In Europe there is no common QA framework for the delivery of guidance. A gap
therefore exists between the priorities stated by policy-makers regarding the importance
of establishing a high-quality system of university guidance services (CEDEFOP, 2009)
and the current reality of guidance systems, which emphasises quality measured in terms
of customer satisfaction mainly through customer surveys (Plant, 2004). To close this
gap, a broader research approach is needed which covers wider aspects of quality in
guidance beyond that currently measured and studied.
The analysis in this article offers new insights into how quality issues have been
approached by some European universities. Specifically, I have studied the quality
approaches used in four university guidance services in the UK, France and Spain and
focused on the use of standards, guidelines or models. Several lessons can be drawn from
the case study findings.