System accreditation in Germany
The aim of the assessment of a quality management system in teaching and learning in preparation for the university's application for system accreditation with the Accreditation Council is the evaluation of its performance in terms of guaranteeing the quality of the subject matter and content of study programmes and the fulfilment of the formal criteria by an external group of experts, based on the State Treaty on the Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions[PDF] and the associated ordinance of the state in which the university is located, as well as any other regulations of the respective federal state.
The autonomy of the university is central to the procedure, especially with regard to the organisation of its quality management system. As diverse as the universities are, there are different processes and procedures for the internal review of the quality of the study programmes.
EVALAG has been carrying out system accreditation procedures (in Germany) since 2009; we have successfully accompanied more than 15 universities on their way to system (re)accreditation.
Our understanding of service
- Intensive and binding support of the process with two contact persons
- Consideration and application of all legal requirements
- Customisation to your specific QM system
- Realisation of a reliable schedule with, if desired, sufficient leeway for further development
- Reviewing your documents and checking them for formal accuracy and completeness
- Compilation of customised expert groups who have experienced system accreditation at your universities themselves
Our quality standards
Your university is our focus in every procedure! In addition, we attach great importance to ...
- we provide you with competent and goal-orientated support during the assessment procedure,
- together we organise the procedure in a way that conserves resources as much as possible,
- we incorporate your individual concerns into the process,
- we put together expert groups to support you as "critical friends" in the further development of your quality management system and to be at your side for further strategic questions.
Get in touch with us!
Foundation Director
Head of the Department for Accreditation, Assessment and Certification
Procedure
Your QM system is as individual as your university. This is why we attach particular importance to a comprehensive initial consultation to get to know you, your needs and the specifics of your university.
Regardless of whether you use programme accreditation for the internal quality assurance of your study programmes, work with an advisory board model or take alternative paths, we will support you in your project and its implementation!
In accordance with the MRVO, the system accreditation procedure provides for a self-evaluation report, generally two on-site visits and an accreditation report to be prepared by the experts.
A development-orientated procedure is important to EVALAG. For this reason, the assessment procedure of the quality management system in teaching and learning for the application for reaccreditation is organised in a multi-stage process, unlike the procedure for initial accreditation.
Would you like to find out more? Let's have a non-binding discussion about your university and your ideas for organising the procedure.
You can get an initial impression of how system reaccreditation procedures are organised here, for example
Further services in the area of system accreditation
Do you want to use the assessment project for internal development?
Do you need support in realising your internal projects?
Do you want to use the assessment procedure to test new processes?
We turn the process into your individual project!
Continuing academic education
System accreditation procedures focus singularly on quality management systems in teaching and learning. The trend, which has been noticeable for over two years, of universities expanding their "performance contribution" is particularly evident in assessment procedures of this type. Established processes and structures are being transferred and adapted to the area of academic continuing education. In this way, the area of teaching and learning is being expanded to include the increasingly important area of continuing academic education in order to strengthen universities for the challenges facing society, as also stated by the HRK in 2021. The assessment procedures for quality management systems in the area of teaching and learning have the potential to also take continuing academic education into account. This gives the procedures a holistic character, as is common in Austrian audits or institutional accreditations in Switzerland, for example.
EVALAG has almost 10 years of broad expertise in academic continuing education - both in setting up structures and in certification. We already carry out system accreditation procedures in which continuing academic education is integrated, e.g. implicitly as an accompanying certification procedure of the submission/department for continuing academic education or decidedly in the form of an extension of the inspection.
The format of the inclusion depends on the needs and requirements of the university. Let's think big together!
European University Alliance
Assessment procedures for quality management systems in teaching and learning are based on standards that are established in Germany. The narrow focus is reflected in the specific requirements of the various countries (keyword: teacher training). However, universities also face international competition. It is always necessary to look beyond the boundaries of the system, including the area of teaching and learning.
EVALAG is also involved internationally and has proven expertise in the topics and developments of the European University Alliance (EUA). EVALAG acts in a forward-looking manner, adequately incorporates current and prospective trends and includes self-defined goals of the universities. EVALAG also sees cross-institutional and transnational processes and structures, such as the creation of the European University of Technology (EUt+), as a profitable integration into the process.
Dr Dagmar Röttsches, contact person for international affairs, member of the ENQA steering committee and proven EUA expert, will be happy to talk to you!
Let's make the best possible use of the procedures together!
We can do more than just accreditation - we design.
For over 20 years, we have been helping to shape the national and international field of quality management in the higher education and science system - and we are more than just an accreditation agency! EVALAG has a wide range of services, specialised and target group-specific staff and specialists in many areas. We are involved in current discussions and developments, e.g. through membership of quality advisory boards, scientific advisory boards in the field of teacher training at universities and through working groups of the Accreditation Council or ENQA.
Find out more about us, our organisation and our team.
Criteria and standards for system accreditation in Germany
The legal basis for all assessment procedures in the area of quality management systems in teaching and learning in Germany is the State Treaty (State Treaty on the Accreditation of Studies)which regulates the organisation of a joint accreditation system for quality assurance in teaching and learning at German universities.
The Model Law Ordinance (MRVO) in accordance with Article 4 Paragraphs 1 - 4 of the Interstate Treaty on the Accreditation of Studies (resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 7 December 2017) forms the common, uniform procedural basis in all federal states and defines the procedural details so that nationwide comparability is guaranteed.
The Accreditation Council (AR)decides on the assessment procedures in regular meetings. EVALAG carries out the assessment procedure and submits an accreditation report to the Accreditation Council, which serves as the basis for the decision.
Helpful documents & links
We have compiled some other important and helpful documents and links (without any claim to completeness) as initial information for you. Please check that the information is up to date on the original websites of the institutions concerned.
Accreditation Council (AR)
- Legal ordinances of the Länder pursuant to Article 4 (1 - 4) of the Study Accreditation Treaty
staatsvertrag (Resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 07.12.2017) - Grid for accreditation reports
Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK)
- Common content requirements for the subject sciences and subject didactics in teacher training (resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 16 October 2008 in the version of 16 March 2017) →PDF
- Qualifications Framework for German Higher Education Qualifications (Resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 16 February 2017) →PDF
German Rectors' Conference (HRK)
- HRK: Guidelines on the appointment of experts and the composition of expert groups for accreditation procedures. Resolution of the 23rd General Assembly of the HRK on 14 November 2017, updated at the 24th General Assembly of the HRK on 24 April 2018 →PDF
Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG)
- Standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) - Standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) →PDF
German Council of Science and Humanities (WR)
- Stocktaking and recommendations on degree programme-related cooperation: Franchise, validation and credit transfer model" (from 20.01.2017, Drs. 5952-17):
Link extern - Recommendations on the relationship between higher education and the labour market from 2015:
External link - Science Council position paper on strategies for higher education teaching (April 2017):
external link
Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK)
- Common content requirements for the subject sciences and subject didactics in teacher training (resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 16 October 2008 in the version of 16 March 2017) →PDF
- Qualifications Framework for German Higher Education Qualifications (Resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 16 February 2017) →PDF
European Approach
- Europäischer Ansatz zur Qualitätssicherung von Joint-Programmes/European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes (EA)
Links
- Accreditation Council Foundation
www.akkreditierungsrat.de - Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs / KMK
www.kmk.org - German Rectors' Conference / HRK
www.hkr.de - German Council of Science and Humanities
www.wissenschaftsrat.de
Do you need advice?
We will be happy to advise you on questions relating to
organisational development, system accreditation or
other areas.