AQU moves forwards with the proposed procedure for the accreditation of doctoral studies
During 2021, AQU Catalunya will review 116 doctoral programmes for accreditation purposes.
In order to undertake the procedure with assurances of quality and in a sustainable way, AQU proposes to adapt the general accreditation procedure to doctoral studies as a way of reducing both the number of site visits and review reports. This procedure is set out in the Guide to the accreditation of recognised doctoral studies.
The proposal, which has been referred to university vice-rectors responsible for quality and directors of doctoral studies at universities and other HEIs in Catalonia, consists of dividing the procedure into two stages: an initial broad-based cross-discipline evaluation and review followed by a specific review of each doctoral programme.
- In the cross-discipline stage, an external review planel carries out an evaluation of the aspects common to all programmes delivered by the institution in its school of doctoral studies, where one exists. This will cover the following:
o Dimension 1. Quality of the study programme (only the standards applicable across all doctoral programmes)o Dimensions 2. Relevance of public informationo Dimension 3. Efficacy of the internal quality assurance systemo Sub-dimension 4.3. Thesis direction and tutoringo Sub-dimension 5.2. Services available to students
- In the specific programme stage, a different external review panel evaluates all of the other aspects not reviewed in the cross-discipline stage:
o Dimenion 1. Quality of the study programme (excluding the standards applicable to all doctoral programmes and assessed in the cross-discipline stage)o Dimension 4. Teaching staff proficiency (except point 4.3) o Sub-dimension 5.1. Physical resourceso Dimension 6. Quality of learning outcomes
In the specific individual programme stage, an adapted version of the accreditation guide will be used as follows:
- Programmes will be grouped according to disciplinary affinity up to a maximum of five.
- Each programme then produces a self-evaluation report on the aspects detailed in the previous section (specific stage dimensions). This self-evaluation has to include an improvement plan.
- The institution's school of doctoral studies then makes one document with all ther self-evaluation reports, which it sends to AQU.
- The site visit is preferably made once the cross-disciplinary report has been completed. In any case, it will begin once the preliminary cross-disciplinary report has been issued.
- The focus groups may take place via video conferencing.
- The reports by the external review panels will need to include the evaluation aspects contained in the cross-discipline report. These may be commented on provided that there is evidence that the delivery of a specific programme has been different to what has been specified in the cross-discipline stage.
In cases where an institution has no school of doctoral studies, the review and evaluation process is to follow the procedure laid down in the Guide, with programmes being grouped by AQU Catalunya according to disciplinary affinity.