Freie Universität Berlin is a “system accredited” university. What does that mean?
If the seal is our destination ...
Image Credit: Stiftung Akkreditierungsrat
On August 29, 2016, Freie Universität Berlin as an entire institution was awarded “system accredited” status – the first university in Berlin to receive this accolade. The decision of the accreditation agency, AQAS, followed an external evaluation process. It certified that Freie Universität Berlin’s quality management system ensures that degree programs meet quality standards, and that quality is continually maintained, monitored and improved.
It entitles the university to carry out internal accreditation for its degree programs for a specified period of time, rather than relying on an external accreditation process.
(All in German)
- Press release
- Certificate of system accredited status
- Final report
- Letter from AQAS confirming that Freie Universität Berlin has met all requirements
- German Accreditation Council
- Accreditation agency (AQAS)
Why does Freie Universität Berlin have to accredit its degrees? What are the aims and objectives of the process?
In Germany, the Interstate Study Accreditation Treaty of 2018 (German) stipulates that bachelor and master’s degree programs are legally subject to quality controls and must therefore be accredited.
Section 8a of the Berlin Higher Education Act (BerlHG) also stipulates that degree programs in Berlin must be regularly evaluated for quality.
Freie Universität Berlin continually adapts its quality management system in response to changing external and internal requirements. To ensure the system can be successfully implemented, the university also invests in expanding its internal structures.
On August 29, 2016, Freie Universität Berlin as an entire institution was awarded “system accredited” status – the first university in Berlin to receive this accolade. The decision of the accreditation agency, AQAS, followed an external evaluation process. It certified that Freie Universität Berlin’s quality management system ensures that degree programs meet quality standards, and that quality is continually maintained, monitored and improved.
It entitles the university to carry out internal accreditation for its degree programs for a specified period of time, rather than relying on an external accreditation process.
After the accreditation is before the accreditation.
Every degree program participates in the defined accreditation cycle. But the quality management system itself is also subject to a regular external evaluation procedure.
Overall responsibility for the reaccreditation process lies with the Executive Board and the Vice President for Teaching and studying. They are supported by university management, the departments and central institutes, and the central university administration.
The Division for Academic Affairs, especially the Quality Management Office, acts in a supportive and advisory role.
The current system reaccreditation process is being supervised by the Accreditation, Certification, and Quality Assurance Institute (ACQUIN). The accreditation decision rests with the German Accreditation Council Foundation.
What are the milestones in the current reaccreditation process?
Section 24 of the Berlin Degree Program Accreditation Process Act (BlnStudAkkV) stipulates that a recognized accreditation agency must oversee the reaccreditation process. Following a public tender process involving internal experts from the university, the Executive Board of Freie Universität Berlin awarded the contract to ACQUIN in June 2020.
The Accreditation Council has approved Freie Universität Berlin's application to extend the deadline of the current system reaccreditation by another year, until September 30, 2023. The system reaccreditation’s validity remains the same and will last until September 30, 2030.
Subsequently, the following schedule applies:
- July 2021: Submit the internal report
- September 2021: First visit (Sept. 9/10, 2021)
- September 2022: Second visit (Sept. 22/23, 2022)
- September 2023: Announcement of accreditation decision
In preparation for the system reaccreditation, an internal report was compiled containing information on university-wide quality objectives, their implementation in the curricula, as well as the review and implementation of formal and subject-related criteria pertaining to both degree programs and the quality management system as a whole.
The internal was compiled by the Quality Management Office in consultation with the departments and central institutes as well as the Advisory Board for Quality Assurance. In addition, students in particular were involved in preparing the report.
Read the internal report (FU network only)
Committee members:
- Prof. Dr. Roger Erb, Goethe University Frankfurt
- Prof. Dr. Thomas Hoffmeister, Universität Bremen
- Prof. Dr. Dr. Olga Pollatos, Ulm University
- Dr. Christian Ganseuer, Hochschule Koblenz
- Anna-Lena Puttkamer, University of Cologne, student
The first visit took place as a virtual event on September 9 and 10, 2021.
The second visit took place on September 22/23, 2022.
- Basis for the second visit: Supplementary and concretizing documents to illustrate the mode of operation and effects of the QM system at Freie Universität Berlin
- Review of degree program samples and selected criteria during a two-day virtual event
- Final report of the expert committee
Further information will be published here as it becomes available.
Further information will be published here as it becomes available.
Further information will be published here as it becomes available.
Further information will be published here as it becomes available.
How are members of the university involved in the accreditation process?
It’s good to talk.
Image Credit: Reinhard Görner
Advice and support
The Advisory Board for Quality Assurance in Teaching and Education established by the Academic Senate supervises the process. A working group of the advisory board with representatives from all status groups has provided important input for the development of the internal report.
Information
Information about the current status of the process, the previous steps and the next steps are continuously updated and made available on the QM web portal. In addition, the vice president Teaching, Learning, and Academic Development regularly provides information in the committees for the deans responsible for teaching and education.
Student involvement
We value the participation of students in quality assurance procedures and strive to to involve them in particular in this process. In order to better facilitate their involvment, we have set up the wiki "QM mit Studierenden" (“QA with Students”) – available internally at the university – and offer workshops and open discussion sessions. If you are interested, please contact us!