1. ENQA seminar: Programme oriented and institutional oriented approaches to quality assurance - New developments and mixed approaches Berlin, 13/14 June 2008 From programme to institutional approach: Germany Accreditation Council Foundation for the Accreditation of Study Programmes in Germany Achim Hopbach

2. Number 2 Background Accreditation in Germany: Historical context led to programme approach Implementation of Bachelor- and Master degrees Reform of state approval procedure

3. Number 3 Background Accreditation in Germany: Historical context led to programme approach Implementation of Bachelor- and Master degrees Reform of state approval procedure Controversies Programme approach too burdonsome and costly for HEI Improper approach for big HE system (Only 50% accredited by now) Tendency of persistence of programmes between accreditation procedures Little contribution to internal QA

4. Number 4 The request Request by the responsible 16 ministers: …submit a report on a possible development of the German accreditation system with view to a simplified accreditation procedure which reduces the HEIs burdon in case of having a reliable internal QA system in place. (22 September 2005) …submit a report which forms the basis for integrating a system accreditation procedure into the current accreditation system, and which means that a positive system accreditation decision signifies that all programmes that have undergone the certified management and QA procedures are automatically accredited. (1 February 2007)

5. Number 5 Object of accreditation Object of the system accreditation is the internal quality assurance system of a HEI in teaching and learning. The structures and processes relevant for teaching and learning are reviewed with regard to their appropriateness for achieving the qualification targets and for ensuring high quality, with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ESG), the Structural Guidelines of the KMK and the accreditation criteria applied. The principle: Object of accreditation

6. Number 6 Legal consequence A positive system accreditation attests the HEI that its quality assurance system in teaching and learning is appropriate to achieve the qualification targets and to ensure the quality standards of its programmes. Accordingly, programmes set up after system accreditation or that already have undergone internal quality assurance as specified by the accredited system are accredited. The principle – the legal consequences

7. Number 7 Pro: Rectors Conference Employers States (Laender) Con: Students Unions The discussion

8. Number 8 2 (plus 1) site visits The first site-visit: Collecting information (no reports!) about the HEI and its management systems Decision upon documents to be submitted additionally The second site-visit: Analysis of the documents Discussion with relevant partners Feature random sample Preliminary report The procedure

9. Number 9 Feature Random samples (approx. 3) An in-depth comparative review of relevant features of the concept of programmes, of the conduct of programmes and of its quality assurance. Programme Random samples (3rd site visit) In-depth reviews of 15% of the programmes, however, at least three programmes. The procedure

10. Number 10 Report The expert group for system accreditation prepares a final report with their decision recommendation for system accreditation. In particular, the experts assess whether the deficiencies in quality identified in the feature and programme random samples have a systemic reason. Decision The accreditation agency's decision is based on the experts' report and the decision recommendation, taking into account the HEI's response. It either grants accreditation or denies accreditation. Accreditation subject to conditions is not possible. The procedure

11. Number 11 Midterm review After the first half of the accreditation period a review is conducted according to the rules for programme random sample. Main task: feed back to HEI The report as well as a report on follow-up measures has to be submitted to the agency conducting the next system accreditation. The procedure

12. Number 12 1. Qualification targets 2. Management system in teaching and learning 3. Procedure of internal quality assurance (ESG part 1) 4. Reporting system and data collection 5. Responsibilities 6. Documentation The criteria

13. Number 13 Close link to programme accreditation Nevertheless accreditation decision on systemic level: High level of complexity through combining QA on both levels Scope: Mixture of QA-audit and institutional audit Strong enhancement oriented component System accreditation - Conclusions

14. Number 14 Close link to programme accreditation Nevertheless accreditation decision on systemic level: High level of complexity Scope: Mixture of classical QA audit and institutional audit Strong enhancement oriented component System accreditation as a pragmatic approach Core question about the reliability of results on the systemic level for assessing quality on the programme level System accreditation - Conclusions

15. Number 15 Thank you for your attention! Dr Achim Hopbach www.akkreditierungsrat.de hopbach@akkreditierungsrat.de