This study aims to investigate Turkish higher education students' participation behaviours in quality assurance systems. The data were collected from 113 students through a semi-structured qualitative questionnaire developed based on the theory of planned behaviour. The data were analysed under three main themes: feelings, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. According to the results, students generally had positive opinions concerning their feelings about the quality assurance system and had positive subjective norms. However, the results for these two aspects indicated implementation-based passive participation rather than decision-based active participation. Challenges in behavioural control and ways of coping with these challenges were observed. The overall results has revealed the behavioural basis of student participation in quality assurance processes. In addition, the results can contribute to policy improvement processes in the higher education system and quality assurance activities for higher education institutions.