Accreditation is an external evaluation process based on specific, predefined, internationally accepted and previously published quantitative criteria and indicators, in compliance with the Principles and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) (ESG 2015).
The purpose of accreditation is to ensure quality in Higher Education, as well as to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the overall operation of HEIs.
Accreditation guarantees the quality of the programmes of study and the qualifications awarded, as well as the implementation of a quality strategy for continuous improvement of services provided by the Foundation.
The accreditation of a Study Programme ensures that the academic programme offered by the HEI meets all the formal requirements set out in the Quality Standard of the HAHE, and that the performance and competences of graduates of a particular course of study (learning outcomes) correspond to the expected professional qualifications required by society and labor market.
The accreditation includes a) internal evaluation by the HEI, through the Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) and b) external evaluation by a Committee of independent experts. The process focuses on the quality and effectiveness of IQAS, somehow shifting the focus from the evaluation of "inputs" to the evaluation of quality outcomes, "outputs" and, more specifically, to the achievement of the objectives of the IQAS.
