ShareNew version of the guide on IQAS certification
The main new feature of this guide is that it includes the possibility of certifying the internal quality assurance systems (IQAS) of the centres teaching PhD programmes and those that teach master's programmes for lifelong learning.
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We have published a new version of the Guide to internal quality assurance systems (IQAS) certification in higher education institutions, approved by the Institutional and Programme Review Commission on 12 July 2023.
The newest feature of the guide is the extension of the scope of certification to centres that teach PhD programmes and to higher education institutions that teach lifelong learning master's programmes. Additionally, the centres may decide to include in the scope of their management system other courses of study such as the specialisation diploma, the expert diploma, micro-credentials, etc.
The document also refers to the centres that offer study programmes in Arts, despite the fact that the legislation currently in force does carry the obligation to certify the implementation of their internal quality assurance systems; in these cases, certification is voluntary.
In terms of structure, the guide is essentially the same, but the names of some dimensions have been adjusted (Dimension 1: Quality policy and effectiveness of the IQAS; Dimension 2: Design, approval and implementation of study programmes; Dimension 3: Teaching, learning and student support; Dimension 4: Teaching staff; Dimension 5: Learning resources and services; Dimension 6: Public information and accountability, and the definition of standards, criteria or assessment scoring. Another dimension, Dimension 7: RDI and knowledge transfer, has been added, which is exclusively applicable to centres that offer PhD programmes.
Currently, 25% of the higher education institutions of the university system have had their IQAS certified, which is one of the indispensable prerequisites for applying for institutional accreditation.
This methodology will begin to be applied to certification processes with preliminary visits planned from January 2024. Certification processes with a visit prior to this date will carry out the certification process with the previous version of the guide.