Study Programs
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Andorra (AQUA) ensures the quality of higher education in Andorra with a constant demand for quality and rigor derived from the demands of various social and labor groups. The evaluation system is the tool that allows us to adapt higher education to the framework of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) while ensuring continuous improvement in higher education processes. In this sense, AQUA aims to evaluate, accredit, and certify the quality of higher education according to the standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area, in coordination with higher education institutions.
The evaluation of the quality of higher education must be oriented towards continuous improvement of higher education according to the ESG (Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area), promoted by the European Higher Education Area.
Ex-ante Program Accreditation
Approval
The evaluation of study programs for their approval consists of an ex-ante evaluation of new programs. Its objective is to ensure that the theoretical projection of the study programs is solid and coherent and that it complies with the requirements of the European Higher Education Area, the Andorran Qualifications Framework (AQF), and Andorran regulations regarding higher education. The external evaluation process is summarized in a reasoned and binding report with a favorable or unfavorable outcome that establishes strengths, binding improvement actions, and improvement proposals to advance toward excellence. Favorable reports act as accreditation and are published to make them accessible to the academic community, external collaborators, and other interested parties.
The process of evaluating a study program for its approval follows the steps below:
Request
It is the responsibility of each higher education institution (HEI) to request the evaluation of new study programs to ensure they can be approved in due time. To request evaluation, HEIs must send a request and the study plan memorandum to AQUA by email (info@aqua.ad).
AQUA will respond to the request by proposing deadlines.
Acceptance of the request
AQUA has fifteen days to analyze and accept the request. Once accepted, the HEI must proceed with the payment of the fee attached to the acceptance document. The request is not processed until the fee payment is made.
Formal aspects review
AQUA reviews the formal aspects of the study plan memorandum. If any errors need to be corrected, AQUA notifies the HEI, which has ten days to resolve them.
Composition of the expert panel and calendar
AQUA proposes the composition of the expert panel according to the criteria established in Decree 63/2021, of February 24, 2021, approving the Regulation of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Andorra (AQUA). The HEI has five business days to challenge the members if deemed necessary and to confirm the schedule. In case of a challenge, AQUA has ten business days to propose a new composition of the expert panel.
Evaluation
The expert panel evaluates the study plan memorandum, and the Evaluation Commission issues the preliminary evaluation report within a maximum of two months from when the HEI provided the additional information requested in point 3 or from the payment of the fee.
The HEI has ten business days to provide allegations, modifications, or additional information related to the preliminary report.
The expert panel analyses the allegations, modifications, or additional information, and the Evaluation Commission issues the evaluation report within a maximum of two months of receiving it.
From the payment of the fee, AQUA must resolve the evaluation within a maximum of six months. If formal deficiencies are detected, the evaluation starts from the date the HEI submits the modified memorandum document, not from the payment of the fee.
Appeal
The HEI has the opportunity to appeal if deemed necessary.
*The guide used will be the one in force at the time the application for the evaluation of the study program is accepted.
- Law 14/2018, of June 21, on higher education
- Law 20/2021, of July 15, on the creation of the Andorran Qualifications Framework
- Law governing the Andorran educational system, dated June 9, 1994
- Decree of July 8, 2020, approving the Regulations for the organization of state higher education qualifications
- Decree 63/2021, of February 24, 2021, approving the Regulations of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Andorra (AQUA)
Program Follow-up
Monitoring
The evaluation of study programs for their monitoring consists of an ex-post evaluation of the approval or substantial modification, with indications for their continuous improvement. This evaluation is voluntary and focuses on the implementation of the study plan, taking as a reference the commitments of the approval and, if applicable, the modifications made up to that date.
The external evaluation process is summarized in a non-binding reasoned report that describes the weaknesses and strengths of the study plan and proposes improvements to advance toward excellence.
The process of monitoring a study program for its approval unfolds following the steps below:
Application
It is the responsibility of each higher education institution (HEI) to request the monitoring of study programs so that they can be approved in due time. To request monitoring, HEIs must submit an application and the memory of the study plan to be evaluated to AQUA via email (info@aqua.ad).
AQUA will respond to the request by proposing deadlines.
Acceptance of the Request
AQUA has fifteen days to analyze and accept the request. Once accepted, the HEI must proceed with the payment of the fee, which will be attached to the acceptance document. The request is not processed until the fee is paid.
Formal aspects review
AQUA reviews the formal aspects of the study plan memory, and if any errors need correction, it notifies the HEI, which has ten days to resolve them.
Composition of the expert panel and calendar
AQUA proposes the composition of the expert panel according to the criteria established in Decree 63/2021, of February 24, 2021, which approves the Regulation of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Andorra (AQUA). The HEI has five business days to challenge if deemed necessary, the panel members and to confirm the calendar. In case of a challenge, AQUA has ten business days to propose a new composition of the expert panel.
Schedule of visits and interviews
AQUA proposes a schedule of visits and interviews. This proposal will be agreed upon and completed by the HEI.
Evaluation
The expert panel evaluates the study plan memory, and the Evaluation Commission issues the preliminary evaluation report within a maximum period of two months from when the HEI provided the additional information requested in point 3 or from the payment of the fee.
Feedback and final evaluation
The HEI has ten business days to provide allegations, modifications, or additional information related to the preliminary report. The expert panel analyses the allegations, modifications, or additional information, and the Evaluation Commission issues the evaluation report within a maximum period of two months from when it received them.
Resolution
From the payment of the fee, AQUA must resolve the evaluation within a maximum period of six months. In case of formal deficiencies, the evaluation starts from the date the HEI submits the modified memory document, not from the payment of the fee.
Appeal
The HEI has the opportunity to appeal if deemed necessary.
*The guide used will be the one in force at the time the application for the evaluation of the study program is accepted.
- Law 14/2018, of June 21, on higher education
- Law 9/2016, of June 28, creating the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Andorra (AQUA)
- Law 20/2021, of July 15, creating the Andorran Qualification Framework
- Law on the organization of the Andorran educational system, of June 9, 1994
- Decree of July 8, 2020, approving the Regulation on the organization of state higher education qualifications
- Decree 63/2021, of February 24, 2021, approving the Regulation of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Andorra (AQUA)
Program Modification
Modification
According to Article 9 of Law 14/2018, of June 21, on higher education, state study programs are designed by higher education institutions (HEIs) and approved by the Government with prior accreditation from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Andorra (AQUA). Article 26 of the Decree approving the Regulation on the organization of state higher education qualifications (published in BOPA No. 91, dated 15-7-2020) establishes that substantial modifications to study programs leading to state degrees require prior accreditation from AQUA.
The modifications to study programs aim to keep state study programs up-to-date and may be motivated by an evaluation process, changes in teaching methodologies or the educational model, or an update of content, among other factors.
Modifications of study programs can be classified based on their scope:
- Non-substantial Modifications: These are minor modifications that enhance the degree without altering the nature, objectives, or structure of the study plan approved by the Government. They may involve updates to content or methodologies, etc.
HEIs can internally manage these modifications and implement them without the need for prior accreditation from AQUA. However, AQUA is available to HEIs to resolve doubts or provide advice on these modifications if required.
- Substantial Modifications: These are modifications that entail alterations to the nature, objectives, or structure of the study plan, or that affect any aspect regulated in the decree of the study plan approved by the Government.
These modifications require prior accreditation from AQUA.
Depending on their nature, substantial modifications can be addressed in two ways:
- Minor: These are substantial modifications that affect only the structure of the study plan in less than 30% of the teaching units but do not affect its nature and objectives. For example, this would include changes in course nomenclature or the rearrangement of courses within the temporal planning. These modifications must be officially communicated through a modification to the study plan published in the BOPA.
- Major: These are substantial modifications that affect the nature and objectives of the study plan or the structure of the study plan in more than 30% of the total credits leading to the degree. These modifications require the publication in the BOPA of a new study plan and the extinguishing of the old one.
The process of modifying a study program for its approval unfolds following the steps below:
Request
It is the responsibility of each higher education institution (HEI) to request the evaluation of new study programs so that they can be approved with sufficient time. To request evaluation, HEIs must submit a request and the study plan memorandum to AQUA via email (info@aqua.ad).
AQUA will respond to the request by proposing deadlines.
Acceptance of the request
AQUA has fifteen days to analyze and accept the request. Once accepted, the HEI must proceed with the payment of the fee attached to the acceptance document. The request is not processed until the fee is paid.
Formal aspects review
AQUA reviews the formal aspects of the study plan memorandum, and if any errors need correction, it notifies the HEI, which has ten days to resolve them.
Composition of the expert panel and calendar
If necessary, AQUA proposes the composition of the expert panel according to the criteria established in Decree 63/2021, of February 24, 2021, approving the Regulation of the Higher Education Quality Agency of Andorra (AQUA). The HEI has five business days to challenge any members if deemed necessary and to confirm the calendar. In case of a challenge, AQUA has ten business days to propose a new composition of the expert panel.
Evaluation
AQUA evaluates the modification proposal, and within a maximum period of two months from the provision of additional information requested from the HEI or the acceptance of the request, the Evaluation Commission issues accreditation or not for the modification.
If the modification is not accredited, the HEI has ten business days to provide allegations, modifications, or additional information related to the evaluated modification proposal.
AQUA will reassess the modification proposal. Within a maximum period of two months from the receipt of allegations, modifications, or additional information, the Evaluation Commission issues accreditation or not for the modification.
Appeal
The HEI has the opportunity to appeal if deemed necessary.
*The guide used will be the one in force at the time the application for the evaluation of the study program is accepted.
- Law 14/2018, of June 21, on higher education
- Law 9/2016, of June 28, on the creation of the Agency for Quality of Higher Education of Andorra (AQUA)
- Law 20/2021, of July 15, on the creation of the Andorran Qualifications Framework
- Law governing the Andorran educational system, dated June 9, 1994.
- Decree of July 8, 2020, approving the Regulation on the organization of state higher education qualifications.
- Decree 63/2021, of February 24, 2021, approving the Regulation of the Agency for Quality of Higher Education of Andorra (AQUA)
Ex-post Program Accreditation
Renewal
The evaluation of study programs for renewal consists of an ex-post evaluation of approval or substantial modification. This evaluation focuses on the implementation of the study plan, using approval commitments as a reference, and, if applicable, modifications made up to that date.
The external evaluation process is synthesized in a reasoned report with a binding outcome, either favorable or unfavorable, which establishes strengths, binding improvement actions, and proposals for advancement toward excellence.
The evaluation process of a study program for its renewal unfolds following the steps below:
Request
It is the responsibility of each higher education institution (HEI) to request the renewal of study programs for timely approval. To request renewal, higher education institutions must submit a request to AQUA along with the self-report and updated memorandum of the study plan to be evaluated via email (info@aqua.ad).
AQUA will respond to the request by proposing deadlines
Acceptance of the request
AQUA has fifteen days to analyze and accept the request. Once accepted, the HEI must proceed with the payment of the fee attached to the acceptance document. The request is not processed until the fee payment is made.
Formal aspects review
AQUA reviews the formal aspects of the study plan memorandum, and if any errors need to be corrected, it notifies the HEI, which has ten days to resolve it.
Composition of the expert panel and calendar
AQUA proposes the composition of the expert panel according to the criteria established in Decree 63/2021, of February 24, 2021, which approves the Regulation of the Agency for Quality in Higher Education of Andorra (AQUA). The HEI has five business days to challenge if deemed appropriate, the members and to confirm the calendar. In case of a challenge, AQUA has ten business days to propose a new composition of the expert panel.
Chedule of visits and interviews
AQUA proposes a schedule of visits and interviews. This proposal will be agreed upon and supplemented by the HEI.
Evaluation
The panel of evaluators evaluates the memorandum of the study plan, and the Evaluation Committee issues the preliminary evaluation report within a maximum period of two months from when the HEI has provided the additional information requested in point 3 or from the payment of the fee.
The HEI has ten business days to submit allegations, modifications, or additional information related to the preliminary report.
The panel of evaluators analyses the allegations, modifications, or additional information, and the Evaluation Committee issues the evaluation report within a maximum period of two months from when it is received.
From the payment of the fee, AQUA must resolve the evaluation within a maximum period of six months. In case of formal deficiencies, the evaluation starts from the date the HEI submits the modified memorandum document, not from the payment of the fee.
Appeal
The HEI has the opportunity to appeal if deemed necessary.
- Evaluation guide for renewing study programs*
- ESG (Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area)
*The guide used will be the one in force at the time the application for the evaluation of the study program is accepted.
- Law 14/2018, of June 21, on higher education
- Law 9/2016, of June 28, on the creation of the Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education of Andorra (AQUA)
- Law 20/2021, of July 2015, on the creation of the Andorran Qualifications Framework
- Law on the organization of the Andorran education system, of June 9, 1994
- Decree of July 8, 2020, approving the Regulation on the organization of state higher education qualifications
- Decree 63/2021, of February 24, 2021, approving the Regulation of the Agency for Quality in Higher Education of Andorra (AQUA)