Accreditation
Accrediting a new study programme means that the criteria in the regulations on quality assurance and the academic supervision regulations are considered to be met.
The university's Academic Affairs Committee makes decisions on accreditation based on the report from the expert committee, the Faculty's/Teacher Education Unit's response and the proposed programme description. The university’s Research and Innovation Committee provides an opinion on the accreditation of new PhD programmes before the Academic Affairs Committee processes the matter.
For the accreditation of degree-awarding study programmes, an external expert committee assesses whether the criteria in the regulations on quality assurance and academic supervision, as well as any additional requirements set by UiA, are fulfilled.
For the accreditation of one-year and half-year programmes, a simplified process is typically conducted, without an external expert committee.
External expert committee for accrediting new study programmes
The University Board, or the Rector on behalf of the Board, appoints members to the external expert committee based on recommendations from the Faculty/Teacher Education Unit. The committee should consist of two to three representatives from the higher education sector and, if necessary, one representative from industry and society.
The experts cannot have duties at UiA or other ties to the institution that would lead to a conflict of interest. The provisions in the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Act regarding the composition of committees must be adhered to.
For representatives from the higher education sector, the following academic qualifications are required:
- Bachelor’s programme: Minimum first-level qualification
- Master’s programme: Minimum associate professor qualification
- PhD programme: Professor qualification. At least one member must be affiliated with an international institution
Reaccreditation
The university’s Academic Affairs Committee makes decisions on reaccreditation based on the report from the periodic programme evaluation. Such evaluations are conducted for all study programmes and freestanding courses at least every 6 years.