’s governance frameworks are complementary, not substitutional. Where a partner university’s own QA requirements exceed ISET’s, the higher standard prevails.
Joint Programme Boards are established for each partner relationship, with representation from both ISET’s Academic Board and the partner’s own governance structure. These boards meet termly and report to both institutions.
ISET’s governance framework is designed to give partner universities confidence that academic standards are protected, transparent, and continuously improved.