The procedure outlines the steps for the initial accreditation or evaluation of international joint study programmes under the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes (EA), enabling a single, integrated quality assurance process based on the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG).
This procedure applies to joint study programmes at first-cycle (Bachelor), second-cycle (Master), and third-cycle (Doctoral) levels, developed and delivered jointly by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from at least two countries belonging to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). It is valid for new programmes seeking initial accreditation or existing ones undergoing periodic review. For periodic review procedures, the SER and the site visit focus in particular on the results achieved, performance indicators, and the implementation of previous recommendations; the timeline may be shortened accordingly.
The main phases of the evaluation procedure are as follows:
- Preliminary consultation
The lead institutions initiate preliminary consultation with ANVUR in its capacity as an agency registered with EQAR. ANVUR informs the national quality assurance (QA) agencies of the institutions jointly offering the study programme or doctoral programme of the assignment received.
- Signing of ToR and application submission
ANVUR reviews eligibility of the Consortium and the proposal and confirms the formal acceptance of the request, appointing a contact officer for support.
The University coordinating the joint programme must submit the application to ANVUR through a dedicated platform. ANVUR will accept applications submitted no later than ten months before the expiry of the joint programme’s current accreditation or recognition as a new joint programme.
- Kick-off meeting
The virtual kick-off meeting will mark the official start of the evaluation process and will be essential for aligning all participants (evaluators, institutions evaluated, coordination agency, national agencies) on the goals and structure of the evaluation procedure.
- SER preparation
The consortium jointly prepares the SER, whose structure aligns with the 9 standards of the EA. The report should present the programme structure, governance model, curriculum design, student services, and internal QA mechanisms (including specifications related to the legislative contexts). It should be concise (30-40 pages), written in English, and include annexes with relevant documentation. The SER must be submitted to ANVUR at least two months ahead of the site visit.
- Panel composition
ANVUR appoints a panel of 4–5 independent international experts, ensuring disciplinary, stakeholders, and geographic balance. National agencies of the HEIs in the consortium may suggest experts, but ANVUR retains full authority for selection and appointment.
- External review/ Site visit
The panel conducts a desk review of the SER, followed by a site visit during which it interviews coordination team, academic staff, students, technical staff, relevant administrative personnel, and other stakeholders.
- Draft Report
The Review Panel drafts a comprehensive assessment report, structured according to the 9 EA standards and providing for each quality standard a judgment of compliance/partial compliance/non-compliance.
- Consortium institutions’ counterarguments
Institutions have 30 days starting from the sending of the draft report to suggest factual corrections or counterarguments. After that, the report is submitted to ANVUR prior to finalisation.
- Final Report and Recommendations
All inputs are reviewed by the panel experts, who draft a final report. The report also includes final recommendations and conditions.
- Check and validation by ANVUR
Before being validated, the final report undergoes an internal quality check by ANVUR to ensure formal completeness, internal consistency, clarity, technical accuracy, and compliance with procedures, without modifying the judgments and recommendations made by the panel.
- Final Decision
The final report expresses the accreditation decision. ANVUR issues the formal decision, which may be of accreditation, accreditation with conditions, or non-accreditation. Final report is published on the ANVUR’s website and uploaded into DEQAR. Transparency is ensured as Final report is published unless exceptions apply.