Approval of the Accreditation Board of the Albanian Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education (ASCAL).

The Albanian Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education (ASCAL) must aprove the request of the higher education institution to be accredited by a foreign QA agency.

(unknown)

Automatic. The accreditation results are listed in the State Accreditation Register.

Registration on EQAR is sufficient.

The legislative framework explicitly allowing higher education institutions to choose a Quality Assurance Agency is the Government Decision No. 301 dated on March 19, 2014, Government Decision No. 978 dated June 30, 2011 ameding the Regulation of State Accreditation of the Educational Institutions providing professional education programs in the Republic of Armenia and their specializations (bullets 11 and 19).

...

registration on EQAR; QA agencies have to also submit an expression of interest to the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research.

compliance with the criteria by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research.​

• Public universities: yes.
• Universities of applied science: yes, after having been re-accredited by the national Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria)
  
• Private higher education institutions & university colleges of teacher education: no.  

See point §19 of the Act on Quality Assurance in Higher Education – HS-QSG

• Public universities: yes (due to “self-accrediting” status of their programmes they are able to employ the European Approach)
• Universities of applied sciences, private higher education institutions, yes. If such a degree programme is offered as a joint study programme with one or several recognised foreign post-secondary educational institutions, AQ Austria may employ the European Approach or recognise the procedure (see the 2021 amendment to the Act on Quality Assurance in Higher Education – HS-QSG, § 23 4b and § 24 5b).
  

methodological check re. assessment report by NVAO

registration on EQAR or formal agreement with NVAO outlining requirements to meet the ESG

own criteria

for external quality assurance at programme level

AEQES reviews the request of the higher education institution to recognise the programme evaluations carried out by the foreign agency; external QA carried out by EQAR-registered agencies go through a simplified procedure.

EQAR registration

own criteria (compatible with AEQES and the ESG)

for all periodic programme evaluations

While Bosnian and Herzegovinian higher education institutions may employ the European Approach for the quality assurance of their joint programmes (on the basis of agreement that will be signed with partner institutions within the consortium), the reviewed programme will not be included into the State register of accredited higher education institutions and study programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

accreditation is given by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA) based on the results of the assessment.

registration on EQAR (Higher Education Act, Art. 79a) 

Following the adoption of the Act on the Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Science" (Official Gazette 151/2022, link below) Croatian higher education institutions offering joint study programmes with a foreign higher education institution have to be accredited in accordance with the European Approach (EA). In case the EA is carried out by a foreign EQAR-registered QA agency, the Croatian higher education institution shall, following the accreditation procedure, submit the report and decision on the conducted accreditation procedure to the Croatian QA agency (ASHE). If the decision on accreditation is positive, ASHE shall recognise the decision and issue a licence for the delivery of the joint study programme.

final decision is to be taken by the Cypriot Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education based on the outcomes of the external QA activity carried out by the EQAR-registered agency.

EQAR registration and prior consent needs to be obtained from the Cyprus national QA agency.

All higher education institutions may choose an EQAR-registered agency for their external evaluation (but not accreditation). The higher education institution is expected to obtain the prior consent of the National Agency (CYQAA) before the procedure. 

Higher education institutions may use the European Approach 

The results of quality evaluations of the higher education institution carried out by an EQAR-registered agency may be used in the consideration of a decision by the National Accreditation Bureau (see below Section 84 of the Higher Education Act, modified as of 2018)

The validity of a foreign accreditation will be considered for degree programmes that are to be carried out in cooperation with Czech higher education institutions.

Danish higher education institutions are able to choose an EQAR-registered agency for the accreditation of Danish education programmes offered abroad and the accreditation of professional education programmes offered by transnational providers

The Accreditation Council may choose an EQAR-registered agency, other than the Danish Accreditation Institution for the preparation of accreditation reports (see below the Accreditation Act, Chapter 2, § 3) or accept an accreditation report from another internationally recognised quality assurance agency at the request of a higher education institution.

The European Approach is available to all higher education institutions.

• Joint programmes can be accredited by all “internationally recognised” agencies. If an agency is registered on EQAR, it is automatically considered “internationally recognised”; otherwise, it has to prove this in an individual procedure to the Danish authorities.

The review report prepared by the foreign agency is submitted to EKKA who takes a decision on accreditation.

the agency must be approved by the Estonian Higher Education Quality Agency (EKKA)' council and EQAR registration is preferable.

The use of the European Approach is possible as a simplified procedure for both initial and re-assessment of joint study programmes, under certain conditions i.e. the joint programme has previously undergone an assessment by an EQAR registered agency or the other higher education partners have the right to provide instruction in the corresponding study programme group and academic cycle. EKKA will assess if the eligibility criteria are met and if no substantial shortcomings have been identified in the assessment report. See the requirements listed under points 37.2.1-37.2.4 on joint study programme (see linked guideline below). 

treated in the same way as the evaluations carried out by the national QA agency (FINEEC)

none

Generally yes, but based on a specific national regulations.

Yes, due to “self-accrediting” status for their programmes, higher education institutions can employ the European Approach.

HCERES checks the external quality assurance activity, whether it corresponds to the national qualifications framework and whether the foreign quality assurance has effectively involved students in the review.

N/A

The European Approach could be used subject to the general conditions for recognising QA results of EQAR-registered agencies, as described above.

The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement of Georgia (NCEQE) checks the compatibility of the evaluation with National Standards and Procedures and recognises the accreditation granted by other foreign QA agencies, provided the agency meets these conditions and if the condition of recognition is indicated in the international agreement. The regulations and conditions are outlined in Art. 28 of the Accreditation Provision approved by Order N65/n (see link below).

Accreditation of higher education programmes can be done by a foreign QA agency. See regulation linked below (Article 28 of the Accreditation Provision).

When the HE institutions applies for accreditation of joint programmes, run by local and foreign institutions, the national QA agency (NCEQE) may apply the European Approach. When the local HEI teams up with the international partner university to establish a joint educational programme the draft agreement of institutions implementing the joint higher educational programme has to be 'pre-approved’ by the national QA body, NCEQE who will also check the content and implementation of the joint programme, the rule for awarding a joint academic degree and enrolment regulations. See further details under the links below within the Rule for the Draft Agreement of a Joint Programme and the Law of Georgia on Educational Quality Enhancement (Art. 19/3) and Order №65 / N of the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia (Art. 28/2)

Applications for program and system accreditation must be addressed to the German Accreditation Council.

Admission by the German Accreditation Council (GAC) is based on EQAR-registration

All German higher education institutions can opt for programme accreditation of joint degrees by an EQAR-registered agency using the European Approach, however not for joint programmes leading to double or multiple degrees.

approval of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (decision of the Evaluation and Accreditation Council)

 use of the national standards  

The evaluation on the quality of the programmes of studies or of the internal quality assurance system of the institution may be replaced by the evaluation/certification carried out by of a foreign quality assurance agency which is internationally recognized (see Law 4653/2020 on the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education, article 12, paragraph 8).

In Greece, joint programmes offered by Greek higher education institutions participating within the European University Alliance are expected to the reviewed following the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes, without any additional national criteria (law 4957/2022, art. 111, par.3).

• The European Approach is not available to higher education institutions in the country.

If the recognition procedure results in a positive outcome the institutional accreditation follows the normal HAC procedures.

According to the Higher Education Act, Hungarian higher education institutions may choose a quality assurance agency that works in line with the ESG for the establishment of doctoral schools and in cases involving the launch of a bachelor, master or tertiary vocational programmes.

The Hungarian Accreditation Committee (MAB) may also consider institutional accreditations by EQAR-registered agencies as equivalent to its own accreditations.

A joint programme where a Hungarian higher education institution is participating may be accredited though the use of the European Approach for the Quality of Joint Programmes. The joint programme shall be approved by law in the same way as if it was accredited by the national QA agency (HAC).

A number of universities have self-awarding powers giving them the possibility to validate and award their own qualifications. They can employ the European Approach for the quality assurance of joint programmes. Providers with awarding powers delegated to them by QQI i.e. institutes of technology may also employ this approach.

automatic.

Foreign agencies have to be listed in the national Kazakh register and/or be a recognised entity within one of OECD member states and/or be registered in EQAR.

The agencies have to also meet the following requirements:

1. to have the resources necessary to fulfil the obligations on accreditation of educational organisations, educational programmes;

2. to have the necessary staffing;

3. to have at least one Kazakhstani expert within the expert commission of foreign accreditation bodies;

4. to have accreditation standards (regulations) that establish requirements for the accreditation procedure.​

The higher education institution or college shall submit the assessment of the study direction to the Committee for the Accreditation of Studies, who will make the final decision (to accept or refuse) the accreditation of the study direction.

Registration on EQAR is sufficient.

In August 2017 Latvian government has approved an amendment to the Law on HEIs (ratified by the Latvian parliament in 2018) to allow EQAR-registered agencies to carry out external QA within the country.

​

The final decision is taken by the Government based on the result of the evaluation.

Registration on EQAR is sufficient.

For the programme accreditation of a joint degrees, higher education may choose an EQAR registered agency using the European Approach.

The accreditation decision (based on the external evaluation report) is taken by the Center for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC).

EQAR registration

Limited to cluster programme evaluations

​The final decision is taken by the Ministry based on the result of the expert's assessment.​

​EQAR registration; the agency is selected by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.​​

​The agency has to follow the accreditation criteria set out in the legal framework of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.​

​For the external evaluation of private higher education institution the following requirements apply:

• The European Approach is available to the University of Luxembourg. Due to its “self-accrediting” status the University of Luxembourg can employ the European Approach for its programmes. 
• Other Luxembourg higher education institutions that require external programme accreditation cannot use the European Approach.

The final decision is taken by the MFHEA on the result of the accreditation procedure.

Prior approval by the MFHEA is required for suitability, language proficiency, capacity and experience. The audit process and the terms of reference must be reviewed and approved by MFHEA before the audit process begins.

The external quality assurance agency has to follow the accreditation criteria set out in the national legislation governing further and higher education and, therefore, also all relevant regulations and communications issued by MFHEA.

Programme audits can be carried out directly by a panel experts appointed by MFHEA or by an EQAR-registered external agency.

According to confirmation by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment, in case of joint programmes higher education institutions may opt for a programme audit by a suitable EQAR-registered agency, using the agreed standards of the European Approach.

EQAR registration is sufficient.

Moldova's legal framework (Education Code art.113,115) allow higher education institutions to choose/accept a review by an EQAR-registered agency using the European Approach.

The decision on institutional re-accreditation is taken by the Council based on the results and recommendations of the report.

The agency is selected following a public call launched by the ministry. The decision on the selected agency is taken by the Ministry of Education in consultation with the Council. The costs of the evaluation are covered by the institution.  

In 2017, Netherlands started its second round of institutional audits that will focus more on the realisation of the educational vision and the development of a quality culture.

NVAO will take the final decision of based on the result of the assessment / accreditation procedure.

the QA agency must agree its Terms of Reference with the Accreditation Organisation for the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) and the panel secretary must be trained by NVAO.

for programme accreditation only (with the exception of initial accreditation).

The recognition procedure for joint degrees is further integrated with the process of assessment for (initial) accreditation

• No, the European Approach is not available to higher education institutions in the country.

The European Approach is available to institutions not subject to programme accreditation.

the Polish Accreditation Commission (PKA, the national QA agency) takes into account the accreditations and certificates obtained through the evaluation by the foreign agency in selected areas of education.

EQAR registration

• HEIs are required to be reviewed by an EQAR-registered agency in order to apply for the right to offer doctorate degrees.
• Foreign higher education institutions (HEIs) that have been accredited by any EQAR-registered agency have the right to establish branch HEIs or departments in Polish.
• Higher education institutions may have their programme evaluated by EQAR-registered agencies under certain conditions.

on a case by case decision, the Executive Board of A3ES may accept the result of the assessment / accreditation procedure at programme or institutional level from other QA agencies, as long as they follow the ESG.

the QA agency must be approved by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES) (see)

Generally yes, but only under certain conditions.

The field specific departments from ARACIS will check whether the review report followed the national methodology and legislation. The ARACIS Council will then validate the external review report, if the review process was carried out according to the national legislation (See Art. 4 of Ord 6154 of 21 December 2016).

Registration on EQAR is sufficient. Before initiating the review process, the QA agency has to consult the Romanian quality assurance agency (ARACIS) on the methodology and the terms of reference for the review (Ord. 6154 of 21 Dec 2016).

national criteria (see Methodology for External Evaluation, approved 25/11.01.2018)

Romanian higher education institutions can choose for their programme accreditation and periodic external evaluations the national QA agency, ARACIS or any other EQAR listed agency.

Yes, following the Emergency Ordinance no. 22/2021 on amending and supplementing the National Education Law no. 1/2011.

Due to “self-accrediting” status of their programmes, federal and national research universities are able to employ the European Approach.

Higher education in San Marino is offered by the University of the Republic of San Marino (in Italian: Università degli Studi della Repubblica di San Marino)

Higher education institutions can apply for cross-border quality assurance through any agency listed in EQAR or being member of ENQA. However, the quality assurance procedure must evaluate whether the internal quality assurance system aligns with the national standards. This evaluation is mandatory, ensuring that all higher education institutions are assessed against the same standards, while other criteria may apply for voluntary procedures. The final decision based on external review report will be made by the Slovak Accreditation Agency for Higher Education - SAAHE.

Slovak higher education institutions can use the European Approach without additional criteria. Each higher education institution could apply for:

• ​Accreditation of a single joint study programme by SAAHE, or
  
• Accreditation of a single joint study programme by an external EQAR-registered agency, or
  
• Use of institutional accreditation if all partner institutions posses institutional accreditation rights.
  

The European Approach can only be used for programmes where all partner higher education institutions involved are (institutionally or at programme level) accredited by EQAR-registered agencies (see Law on Higher Education, article 33.b and 33.c). 

A joint university study programmes between one or more Spanish universities and one or more foreign universities leading to official Spanish university degrees may use the European Approach provided that the country of the coordinating university has subscribed to this agreement (see Royal Decree of 28 September 2021).

the final accreditation decision is taken by the Swiss Accreditation Council.

higher education institutions may choose an EQAR-registered agency recognised by the Swiss Accreditation Council (see below)

The European Approach can be used by EQAR-registered agencies operating in the country.

Programs accredited by the agencies that are recognized or authorized by the THEQC are listed in the YKS Higher Education Programs and Placement Guideline (formerly named ÖSYS Higher Education Programs and Placement Guideline).

International quality assurance agencies that have been recognised by the Higher Education Quality Council of Türkiye (THEQC Regulation).

The agency's procedures are aligned with ESG 2015 and compatible with the National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education in Türkiye (NQF-HETR).

• Not applicable.

the final decision on accreditation of study programmes is equivalent to the accreditation by NAQA. The information about each accredited programme is entered into the Unified State Electronic Database on Education. See more under Chapter V of Regulations on Accreditation of Study Programmes in Higher Education (link below).

quality assurance agencies (other than NAQA) have to be approved by the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The order dates back to 10 July 2019 No. 554-p. The approved list is composed of EQAR-registered agencies which have been included in the Register before July 2019 (see approved list in the links included below). 

• No, the European Approach is not available to higher education institutions in the country.

All higher education institutions with degree awarding power are able to approve their own awards and therefore they can employ the European Approach for the quality assurance of their joint programme.

All higher education institutions with degree awarding power are able to approve their own awards and therefore they can employ the European Approach for the quality assurance of their joint programme.

All higher education institutions with degree awarding power are able to approve their own awards and therefore they can employ the European Approach for the quality assurance of their joint programme.

Welsh regulated providers must undergo a review from an EQAR Registered agency once in every six years.

Specific conditions related to the use of the Welsh language and alignment with the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales; use of the core and common practices within the Quality Code as well as characteristics statements and subject benchmark statements, where appropriate (see more in to Quality Assessment Framework for Wales)​    

All higher education institutions with degree awarding power are able to approve their own awards and therefore they can employ the European Approach for the quality assurance of their joint programme.