ShareAQU Catalunya updates its position on thematic quality labels
The new position, approved by the Agency's Governing Board, prioritises compliance with European standards, views labels as a complementary tool and establishes the criteria for AQU Catalunya's participation in these processes.
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AQU Catalunya has updated its position on thematic quality labels, also known as labels. The review responds to developments in this area since the Agency's first position was approved in 2014, following the implementation of the new institutional accreditation model promoted by the Framework for improving institutional quality in the Catalan university system (QUALINS Framework), approved in 2025.
The new position, approved by AQU Catalunya's Governing Board on 14 July 2026, establishes that the Agency's priority is to ensure that Catalan universities and their study programmes comply with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG). This framework facilitates the mutual recognition of study programmes and the mobility of students and university staff. Since assessment and accreditation processes already ensure that the Catalan university system is aligned with the ESG, AQU Catalunya recommends that universities analyse the costs and benefits before beginning the process of obtaining a particular label.
Accreditation for specific labels
As a general criterion, the Agency will not seek accreditation as a certification body for specific labels, with the exception of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), due to its implications for the Catalan university system. However, AQU Catalunya may consider this possibility when there is no agency listed on the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) that awards the label or when collaboration between agencies is not feasible.
The Agency's new position also states that AQU Catalunya may fully or partially recognise assessments carried out by third parties as part of its accreditation processes. To make this possible, universities must inform the Agency, at the start of the process, of any degree programmes that hold a thematic label.
Complementary accreditations
Thematic labels are certificates awarded by specialised bodies to higher education institutions or study programmes according to previously established principles. These distinctions can complement official accreditations and usually assess aspects such as learning outcomes, content, teaching methodologies, assessment systems and internal quality assurance procedures. Although they generally have no legal recognition from educational authorities, labels can serve as a tool for institutional reputation and differentiation, as well as fostering reflection and the internal improvement of study programmes.
You can read AQU Catalunya's new position on thematic quality labels here.