The challenges identified in the external assessment processes can in no case be an obstacle, among other reasons, in the promotion and implementation of joint programmes, a hallmark of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Specifically, the goal of the joint programmes is to improve the mobility of university students and staff, facilitate mutual learning and cooperation opportunities, and create programmes of excellence. In addition, they offer students a genuine European learning experience and also represent "unity" in the awarding of the degree.
In 2015, the ministers of higher education approved the European Approach (EA) at the Yerevan conference, with the aim of simplifying joint programme external assessment processes. This strategy focuses on setting standards based on the tools set out in the EHEA, without taking into account the application of additional national criteria, and on facilitating integrated approaches to quality assurance that reflect its joint nature.
AQU Catalunya is firmly committed to the principles of quality assurance established in the EHEA and, as a result, carries out assessments in accordance with the EA and recognises assessments by other agencies registered in the EQAR. AQU Catalunya has approved the procedure linked to the EA (briefly described in later sections of this article) and, to date, has already applied this methodology in two scenarios: the verification of a joint programme implemented in two different universities and the verification of a programme within the framework of the European Universities Initiative. Currently, the Agency has not yet applied the EA in any degree accreditation process.
What is the EA?
The European Approach has been developed with the aim of simplifying the external assessment of international programmes in which at least two EHEA countries participate. This procedure is applicable:
- If some of the cooperating higher education institutions require external quality assurance at programme level.
- In the contexts in which the HEIs are allowed to self-accredit their programmes (self-accrediting status). In this case, the EA can be a useful tool in internal quality assurance processes.
- In the case of programmes offered jointly with institutions outside the EHEA. In this case, it would be necessary to validate whether the national authorities of these countries would accept this approach and whether they would recognise the decision of an agency registered in the EQAR.
How many degree programmes would it apply to?
In total, 14% degree programmes in the Catalan university system (SUC) are joint, of which 20% are international. Joint degree programmes are more typical at master's and doctoral level.
Table 1. Analysis of the SUC degree programmes to which the European Approach would be applicable
Cycle | Number of programmes | Number of joint programmes | Number of international programmes | % joint programmes | % international/ joint |
Bachelor's | 540 | 15 | 0 | 2,8% | 0,0% |
Master's | 630 | 124 | 30 | 19,7% | 24,2% |
PhD | 252 | 58 | 10 | 23,0% | 17,2% |
Total | 1.422 | 197 | 40 | 13,9% | 20,3% |
While the number of joint degree programmes may seem small, it should be remembered that, on average, 6 or 7 institutions participate in each joint programme, with the number ranging from 3 to 14 participating universities. In fact, these 40 international programmes correspond to 242 degrees. A joint assessment therefore allows a significant saving of resources; but not only that, but it also increases the validity of the assessment, because its fundamental feature is taken into account.
What does it entail?
The European Approach contains three sections: the first sets out who would apply to, the second describes the nine assessment standards, and the third describes the external assessment procedure.
Regarding the external assessment procedure, the only differences with respect to the AQU Catalunya procedures are the following:
- All assessment processes, whether verification or accreditation, require an external visit.
- The review panel should include members from at least two countries involved in the consortium providing the programme. Collectively, the panel should possess knowledge of the HE systems of the HEIs involved.
- It is highly recommended that there be cooperation from the quality agencies of the different countries involved, in order to ensure that there are no problems with the official recognition of qualifications.
- The validity of accreditation under the EA, for all programmes, is six years.
What are the EA standards and how do they correspond to AQU Catalunya assessment standards?
Table 2 shows the correspondence between the nine EA standards and the AQU Catalunya assessment standards for verification and accreditation processes, in accordance with the document Conditions for the recognition by AQU Catalunya of joint programmes accreditations using the European Approach framework.
Taula 2. Standards and sub-standards of the European Approach and their correspondence with the standards of the AQU Catalunya verification and accreditation guides
European Approach | AQU ex-ante Accreditation | AQU ex-post Accreditation |
1 Eligibility | 1 Program description | — |
— | 2 Justification | — |
2 Learning Outcomes | 3 Knowledge, skills and competences | 1 Quality of the study programme 6 Quality of programme learning outcomes |
4 Admission and Recognition 6 Student Support | 4 Student admission and selection | 1 Quality of the study programme |
2 Learning Outcomes 3 Study Programme 5 Learning, Teaching and Assessment | 5 Study Programme | 1 Quality of the study programme |
7.1 Resources: staff | 6 Academic Staff | 4 Suitability of teaching staff for the study programme |
6 Student support 7.2 Resources: facilities | 7 Material resources and services | 5 Effectiveness of learning support systems |
— | 8 Expected results | — |
9 Quality assurance | 9 Quality assurance system | 3 Efficacy of the programme’s internal quality assurance system |
8 Transparency and Documentation | — | 2 Relevance of the public information |
2 Learning Outcomes 5 Learning, Teaching and Assessment | — | 6 Quality of programme learning outcomes |
What is the procedure to follow to make an assessment according to the EA?
The application must come from the coordinating university through the usual channels. When planning the programmes to be assessed, it must be defined that the assessment is to follow the EA procedure.
The methodology of the Guide and the External Assessment Template will be applied.
How does it work if the process is led by another EQAR-registered agency?
AQU Catalunya, in the document Conditions for the recognition by AQU Catalunya of joint programme accreditations using the European Approach framework, has established the conditions under which it will automatically recognise accreditations or verifications (ex ante accreditation) carried out by non-Catalan universities coordinating joint programmes.
AQU Catalunya will only recognise those assessments made in accordance with the EA by agencies registered with the EQAR. In the case of agencies or institutions, an agreement must be signed in order for the assessment carried out to be recognised by AQU Catalunya.
Other resources
ImpEA project support documents:
EQAR information on the EA:
For queries, please write to internacional@aqu.cat.