Over the past three decades, the development of quality assurance (QA) systems has become one of the most important higher education reforms worldwide. Beginning in the mid-1980s, most countries started to set up national QA agencies. A common QA model, consisting of a combination of self-assessment and peer review of study programmes and/or higher education institutions and based on pre-established standards and quality criteria, has emerged under the influence of international cooperation. At the beginning of the 21st century, EQA has faced a number of challenges and undergone transformations. Increasing criticism has been levelled at the often-bureaucratic approaches taken to the process elements of EQA. This publication takes stock of innovative approaches that have emerged as a response to these criticisms. It therefore provides guidance to the QA community in higher education on how to adapt QA to a rapidly changing sector.