Oxford University has made improvements to its teaching provision and management structure, according to an independent report.

An Institutional Audit by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) -- the equivalent of a school Ofsted report -- has been published following a visit to the university in March.

The inspection scheme was introduced in 2002 to monitor the quality of teaching and degrees at all higher education institutions across the UK and provide public information on the quality of the opportunities available to students.

An audit team, made up of external academics, met students and staff during the visit. It identified several areas of good practice and made suggestions for improvements.

According to a report of the team's findings, the university has improved the way it is managed and has enhanced teaching provision within the colleges.

The team found that a careful balance between teaching and research was being met by academics and that the university was successfully gathering and acting upon feedback from students. They also praised the high level of resources available to students.

Suggested areas for improvement include changing the way laboratory, statistical and IT skills are tested.

At the moment students are given a pass or fail, but the report recommends introducing a grading system.

A better approach to staff development was needed and the university was advised to consider providing a more consistent support service for students.

Overall, the report concluded that "broad confidence can be placed in the soundness of the university's current and likely future management of the quality of its programmes and the academic standards of its awards".

Dr Bill Macmillan, pro-vice-Chancellor (academic), said: ''I am particularly pleased that the auditors have recognised the great care and attention that we give to educating our students."

The university was visited as part of the first round of audits, due to be completed by the end of 2005.

Audits will be taking place every six years.

A copy of the report is available at www.qaa.ac.uk