A quarterly publication of AQU Catalunya
The main aims of this methodology (and which truly reflect its joint nature) are to remove the obstacles to approving joint programmes posed by domestic regulations, and to facilitate an integrated approach in order to ensure quality.
In recent years, Catalan universities have increased their participation in international joint programmes, thereby demonstrating a firm commitment to internationalisation and excellence in education. This initiative has led to a rise in the number of international joint programmes submitted for external assessment via the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes, a methodology that was adopted by the ministers in charge of higher education in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in the Yerevan Communiqué in 2015. The main aims of this methodology (and which truly reflect its joint nature) are to remove the obstacles to approving joint programmes posed by domestic regulations, and to facilitate an integrated approach in order to ensure quality. The methodology was presented at the EQAF (European Quality Assurance Forum 2019).
At the national level, Additional Provisions 6 and 7 of Royal Decree 822/2021 of 28 September (which establishes the organisation of university education and the quality assurance procedure) have boosted the application of this approach and the removal of bureaucratic barriers.
As an agency registered in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR), ), AQU Catalunya is authorised to carry out external assessments of this type by applying the European Approach (EA). Since its first assessment in 2020, AQU Catalunya has assessed seven international joint programmes coordinated by Catalan institutions (or programmes of which Catalan institutions form part). At the international level today, European universities promote the teaching of joint programmes in order to create synergies at the institutional, research and social level, which in turn has led to increased demand for this type of assessment.
Evaluations using the European Approach as of 20/01/25 (Source: EQAR)
| Agency | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACCUA | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| ACSUCYL | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||
| AQU Catalunya | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | |||||
| UNIBASQ | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||||||
| AQ AUSTRIA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||
| AQAS | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 15 | ||||
| ZEvA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||
| ASHE | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| HCERES | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||
| NVAO | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 23 | ||
| Total | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 11 | 61 |
AQU Catalunya evaluations using the European Approach:
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From the perspective of the quality assurance agencies, this assessment process necessitates coordination among the various agencies involved, in order to report on the activation of the assessment process and identify any specific features on the part of the various national regulations. Additionally, this contact is necessary in order to select experts that represent not only a variety of national contexts, but also the knowledge areas that form part of the training programme in question. This process of coordination also makes it possible to exchange good practices and raise questions regarding the application of the methodology.
To facilitate this process, AQU Catalunya has updated its guide to ex-ante accreditation for joint programmes, which is now titled Guide to the accreditation of joint programmes using the European Approach. This revision brings the guide in line with the principles established in the Yerevan Communiqué (2015) and takes into account the standards of the ImpEA, project, as well as new trends in the EHEA.
Additionally, the Agency has published the Procedure for the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes: a document that guides universities through the various stages in the assessment of joint programmes and provides detailed guidance on applying the European Approach effectively..
The framework for improving the institutional quality of the Catalan Higher Education System (QUALINS Framework), approved by the AQU Catalunya Governing Board on 3 April 2025, refers to the application of the European Approach for assuring and improving the quality of international joint programmes, as it helps to boost the internationalisation of higher education and protects the interests of students who undertake international study.
AQU Catalunya encourages Catalan universities to follow the European Approach for international joint programmes, as it not only ensures the quality and international recognition of degrees, but also strengthens collaboration between higher education institutions in different countries; this, in turn, enhances the academic experience and facilitates mobility for both students and teaching staff.
Those universities that are interested can find all of the information they need, including the updated guide and detailed procedure, on the web of AQU Catalunya and can contact the Agency by sending an e-mail to internacional@aqu.cat. AQU Catalunya will then contact them in order to explain the steps that need to be taken and answer any queries they may have.