1. Quality Assurance in Higher Education and VET
Olav Aarna
Kutsekoda, Member of the Board
22 October 2010
Kutsete süsteemi arendamist toetab Euroopa Liit

2. Quality assurance in higher education
Legal framework:
University Act (1995)
Applied HEIs Act (1998)
HE standard - basic requirements for study programmes and institutions
Two periods/two models:
(naive aposteriori model)
(advanced apriori model)

3. Naive aposteriori model (1995-2008)
Aim – to get rid of low standard programmes and HEIs
A programme could be accredited only after at least 2/3 of nominal study period
Accreditation (full, conditional, not accredited) of:
study programmes (about 2/3 were accredited)
institutions (very limited number was accredited)
Higher Education Quality Assessment Council
The model failed to meet expectations (expensive, non- efficient)

4. Advanced apriori model (2009-....)
Aim – to develop sustainable quality assurance (QA) system combining internal QA at HEIs with regular external assessment
On 1 January 2009, the Estonian Higher Education Quality Agency (EHEQA) was formed for carrying out quality assurance procedures and accreditations
EHEQA has to undergo international accreditation
Transition period ( )
Normal functioning ( )

5. Advanced apriori model (cont.)
Transition assessment:
On the basis of an assessment of all study programme groups the Government of the Republic issues to HEI, for an undetermined or determined period of time (one to three years), the right to conduct studies in the relevant study programme group and to issue corresponding academic degrees and diplomas
Since 1 January 2012, HEI may issue state recognized graduation documents only if the right to conduct studies has been granted for the study programme group
HEI has to undergo accreditation process every 6 years

6. Quality assurance in VET (present model)
Licencing of study programmes in private and municipal VET institutions based on documents
Internal QA in VET institutions:
Permanent internal auditing
Periodic compilation of self-assessment reports (3 years)
Periodic external assessment by Examinations and Qualifications Centre:
Based on self-assessment reports and site visits performed by external assessors
No explicit accreditation

7. Quality assurance in VET (new model)
Quality assurence model for VET will be similar to higher education
Licencing for study programme groups and accreditation combined:
Full accreditation for 6 years
Conditional accreditation for 1-3 years
No accreditation
No transition assessment needed
Functions of Higher Education Quality Agency extended

8. Thank you! olav.aarna@kutsekoda.ee