The regulations for the initial and periodic accreditation of universities establish different implementation methods and tools.

Initial accreditation consists of the authorization granted by the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) to establish a new university and its related study programmes (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Single-cycle Master’s, and PhD programmes). This authorization is issued by ministerial decree, in accordance with ANVUR’s evaluation of compliance with requirements related to teaching, research qualifications, infrastructure, organization, and financial sustainability.

Periodic assessment involves verifying the continued compliance with the requirements that led to the university’s initial accreditation, as well as the fulfillment of additional quality, efficiency, and effectiveness criteria in the activities carried out, also considering a set of qualitative and quantitative indicators. The periodic accreditation of universities takes place at least every five years and is formalized by a decree of the MUR based on the Evaluation Report prepared by ANVUR.