The outcome confirms that the University has effective mechanisms for making sure it offers academic programmes of an acceptable standard and degrees that have value.

In the course of a five-day visit in April, the team of auditors – all senior academics from other universities – looked in depth at University processes and interviewed academic and support staff and students. They analysed quality assurance systems at the institutional level and studied how they operated in a selection of academic departments.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Thomas, said: "I am delighted by the outcome of the audit and very proud of all the people who work so hard to make Bristol University synonymous with quality.

"No doubt the QAA's full report will include useful advice about how we can improve our practice, but it is great to have independent confirmation that we are offering our students something of real value."