International institutional accreditation

In the past, many higher education institutions (HEIs) have created a quality management system (QMS) of their own so that they can monitor the quality of their study programmes. Many HEIs have chosen this path because of their need to be accountable to the state and society at large. In order to underline the interconnectedness of these elements, most QMS are based on one or more cycle(s) such as, for example, the PDCA cycle. 

EVALAG offers assessment procedures for international institutional accreditation on condition the HEIs has a working quality management system in place. The assessment procedure aims at finding out in how far the quality management system of the HEI is in line with the ESG and at assessing the core functions of higher education institutions. For the assessment, EVALAG uses its criteria for institutional accreditation which cover the strategy and governance of an institution, its core functions and cross cutting issues.

The criteria for an international institutional accreditation are grouped into the following categories:

• Institutional profile and strategy
• Governance
• Resources
• Teaching and learning
• Research
• Institution and society
• Quality assurance

The procedure will be carried out using the peer review methodology with an international expert team. Based on a self-evaluation report the expert team will assess the institution during a site visit and make an accreditation recommendation. In case of a successful assessment procedure, the HEI is awarded the EVALAG label for international institutional accreditation. The assessment report will be published on the EVALAG website.

The aim of the assessment of a quality management system in teaching and learning in preparation for the university's application for an international institutional accreditation with the Accreditation Commission is to find out in how there is an internal quality management system in the higher education institution. The assessment procedure analyses its functioning.

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 is a member of ENQA and it is registered in EQAR.

Our understanding of service

• Intensive and binding support of the process with two contact persons
• 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 expert groups with comprehensive experience in international accrediation

Our quality standards

Your university is our focus in every procedure! In addition, we attach great importance to ...

• providing competent and goal-orientated support during the assessment procedure,
• the organization of the procedure in a way that conserves resources as much as possible,
• incorporating your individual concerns into the process,
• reviewers groups who support you as "critical friends" in the further development of your quality management system and to be at your side for further strategic questions.